Indie studio Heart Machine, the team behind the hit action-RPG Hyper Light Drifter, has announced a new title in the form of Hyper Light Breaker. This new game takes place in the same world as its predecessor but appears to take inspiration from the studio's second title, Solar Ash. According to the announcement materials, Hyper Light Breaker is adding 3D graphics and online co-op to an already winning formula.
The original Hyper Light Drifter was a 2D title funded on Kickstarter, and it tasked players with stepping into the shoes of a silent protagonist known as the Drifter. Armed with a laser blade and a drone, the Drifter traveled across a ravaged alien world in search of a cure to the disease that was slowly killing them.
An official announcement trailer posted to Gearbox's YouTube channel introduced Hyper Light Breaker in the form of a short animated teaser. The clip lasts about 40 seconds and showcases a new masked protagonist, some high-speed combat parkour, and the classic laser blade deflection mechanics of Hyper Light Drifter. After the animated sequence, the trailer shows what seems to be key art displaying a total of five main characters. The video description and the game's Steam description confirm that it will feature online co-op multiplayer.
In the final moments of the video, viewers are given a glimpse of what appears to be the current in-game graphics. While Hyper Light Breaker's art style and especially the colors are clearly inspired by Hyper Light Drifter's neon pixel art, the cel-shaded 3D character models bear a close resemblance to the graphics of Solar Ash. A figure who appears to be one of the playable characters is shown from behind, drawing attention to a mass of sky blue hair, a red jacket, and blue skin reminiscent of the Drifter. A close look also appears to confirm that this new character possesses a lion-esque tail. They are shown walking down a stylized city street that seems to blend into towering ruins ahead of them.
Apparently, Hyper Light Breaker will charge players with entering the Overgrowth, a new land in the world of Hyper Light. Gamers must explore massive biomes much like in previous titles while defeating terrifying monsters. To survive, they'll have to create new builds, endure the mysterious Crowns, and eventually overthrow the powerful Abyss King. And for the first time in the history of Heart Machine titles, they won't have to fight alone.
Hyper Light Breaker is coming to Steam Early Access in Spring 2023.