Hyper Light Breaker represents Heart Machine’s bold evolution from their acclaimed title, Hyper Light Drifter, which won the hearts of gamers with its engaging gameplay, rich storytelling, and striking visual design. Rather than simply replicating the success of its predecessor, Heart Machine has chosen to embark on a fresh journey with Hyper Light Breaker. This new installment showcases a lively 3D art style that pays homage to the original while introducing a more dynamic visual experience that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
Game Rant recently had the opportunity to dive into the co-op gameplay of Hyper Light Breaker, teaming up with two members from the Heart Machine team. This experience allowed us to explore the various aspects of the game that shine when played in a group setting. In contrast to our previous hands-on preview, which focused solely on solo gameplay and the intricacies of the combat system, this session with friends truly showcased the game’s strengths in cooperative play.
Exploring Hyper Light Breaker’s Hub
We began our preview by exploring the central hub of the game, known as The Cursed Outpost. This vibrant area serves as a key point for players to engage with a variety of non-playable characters (NPCs) who are integral to the game’s meta-progression system. Here, players can find vendors offering a range of equipment that allows them to customize and enhance their builds for the current adventure. The layout of the hub is designed for convenience, with the most crucial NPCs located just a short distance from one another, making it easy to adjust and optimize our character’s setup before venturing into the Overgrowth.
In this setting, the key non-playable character is Pherus Bit, who offers players the opportunity to select their SyComs. These SyComs serve as robotic allies for the Breakers, playing a crucial role in shaping their character builds by determining their fundamental statistics and distinctive passive skills. Although choosing a SyCom does guide a Breaker towards a specific class archetype, the game does not enforce a strict class system beyond this initial selection.
In addition, we have the option to utilize a unique currency that we discover during our gameplay sessions to acquire EXE Abilities at this location. These abilities represent the meta-progression enhancements in Hyper Light Breaker, which remain effective across different roguelike runs, unlike the weapons and gear that reset. By investing in these upgrades, players can unlock valuable benefits that enhance the Breaker’s stamina, allow for the carrying of extra medkits, and extend the duration of the hoverboard, among other advantages
After we wrapped up our adventure in the hub, we made our way to the teleporter pad to assemble our team. The cooperative gameplay in Hyper Light Breaker embraces a welcoming drop-in, drop-out style, allowing players to join and leave seamlessly. Each player’s loot is uniquely instanced, meaning that everyone can enjoy their own rewards. This setup encourages friends to jump into each other’s games whenever needed, providing support during challenging boss encounters before they can effortlessly return to their own individual journeys.
Hyper Light Breaker Has Impressive Build Variety
In our initial exploration, we decided to try out Goro along with his Sniper SyCom. While Goro may not have the same durability as some of the other characters, his explosive ability to drop cubes that crush foes quickly made him a standout choice for us. The sheer impact of his attacks and the chaos he can create on the battlefield turned him into an immediate favorite among our team.
In our exploration, we encountered a variety of Amps, which are crucial pieces of equipment that can significantly shape our gameplay experience. Each Amp offers unique and potent active abilities that can turn the tide of battle. For instance, one Amp grants players the ability to deploy grenades, while another one can call forth a temporary drone to assist in combat. We even discovered an Amp that not only creates a protective shield but also enables us to heal while dealing damage to our foes.
To conclude, we have the option to enhance our arsenal with Holobytes. These unique pieces of gear provide a robust range of passive benefits that are essential for crafting an effective character build. A standout example of a Holobyte is the Boost Shell, which enabled us to deflect incoming projectiles back at our foes during a dash. This kind of interactive feature is common among Holobytes, making them a key element in combat and catering to diverse playstyles.
Hyper Light Breaker’s Roguelike Loop Is Great With Friends
The main goal of every run in Hyper Light Breaker is to take down the three formidable Crown bosses. However, it’s equally crucial to delve deep into the Overgrowth, as this exploration plays a significant role in our meta-progression and equips us better for the upcoming battles. To maximize our efficiency, we sketched out a preliminary path that includes key landmarks we want to check out while making our way to the first Crown.
In contrast to numerous roguelikes that impose a sense of urgency on players, Hyper Light Breaker adopts a unique approach to difficulty that is primarily influenced by player achievements. This design choice creates a more equitable experience, as it rewards those who are performing well instead of penalizing those who may already be facing challenges. This shift in focus allows players to feel a sense of accomplishment and progression, making the game more engaging and enjoyable.
The combat experience in Hyper Light Breaker is both intense and lethal, requiring more than just simple hacking and slashing to succeed. Even when teaming up with two other players, we found that skillful play was essential. Mastering the art of parrying and executing our dashes with impeccable timing became crucial for our survival in the heat of battle. The frenetic pace of the game demands a high level of coordination and strategy, making every encounter a thrilling challenge.
Hyper Light Breaker’s Crown Bosses Emphasize Group Dynamics
The Overgrowth is teeming with a diverse array of adversaries, ranging from massive elite foes that act as minibosses to nimble aerial enemies that challenge our precision with a pistol. Each encounter is designed to present unique challenges, pushing us to adapt our strategies and utilize our abilities effectively. The variety of enemies ensures that no two battles feel the same, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging as we navigate through the different threats.
Fighting the Crowns was certainly the highlight of our preview, and the versatility in their design should keep them interesting through multiple runs as players face them with new builds. It took us a little under an hour to wrap up a successful run, which feels like a comfortable pace for a multiplayer roguelike game.
Hyper Light Breaker emerges as a fantastic choice for friends looking to dive into a gaming experience reminiscent of Risk of Rain 2. The game is designed to facilitate easy group play, allowing players to quickly gather and embark on their adventures together. With its emphasis on exploration, players can take their time to uncover the game’s secrets, creating a relaxed yet thrilling atmosphere that echoes the spirit of adventure found in Hyper Light Drifter.