Hyper Light Drifter

Overview

I am on my second playthrough of Hyper Light Drifter, and I'm still obsessively piecing together what happened in the opening cutscene. I can't think of a world in games that has ever been built this intricately out of pure abstraction, without the crucial foundation of explicit exposition beneath it. It replaces traditional narrative structures with moods, but punctuates those contemplative, quiet moments with constant scenes of breakneck, pitch-perfect action. Getting those two elements to not only coexist but thrive together is a needle that Hyper Light Drifter confidently threads.

-- As reviewed by Polygon

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 14 expert reviews

Excellent:

8
Good:

6
Average:

0
Bad:

0

8.4

User Score

Based on 12,056 reviews
as rated by users

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Last revision on December 28, 2021

Reviewers Liked

Skillfully depicts a colorful, beautiful, ruined world
Remarkable world-building and tone
Combat purity

Reviewers Didn't Like

Sense of perspective can sometimes confuse
Occasional framerate dip
Abstract storytelling

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Expert reviews and ratings

After the canned PlayStation Vita version of the game, it’s wonderful to finally be able to play Hyper Light Drifter on the go. The developer has pretty much stated that in its mind, the Switch version is the definitive version of the game – and you can tell. With elements that make it smoother for newcomers on top of everything that made the base game great, this is a port that truly feels at home on Switch, despite the occasional drop of frames.

By TrustedReviews on September 11, 2018

Filled with secrets to be found, and strong foundation on core combat, Hyper Light Drifter is a deep experience. Fun for a seven hour journey of exploration, or many more hours for completion, it offers plenty of value and enjoyment for its price.Hyper...

By lazygamer.net on August 04, 2016

Hyper Light Drifter isn't perfect, but it has a lot going for it. The subtlety of the story is admirable, but sometimes the meaning can get lost. Gameplay hits all the right notes between tough combat, spectacular boss fights, and exploration. Despite...

By Gaming Illustrated on May 24, 2016

Platforms: PC (Reviewed), PS4, Xbox One, PS Vita, Wii U, Linux, Ouya, Mac OSHyper Light Drifter is a game often compared to Zelda, but it's a comparison that is perhaps misguided. Yes, it is a top down action game where you travel over a large...

By gamecrate.com on April 29, 2016

Hyper Light Drifter is a gorgeous, trendy hunk of stylish old-school sensibilities mated with the iconic hues of pixelated indie charm. It's a return to simpler control schemes, building on sound mechanical fundamentals rather than trying to wow with...

By in.ign.com on April 14, 2016

By ap.ign.com on April 14, 2016

By ign.com on April 14, 2016

A hallmark of excellence. It may have some flaws, but they are negligible to what is otherwise a supreme title. How we score: The Destructoid Reviews...

By Destructoid on April 11, 2016

Hyper Light Drifter's setting is so beautiful, so haunting, that I long to know all I can about it. I wish to hear the stories its citizens tell of the world it once was, and the one it might become. I want to hear the music that they sing, and see the...

By GameSpot on April 06, 2016

I missed as much as I saw, however. That's my feeling as I now hover over the New Game Plus mode on the menu. So much loot I left behind, a few weapons I failed to track down, a few monoliths I couldn't activate, a sweep of doors whose incremental keys I never really started to collect. Out there, I suspect, is at least one more ending. And then there are the empty prompts: the areas whose purpose I couldn't fathom, the rooms I couldn't find an entry-point to.

By EuroGamer on April 06, 2016

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Hyper Light Drifter

Overview

Pros & Cons

Reviews

Price: $20

TechSpot Metascore

User Score

Reviewers Liked

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Expert reviews and ratings