Platforming may be thee wrong word to describe the other type of puzzles in the game because there is no jumping in Hyper Light Drifter. After a while, you will begin to decode some of the more subtle aspects of the level design which will make finding the hidden areas much, much easier and reduces this aspect of the game to scouring rooms looking for specific design elements indicating a chest, key, hidden gun or character skin. Most of them consist of either finding an entrance to a hidden area or a platforming challenge. The crown jewels in the combat of Hyper Light Drifter are the boss fights without spoiling too much, each one is is a bit of a riff on a classic action game boss type, except somewhat more difficult and impeccably designed.Ĭompared to the combat of Hyper Light Drifter, the game’s puzzles suffer somewhat. The number of enemy types is fairly small, but the ways that the game mixes those types make each combat challenge unique and keeps things interesting throughout. Because any enemy in the game is fully capable of killing the player’s character, especially in the early game before key upgrades are unlocked, every enemy encounter is a balancing act between dealing and avoiding damage both from enemies and environmental hazards. Finishing a sword combo leaves you open to attack and ammunition for the pistol, or other guns found throughout the game, is recharged by doing damage to enemies or destructible objects in the environment. The game starts players off with a sword with a three-hit combo and a five shot pistol. Of those two activities, combat is where the game really shines. Like most games of the type, Hyper Light Drifter is essentially a mix of combat challenges and puzzles. Every stylistic choice works together to make a game that is as beautiful as it is mysterious.ĭig beneath the surface of Hyper Light Drifter, and you’ll find that the gameplay has as much to offer as the stylistic aspects of the game. Strong choices are made all around from the striking jewel-tone color pallet to the intricate detail of the pixel art, to the completely wordless cutscenes, and right down to the brooding, atmospheric soundtrack. The most conspicuous aspect of Hyper Light Drifter is the overall style of the game’s presentation. The award is well deserved because the game is by far one of the best looking, most polished, best playing games released this year. Hyper Light Drifter is a 2D action game with RPG elements that was released earlier this year and recently won the Jury Choice Award at IndieCade 2016. Games like Hyper Light Drifter don’t come along too often and that’s unfortunate.
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