Hyper Light Drifter is an action-adventure RPG developed by Heart Machine, with gameplay inspired by The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Diablo.
The game was funded via a Kickstarter campaign which launched on September 12, 2013. After hitting its original goal of $27,000 within 24 hours, total funding reached $645,158, and achieved all but its final stretch goal of $1,000,000 for a Super Nintendo demake. This significantly increased the scope of the game, adding new game modes including co-op, new and expanded areas, and more gear.
The player controls the Drifter, who harnesses forgotten technology in his desperate search for a cure to a terminal disease – a reference to lead developer Alex Preston’s life-long battle with congenital heart disease.
This Special Edition was ported to the Switch by Abylight, and includes exclusive content for the Switch – a new outfit, Tower Climb challenge, and new Crystal Shot and Blade Caster weapons.
The PC release has a Metacritic score of 84, and Steam reviews are Very Positive.
References
Hyper Light Drifter – how heart disease inspired one of 2016's great games, The Guardian
'Hyper Light Drifter' is a dark and stunning take on classic 16-bit games, The Verge
Hyper Light Drifter, Kickstarter
Hyper Light Drifter, Metacritic
Hyper Light Drifter, Steam
