Hyper Light Breaker

About

Hyper Light Breaker is a single player and multiplayer open world hack and slash game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Heart Machine and was released on January 14, 2025. It received neutral reviews from players.

Hyper Light Breaker is an open-world roguelike set in a fully 3D environment, where players explore vast biomes and labyrinths. Choose unique Breaker and SyCom loadouts to suit your playstyle and face hordes of enemies and challenging bosses in fast-paced third-person combat. Play solo or team up in online co-op to uncover mysteries and conquer escalating dangers for greater rewards.

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58%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,111 reviews

gameplay346 positive mentions

optimization168 negative mentions

The game has a unique art style and atmosphere that captures the essence of Hyper Light Drifter.
Combat is fast-paced and satisfying, with a variety of weapons and abilities that allow for different playstyles.
The developers are actively listening to community feedback and making improvements, showing promise for future updates.

The game feels unfinished and lacks content, with only a few bosses and limited enemy variety.
Performance issues and bugs significantly detract from the gameplay experience, making it frustrating to play.
The extraction mechanics and progression system are poorly designed, leading to a lack of meaningful rewards and motivation to continue playing.

gameplay
1,171 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
6%
The gameplay of "Hyper Light Breaker" presents a mixed experience, with many players enjoying the core mechanics and combat but expressing frustration over the lack of polish and clarity in its systems. While the game features a fun and engaging gameplay loop that combines extraction and roguelike elements, issues such as clunky controls, an unclear tutorial, and performance problems detract from the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the potential for improvement as the game evolves through early access, but current balancing and design choices leave it feeling unfinished and at times frustrating.
- “The gameplay loop is fun and challenging, the leveling/perk system is cool, I like the variety of weapons and how they change up the gameplay.”
- “The core gameplay is really fun; it feels really good to dance through a crowd of enemies, blasting and slashing, dodging and parrying.”
- “The gameplay loop is unique and broken into cycles based around you having 4 'lives'.”
- “As it is right now, the gameplay loop is pretty dull and uninspired.”
- “The game mechanics simply aren't fluid.”
- “The gameplay loop lacks any basic respect for the player's time.”
optimization
714 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
69%
24%
The optimization of the game has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frequent frame drops and stuttering, even on high-end systems. While some updates have improved performance slightly, the lack of adjustable graphics settings and persistent optimization problems continue to hinder the overall experience. Many reviewers suggest waiting for further patches before purchasing, as the game is currently deemed unplayable for some users due to its optimization shortcomings.
- “Thanks for optimizing the game, it was laggy despite having mid-to-high hardware, and at times unbearable to play. Good to see the game now runs better though with still room for improvement for performance.”
- “The various updates have improved performance and enemy balancing drastically, making it a much more enjoyable experience.”
- “The performance has improved a lot and the game balancing/enemy AI improvements that Heart Machine has put out have done a lot to make the gameplay loop less infuriating and more entertaining.”
- “The performance is unplayably bad for most of my time, which sours the fairly lackluster gameplay even further.”
- “The game has major performance issues with frame drops all over the place.”
- “The optimization is poor, flat out.”
graphics
502 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
7%
The graphics of "Hyper Light Breaker" have received mixed feedback, with many praising the vibrant art style and aesthetic that echoes its predecessor, "Hyper Light Drifter." However, players have expressed frustration over the limited graphical settings and performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates even on high-end hardware. While the visuals are generally considered beautiful, the lack of optimization and customization options detracts from the overall experience.
- “Regardless of whether this game is ever on sale for $10 or less, you should pick it up; the genre, the idea for this, the story it's attempting to tell, the art style, the environment—it's all beautiful.”
- “Heart Machine continues to excel artistically with the analog-retrofuture-post-apocalyptic-mythic-vibrant-fantasy aesthetic they've crafted with the Hyper Light universe.”
- “Gorgeous visuals, with a very unique style; it feels like a world full of secrets.”
- “A fresh game that, in retrospect to its prequel, was released with a more dulled art style, unpolished gameplay loop, and with far less story to boot.”
- “The graphics are now in 3D, the local multiplayer mode has been eliminated, but now there is an online mode for up to three players.”
- “The graphical style simply can't compare with Drifter and looks more generic, the soundtrack seems solid but it's no Disasterpeace work, and the gameplay isn't as polished.”
music
198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
56%
