Hyper Light Breaker Gameplay Preview: Exploring the Promising Roguelite Prequel

Hyper Light Breaker, the much-anticipated sequel to Hyper Light Drifter, is set to launch on Steam Early Access on January 14. While it marks the second installment in the franchise, it actually takes place as a prequel, unfolding many years before the original game. Recent previews have revealed exciting gameplay features and provided insight into the developers’ vision for the future of the game.

My initial encounter with Hyper Light Breaker occurred during the Summer Game Fest last year, where I had a brief thirty-minute session. However, my latest gameplay session lasted about an hour and featured a three-player co-op experience alongside two members of the development team. This setup significantly enriched the gameplay experience—whereas the earlier playthrough was primarily guided, collaborating with other players added strategic depth to combat and offered unique insights along the way.

Exploring the World of Hyper Light Breaker

A Neon-Saturated, Procedurally Generated Environment

Character Walking in Hyper Light Breaker

The game currently features two key areas that will see updates throughout early access. The first is the Overgrowth, which encompasses three distinct biomes, while the Outpost offers three different vendors. This vibrant region, rich in neon hues reminiscent of its predecessor, encourages players to engage in exploration. Unlike many roguelite titles, Hyper Light Breaker allows players to revisit this expansive, procedurally-generated world multiple times using “charges,” thanks to its considerable size.

Traversal mechanics add an exhilarating layer to gameplay—with features like vertical jump pads leading to hidden treasures, including gear and the in-game currency, Bright Blood. These items often unlock pieces of memories, continuing the narrative style established in the original game through visual storytelling. Players can also utilize a glider to cross wide gaps, enriching the exploration experience.

As gamers navigate through the Overgrowth, they will face foes while accumulating gear. Notably, a Danger Meter steadily rises during their journey. Once it reaches maximum capacity, players encounter significant challenges such as swarms of enemies or formidable assassins. This design element emphasizes the need to strike a balance between making progress and managing escalating difficulty. The world operates on a Cycle system, where overcoming major bosses, or Crowns, or depleting lives resets the Overgrowth, generating an entirely new map.

Enhancing Runs in Hyper Light Breaker

Customizable Loadouts for Rising Challenges

Character gliding on a hoverboard in Hyper Light Breaker.

Players can enhance their character builds by visiting vendors at the Outpost before embarking on runs. These vendors offer various items: one specializes in Blades (melee weapons), another provides Rails (ranged weapons), and a third offers Holobytes and Amps—passive upgrades boosting damage and powerful abilities like summoning creatures or launching destructive blocks on adversaries. Additionally, players can consult PB, a character who helps switch their SyCom, a small robot companion impacting baseline stats, and EXE abilities, a progression mechanic that resembles a skill tree.

After customizing their inventory and equipment, players can tailor their loadout based on expected challenges. They have the flexibility to extract from the world at any moment, allowing for strategic retreats before boss confrontations. Three Breakers—Lapis, Vermillion, and Goro—are available during early access, and I chose Goro, a charming raccoon-like character with aspirations of opening a ramen shop, serving as a delightful touch.

Choosing a combination of Blade, Rail, Amps, Armor, and Holobytes, players dive into the Overgrowth. In my session, I opted for dual claws for melee combat and a machine gun as my ranged weapon. The objectives during runs are diverse; players must focus on defeating enemies, exploring the environment, and collecting loot, particularly Prisms, special collectibles necessary to unlock Crown battles. Upon deciding to withdraw, players trigger the extraction process, inciting waves of enemies seeking to thwart their escape.

The Intense Combat of Hyper Light Breaker

High-Octane Battles against Formidable Foes

A boss fight featuring a wolf-human hybrid character.

The combat in Hyper Light Breaker is swift and progressively challenging. Having teammates was invaluable, especially when it came to reviving each other using med kits—something I needed more often than I’d like to admit. Parrying is a crucial mechanic, mitigating incoming damage; executing a Perfect Parry negates all damage and even restores some health. Alternatively, players can maneuver through attacks by dashing or combine dashing with attacking to perform a Flash Step.

When enemies are struck with a Flash Step, their Stagger Meter begins to fill. Once this meter is full, executing another Flash Step initiates a lethal execution move capable of dealing massive damage, typically fatal to standard foes. During my run, I encountered a variety of enemies, from airborne bat-like creatures with a singular eye to towering beings made from twisted roots. However, the most formidable challenge was the Crown confrontation with Dro.

Dro, a colossal wolf creature, unleashed devastating AOE attacks, forcing players to strategize carefully to close the distance. Ultimately, I played a pivotal role in our victory, unintentionally benefiting from a one-time power-up that restored health equivalent to the damage inflicted. This strategic advantage allowed me to engage Dro up close without suffering severe penalties myself.

Final Impressions on Hyper Light Breaker

Improvements Since SGF & Future Prospects

Watch Hyper Light Breaker on YouTube

Several notable changes have been implemented since my first play session at SGF, particularly regarding traversal mechanics. The addition of a double jump and wall dash has significantly enhanced vertical mobility, greatly benefiting gameplay mechanics. Additionally, extraction has become more user-friendly, previously requiring interactions with specific shrines, which has now been streamlined.

These developments underscore the commitment to continual improvement during the early access phase, as the development team is dedicated to collaborating with players to refine and elevate the gaming experience. A roadmap outlining future enhancements will be released soon, and the team envisions a year-long early access period. Given the current remarkable potential exhibited by Hyper Light Breaker, it is undeniably positioned as one of the most highly-anticipated indie games on the horizon.

Source: Hyper Light Breaker/YouTube

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