Co-op rogue-lite Hyper Light Breaker has a new trailer, while its Early Access launch is now set for the latter part of 2023.
Hyper Light Breaker, the latest title from indie developer Heart Machine, has a shiny new trailer. Taking place in the same universe as the studio’s earlier games, Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, Hyper Light Breaker is a co-op rogue-lite that sees up to four players exploring and slaying enemies in huge, procedurally-generated biomes.
Expanding on the 2D pixel art landscapes of 2016’s Hyper Light Drifter, which drew on The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Hyper Light Breaker’s fantasy landscapes recall those of Breath of the Wild, albeit with a psychedelic colour palette and anime edge that’s all Heart Machine’s own.
The game marks another technical step forward for the California-based studio. Solar Ash, released in 2021, expanded on the Hyper Light Drifter Universe with its fast and fluid 3D platforming. Hyper Light Breaker takes things a step further, both with its online co-op mode and its other additions, including more ways to traverse – there are hover boards, a glider, as well as wall-running – and larger array of weapons.
Perhaps its most interesting aspect, though, is its use of procedural generation to create its monster-filled biomes; as well as adding variety to each run, they create a note of tension you can only find in roguelikes (or rogue-lites in this case). As the studio writes on its development blog, “How much do I explore this world? How much time do I invest, knowing I could die at any time?”
Hyper Light Breaker is again being headed up by Alyx Preston, who’s long brought a personal touch to the series, while its lush electronic score is being handled by Troupe Gammage, Sky Lu and Joel Corelitz, taking over from the previous games’ composer, Disasterpeace. It all looks and sounds rather lovely.
Originally set for spring 2023, Hyper Light Breaker’s Steam Early Access launch has been moved to the autumn (or Fall, as they say on the other side of the pond). We’re sure it’ll be worth the wait.
Read more: Making the perfect Zelda-like
