Hyper Light Drifter Reviews

Hyper Light Drifter is ranked in the 91st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Aug 17, 2016

I can see why some people like 'Hyper Light Drifter'. Its combination of nostalgia, pretty pixels, and cruel gameplay are an intoxicating drug to some. I'm not one of those people, unfortunately. As I played I felt like the annoying moviegoing companion, always asking for an explanation of events onscreen from fellow viewers also watching for the first time, equally mystified.

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Ray Carsillo
Top Critic
5.5 / 10.0
Aug 2, 2016

There's some strong core gameplay to Hyper Light Drifter, but not much else. Unfortunately, no amount of nostalgia is going to make up for that.

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6 / 10
Aug 4, 2016

The trouble with Hyper Light Drifter is that it's frequently just too obscure and too difficult to truly enjoy

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games(TM)
games™ Team
Top Critic
6 / 10
Jun 7, 2016

Gorgeous, but more frustrating than fun

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7 / 10.0
Apr 5, 2016

Hyper Light Drifter shows a lot of potential thanks to its great combat and solid world building. Where it falls flat is its miserable starting area, boring exploration and inconsequential plot.

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7.2 / 10.0
Apr 9, 2016

Hyper Light Drifter undoubtedly stands tall amongst its competition, as not only one of the best retro-inspired indie games to date, but simply one of the better overall indie games I've had the pleasure of playing.

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IGN
Top Critic
7.6 / 10.0
Apr 13, 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 new ways of interaction within each and every checkpoint. Though its wordless storytelling took some of the thrill out of completing the campaign, Hyper Light Drifter is a joy to play, (and replay in the new game plus mode) its mechanical excellence and stylish veneer.

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7.8 / 10.0
Apr 29, 2016

Hyper Light Drifter is a fantastic and unique experience that deserves to stand on its own merits, outside of Zelda's shadow.

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Andy Kelly
Top Critic
78 / 100
Apr 1, 2016

Stylish, beautiful, and uncompromising, Hyper Light Drifter is as rewarding as it is frustrating.

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Sep 24, 2018

Hyper Light Drifter's a tough game and for that, it won't be for everyone. But if it already has your interest, your admiration, or your love, then it has – all hyperbole aside – found a perfect home on the Nintendo Switch.

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8 / 10
Dec 29, 2016

[Hyper Light Drifter] imaginatively exudes...personal ruminations on loneliness, pain, and temporality across its story, visuals, and audio. However, silver linings of beauty and perseverance can be found between the dark lines of its thematic consistency. Further substance comes from its full world that will quicken your heart rate with its hyper combat or lower it with calming treks and views that captivate. This is an adventure that may feel too safe and even aimless for differing reasons, but you'll never want to lose sight of the light on the horizon that compels you to keep wandering…drifting onward.

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4 / 5.0
Sep 27, 2018

While the story and graphics didn't strike me in the right way, the gameplay and challenge were fantastic. It's hard to make a comparison with this game, but that is due to its uniqueness and style.

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Sep 11, 2016

As soon as I am given the reins I am instantly amazed by the beautiful pixel art and the character animations are gorgeous. The movement is fluid and combat move animations just flow so well.

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80 / 100
Apr 7, 2016

Out of the void, Hyper Light Drifter meticulously crafts a post-apocalyptic samurai story, one that bends and folds the tenets of zen's vivid ambience alongside the warrior path of bushido, something familiar yet fresh, quiet yet resonant.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 30, 2016

A perfect example of learning by playing - Hyper Light Drifter offers a unique experience of exploration and discovery in a beautiful world with a well paced challenge, even if you still have no idea what's going on by the end.

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8 / 10.0
Apr 11, 2016

A mysterious obtuse premise and frustrating-at-times combat both hinder and bolster the appeal of Hyper Light Drifter. It's not the successor of Zelda but it's still an incredibly well-designed, beautiful action adventure title.

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Apr 1, 2016

It leaves the combat to speak for the story and trusts its murderer's row of cool ideas to, well, murder players.

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Metro GameCentral
Top Critic
8 / 10
Apr 6, 2016

Beautiful presentation and an intriguing open world environment, but the misjudged difficultly level is just too punishing.

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Apr 12, 2016
Hyper Light Drifter - Easy Allies Review video thumbnail
8.2 / 10.0
Aug 4, 2016

Every now and again a game is more than the sum of its parts; Hyper Light Drifter is a game that is precisely the sum of its parts. Taking inspiration from the very best, Preston and his team at Heart Machine have delivered an experience that shines. Occasionally obscured by the lack of a coherent visual language, the game relies on your willingness to invest a little bit of your head, your heart, and your guts and bravado. Given how good Hyper Light Drifter is, I don't think you'll find that very hard.

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