2%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric and synth-driven qualities that align well with the game's art direction, reminiscent of its predecessor, Hyper Light Drifter. While some players find the soundtrack to be beautiful and immersive, others feel it lacks the intensity and distinctiveness of the original, with suggestions for it to be more prominent during gameplay. Overall, the music is generally appreciated for enhancing the game's vibe, though some players express a desire for more variety and stronger thematic ties to different areas.
- “The art direction, music, and core gameplay of this game are all spectacular.”
- “The music that goes along with it is also very nice, and I've actually listened to the OST stand-alone already, which is a good sign.”
- “The music is beautiful and exciting, the visuals are gorgeous, the movement is simple but fun and fluid, and the combat has a fun loop and hits feel crunchy.”
- “Music was quite lackluster in my experience.”
- “The music is not hitting hard enough.”
- “Music barely exists.”
story
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
77%
8%
The story aspect of "Hyper Light Breaker" has received mixed to negative feedback from users, with many expressing disappointment over the lack of a meaningful narrative compared to its predecessor, "Hyper Light Drifter." While some appreciate the abstract and environmental storytelling elements, most reviewers feel that the game currently lacks depth, character motives, and a cohesive plot, often describing it as vague and unengaging. Many hope for future updates to enhance the lore and storytelling, as the game's early access state leaves much to be desired in terms of narrative content.
- “Its art design and music were like nothing I'd ever seen or heard; its story is strange and cryptic but gives you just enough to keep you interested as you try to fill in the blanks in your head.”
- “The story is told through slideshows of memories you find of the bosses, and they all point to a world that's very intriguing, and carries the subtle tragedy of Hyper Light Drifter rather well.”
- “I loved the storytelling and hoped that it would be expanded and improved in Breaker.”
- “No story, no lore, not even any character motives.”
- “But for now, if you were looking for story, adventure, exploration, and overall lore building which leads to those things that pull you into a title, this is not the one in its current state.”
- “The biggest draw from Hyper Light Drifter was the story and the exploration, and both seemed to be hampered a bit with the strictly roguelite approach.”
stability
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
89%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. While some players find enjoyment in the core gameplay, many express frustration over the game's unpolished state, lack of balance, and the absence of updates to address these problems. Overall, the consensus is that while the game shows potential, it is currently too buggy and unstable for a full recommendation, especially for those seeking a smooth gaming experience.
- “In general, it runs great, well enough to enjoy playing the game, and I know the devs are working hard to make it run better.”
- “My experience was very bug-free and not laggy, even when joining or hosting random people on the internet.”
- “The game runs great on my 3060 Ti and a 7800X3D at 1080p with no noticeable frame drops.”
- “It's early access, so I'm hoping they fix the buggy/jank feeling.”
- “The release of a game people were hyped about for over a year being a buggy, unoptimized, unbalanced, janky, unfun, overpriced piece of garbage that, to top it off, has the worst mouse and keyboard support I've ever seen in any game on any console, ever, is absolutely shameful.”
- “It is a buggy, unstable mess that at this point should be removed from the Steam store.”
grinding
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and unfulfilling. While some appreciate the potential for meaningful progression and build customization, others criticize the repetitive gameplay, lack of rewarding mechanics, and a punishing early game that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the grinding feels more like a chore than an engaging part of the gameplay loop, leading to frustration rather than satisfaction.
- “Somehow they took what was a difficult, grindy, but oddly satisfying rogue-like and turned it into something incredibly boring and easy.”
- “Hyper Light Breaker is a stylish extraction looter that promises co-op Breath of the Wild open world style wonder, but devolves into grindy, relentless, and repetitive gameplay.”
- “The core gameplay quickly becomes tedious, with an overly punishing, grindy early game that is balanced to kill the player without really outlining any progression or achievement.”
atmosphere
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant visuals, immersive sound design, and a captivating blend of post-apocalyptic and retro-futuristic elements reminiscent of "Hyper Light Drifter." Many players appreciate the game's ability to create a magical and cohesive world, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that complements the exploration and combat. However, some critics feel that it falls short of its predecessor in depth and content, leading to a less impactful atmospheric experience overall.
- “The art direction beautifully carries forward the legacy of Hyper Light Drifter, creating a surreal atmosphere that invites exploration.”
- “The atmosphere, vibrant colors, and visual effects are perfect.”
- “The sound design, lighting (when you have shadows turned on), and atmosphere are all out of this world.”
- “The game feels very shallow with little depth or content, doesn't look particularly good and does not do Hyper Light Drifter's art style, world, and atmosphere justice, on top of not running that well either.”
- “Not much to speak of in the way of atmosphere compared to Heart Machine's previous Hyper Light game, at least in the starting randomized zones.”
