Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition

Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition finally puts Heart Machine's obtuse yet engaging throwback where it belongs - in portable Nintendo form - and it makes for the definitive version. With a handful of exclusive features, a two-year-old game suddenly feels new and fresh - and with a silky smooth frame rate and every boss, secret and upgrade from the original here for you to experience, the Nintendo Switch's indie library just got even better.

Along with a good amount of in-game achievements for replay value, HLD is just a fun, replayable action game that all fans of Zelda should at least give a try, even if it may not click right away. With a physical version now available, there’s no better time to give this a go if you haven’t already, or even if you played this on other consoles, since this still has quite a lot of exclusive content only available here.

Hyper Light Drifter is simply a must-play title. The Nintendo Switch version features a few exclusive features so in my mind, it's the ‘definitive version' at this point. While I initially had some frame-rate issues (some in single-player mode, while most were in the co-op mode), the 1.2.0 patch on the Nintendo Switch helped out tremendously. I didn't recall any issues after the patch. If you're looking for a great Zelda-like game with amazing atmosphere and music, you owe it to yourself to check out Hyper Light Drifter.

If you groan every time you see another 2D action-RPG on the Nintendo eShop, don’t be dissuaded by Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition. While it borrows from the Zelda blueprint and games that have followed, it is packaged so perfectly that it stands above the rest. The depth of its vivid world goes beyond what you see on your screen. There’s more lurking there, and you’ll want to discover it all.

Hyper Light Drifter is a jaw-dropping experience no matter the platform you play it on. What started as an engaging masterpiece in 2016 continues to be just as rewarding and worthwhile of a video game in 2018. With the Nintendo Switch you get the valuable bonus of being able to take this journey with you anywhere you want and believe me when I say this is a journey you will not want to step away from once you start it.

Hyper Light Drifter – Special Edition is one of the best independent games on the Nintendo eShop and a shining example of 2D gaming in general. It’s a retro-style game and then some, with great atmosphere and challenging combat. If you missed it on other platforms, now’s your chance!

"I can see the colours of light!"

The Nintendo Switch version of Hyper Light Drifter is far from perfect, but that doesn't make it's world less beautiful or the combat lees vibrant. Due to the mysterious storytelling and difficult challenges It's not a game for everyone, making it one of those "either you love it or hate it"... And we definitely belong to the first group.

There is no doubt: the Special Edition of Hyper Light Drifter landed on Switch is the definitive version of the video game balance masterpiece signed Heart Machine a couple of years ago.

Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition is a must-own for anyone who enjoys a quality action title. Fans of 2D Zelda games will adore this for how it pays lip-service without being derivative. Heart Machine has triumphed by focusing on what people loved about action-adventures, while refining combat and challenge. In the beginning, some might be overwhelmed by the lack of direction; but those who dare to actually play will be greatly rewarded. The Switch Special Edition extras are neat, but the meat and potatoes that make up the sum of Hyper Light Drifter is still what makes it so great in the first place.