Summary
Hyper Light Breakeris the prequel toHyper Light Drifterwhich came out seemingly eons ago in 2016. WhileHyper Light Drifterwas a moreZelda-like experience,Hyper Light Breakeris an action roguelike emphasizing multiplayer. Players can easily see how the two worlds are connected via the art style that oozes with color.
InHyper Light Breaker, players are a Breaker which amounts to a type of class system. Breakers are destined to fight bosses called Crowns and once enough are defeated, they can take on the Abyss King. It’s a standard setup for a roguelike butHyper Light Breakeris anything but standard as it is one of the most challenging roguelikesin Early Access. Let’s go through some starter tips to get newbies on their feet.
7Remap The Buttons
For The Switch Fans
Jumping intoHyper Light Breakerwill be different for everyone on PC depending on the type of controller they use or if they have a Steam Deck. One of the best third-party controllers from a first-party company is the pro controller for the Switch. Players may need to tweak the settings and make sure the B button is assigned to jumping while A can be used to parry.Hyper Light Breakeris more of a game about dodging anyway, so it doesn’t even matter where the parrybutton gets assigned. Having B assigned to jumping will feel more natural for players used to platformers.
6Understanding Your Moves
From Gliding To Surfing
There’s not much of a tutorial yet so new players may not understand their full repertoire while exploring the randomized islands in the game. For example, holding down the right trigger, on any controller setup, will activate ahoverboard inHyper Light Breaker.
Players may understand that knowledge through tutorials but there is a more secret use as hoverboards can also glide over water with ease. Holding down the jump button will create a parachute, similar to the gliders found inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Mastering these functions will make travel a lot easier between islands.
5Shooting Vs Melee
Save Your Battery For Bigger Enemies
Players will be armed with a melee weapon and a gun when they start the game. New characters will start to unlock the further players get with different loadouts. Melee attacks don’t cost anything but shooting ranged weapons does. Battery life takes the form of bullets inHyper Light Breakerand while normal shots may not be stronger than melee attacks, bullets will keep players safer. Attacking from a distance is always a good strategy inan action gameto stay alive longer as it keeps players away from enemy attacks.
4Getting Into The Gear System
Selling Over Hoarding
Players will find Gear which attributes to weapons inHyper Light Breakerwhile Holobytes are accessories that can boost varying stats and they can grant skills. When players die, which will happen a lot as this isa roguelike experience, some equipment will be destroyed right away while others will lose health. Instead of keeping any equipment gained on a run to use in the next one, go ahead and sell it at a shop instead. This isn’t good advice for later hours in the game but for players wishing to get their feet in the door, they have to grind and this is one way to do it faster. When loot is acquired, sell it on the double, and don’t think twice.
3Upgrade Your Breaker
Increase Your HUB And Stats
Most upgrades and equipment are temporary but hero upgrades on stats do carry over in-between runs. Players have to find four Core Shards on a map which are usually held by harder enemies. Defeat them, take their shard, and then move on to the next big bad mini-boss to complete the circuit. Once four Core Shards are collected, players can get a full Core used to upgrade Breakers from HP to attack power. It’s standard advice for most roguelikes or RPGs but HP is always a good first upgrade to purchase.
2Healing Is Tricky
Finding Your First Big Upgrade
HP is a necessary first upgrade because healing is a chore in the game otherwise. Players can get MedKits but getting their first requires an upgrade on the skill tree separate from the hero stat upgrades. Players won’t start a run with a set amount ofMedKits stashed away inHyper Light Breakerwhen this skill is unlocked though.
It’s not like how Estus Flasks work inDark Soulsgames as players have to find specific materials to craft MedKits inHyper Light Breakerand they are hard to piece together. Still, players will definitely want MedKits unlocked sooner rather than later.
1Buddy Up On The Double
Co-Op Makes It Easier
Finally,Hyper Light Breakeris best savored as a co-op game. It’s what the game is balanced for as three players can join together on missions. Taking down bosses, or even just normal mobs will become a lot easier even without headset communication. If three friends gather, that will always be the best experience for a multiplayer game but players can still make good headway in the game with random parties too. It’s technically possible to get far in the Early Access version ofHyper Light Breakeralone but it’s not going to be fun which is why co-op should be tested.