- “So far (not long) I haven't really felt that sense of atmosphere, freedom, and history.”
monetization
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions but expressing concerns about the game's balance and design, particularly regarding the overwhelming presence of enemy ads during boss fights. Many feel that the game leans towards a cash grab mentality, especially given its early access state and the perceived focus on marketing over gameplay quality. Overall, while the intentions may be good, the execution has left players frustrated with the monetization strategy and game mechanics.
- “I mean, there’s nothing wrong with setting out to make games that bring friends together for a good time, and Heart Machine showed good intentions by releasing without microtransactions.”
- “I swear, it was worse than watching ads on a free-to-play cellphone game.”
- “Feels like a cash grab right now and just made me angry.”
- “The game's development money definitely went too much into paying for advertisements with IGN & paying off streamers/content creators... oh dear.”
replayability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
61%
9%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it engaging and promising, particularly due to its roguelike elements and potential for customization. However, many reviewers express concerns about the current lack of content and balance, which detracts from the overall replay value, especially given its price point. While there are hopes for improvements in future updates, the game is seen as needing more depth and variety to truly achieve lasting replayability.
- “It's not overly complicated yet remains deeply engaging and feels endlessly replayable.”
- “The near infinite replayability of a roguelike with a souls-like attitude toward difficulty and reward.”
- “If you like Risk of Rain 2, you're definitely going to like this game. It's still in its early stage, but there's a lot of replayability.”
- “It ultimately damages the replayability of the game.”
- “Game has issues; for a roguelike, the replayability and content aren't 100% there yet, and for that price, I can't say it's worth it right now.”
- “There isn't enough content to justify the price tag; the early game is far too punishing and confusing for new players, and the late game does nothing to stop you from steamrolling every run, making replayability nonexistent.”
character development
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
26%
12%
Character development in the game is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with many reviewers noting that characters feel more like stylish skins rather than fully realized entities. While the character designs are frequently praised for their creativity and visual appeal, they do not contribute to meaningful character growth or narrative engagement, leaving players wanting more in terms of character progression and role within the story. Overall, the game's focus on aesthetics overshadows any substantial character development, resulting in a shallow experience.
- “The game is absolutely gorgeous, the character designs are really creative, the environment is incredibly well made and the use of colors is otherworldly.”
- “Stunning environments that subtly tell you a story, a wide range of enemies that all need to be studied to eventually defeat effectively and really good character design that inspired and helped me get into creating art for this world.”
- “Combine that with a dope art style, interesting character designs, and a pervasive chill tone and you've got a game I'd never stop playing.”
- “What you might want to know... three things: one this is a rogue-like third person and not an action adventure RPG title as labeled/tagged so much as a progressive 3rd person title where you level up (0 character development and no role to play).”
- “There is nothing compelling which would lead me to investing in character development.”
- “Character development or role in a story.”
emotional
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight a mix of emotional responses to the game, with many players feeling a sense of heartbreak and disappointment due to its unfulfilled potential and lack of impactful moments. While the music and atmosphere evoke some emotional resonance, the gameplay mechanics and design choices detract from the overall experience, leaving players yearning for deeper emotional engagement. Some express hope for future improvements, suggesting that the developers are attentive to community feedback and may enhance the game's emotional depth over time.
- “It's genuinely so heartbreaking to see it sent to the slaughterhouse.”
- “I trust the developers are going to make heartfelt changes to this game and make it something that truly shines.”
- “The durability on your items is heartbreaking.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely derived from its numerous bugs and glitches, which range from amusing to frustrating, such as invisible characters and odd performance issues. Players find the lack of character personality and poorly explained mechanics unintentionally funny, creating a sense of absurdity in their interactions. Overall, while the game has its comedic moments, the humor often stems from its shortcomings rather than intentional design.
- “As the host, I've been invisible for the rest of the lobby (though they can still see my sycom and I still do damage to enemies, so that was more of a funny bug).”
- “Every interaction is incredibly funny considering none of the alerts or in-game text is in English, and none of the mechanics for exploration are explained, making every interaction a humorous adventure.”
- “The grind to the end sections of tier perks is a hilariously long one for how little it matters - I'm taking probably hundreds of hours to unlock everything in a game you can 'beat' and be bored with in 5-10 hours.”