Hyper Light Breaker

***Hyper Light Breaker*** is an upcoming 2023 3D third person action adventure science fantasy video game in the roguelite genre developed by Heart Machine and published by Gearbox Publishing, set in the universe of *Hyper Light Drifter* and *Solar Ash*, specifically taking place on the same post-apocalyptic planet as *Hyper Light Drifter*. The game is set decades before the events of *Hyper Light Drifter*, however it is not a direct prequel in the sense that it will lead into its story, but will build on and showcase some of the lore and world that people know from the original game. The game is set to be released in early access in Fall 2023.

The game is set to be released early 2024. The game was initially set to be released as an Early Access title on Steam in Spring 2023, however on March 14 2023, with the second trailer's gameplay reveal, the release date was changed to early access in Fall 2023, but on August 22, 2023 it was pushed further to early 2024 as Heart Machine needed a little more time developing the game before they were ready to launch into early access. In the video, Heart Machine CEO and game director Alx Preston announced that they will continue to release new updates on the YouTube channel as they near early access. A closed beta has been announced but with no set release date as of yet. The game is currently listed on Steam and can be wishlisted on the platform.

## Overview

In *Hyper Light Breaker*, the player will enter the Overgrowth, a new land on the World of Light, the planet also featured in *Hyper Light*. The player will be able to play alone or with other players through online co-op. The player will be able to create their own builds, explore massive, ever-changing open biomes and deep labyrinths in the Overgrowth, fight against brutal monsters, all while attempting to survive the mysterious Crowns and overthrow the almighty Abyss King. It is set on a post-apocalyptic world in disarray, ravaged by a war in the ancient past, and its lands are filled with mysteries to solve and littered with ancient technology, as well as crumbling buildings and remnants of war.

## Development

### History

#### Background

Discussing why Heart Machine decided to return to the bleak world of *Hyper Light Drifter*, CEO of Heart Machine Alx Preston wrote on a Tumblr blog post: "The faded whisper of allure of this world we built transformed into a clarion call through the years. A new story became a solid vision. It felt right to come back in, root around, and share what we unearthed about this beautiful-yet-bleak world with everyone."

### Team

#### Lead

* Alx Preston – Studio director, creative director, design director, founder of Heart Machine
* Kayla Huggins – Executive assistant
* Lesley Mathieson – Senior producer
* Cameron Razavi - Associate producer
* Miyoko Jackson – Studio manager

#### Design and programming

* Jason Keeney – Technical director
* Christian Stewart – Technical designer
* Justin Beales – Senior gameplay engineer
* Peter Hastings – Senior gameplay engineer
* Eduardo Rodrigues - Gameplay engineer
* Jason Hillhouse – Gameplay engineer
* Jordan Fanaris – Designer
* Luke Patterson – Designer
* Mars Ashton – Designer
* Sky Lu – Junior designer
* Lea White – Lead technical artist
* Christian Sparks – Technical artist
* Michael Joiner – Senior network systems engineer

#### Art

* Danny Moll – Lead concept artist
* Sarah Morris – Senior concept artist
* Nick Carver – Concept artist
* Isaak Ramos – Character concept artist
* John Deriggi – Lead character artist
* Jack Covell – Character artist
* Will Tate - Lead environment artist
* Jaume Rovira – Senior environment artist
* Cameron Hughes – Environment artist
* Danielle Wallace – Environment artist
* Wolfgang Traenkle – Environment artist
* Roi Prada – Senior UI artist
* Travis Henderson – VFX artist

#### Animation

* Emily Katske – Animation director
* Abdul Fawaz – 3D animator
* Chris Bullock – Senior animator
* Jordan Campbell – Animator
* Sean Ward – 3D + 2D animator

#### Audio

* Alex Johnson – Audio lead
* Akash Thakkar – Sound designer
* Joel Corelitz – Audio composer
* Sky Lu – Composer
* Troupe Gammage – Composer

#### Partners

* Sweet Baby - Narrative
* Tuatara – VFX
* Studio Grackle – Animated trailer

## Mechanics

In the game, the players take control of a "Breaker" in the single player mode or lead a team of "Breakers" in online cooperative play. They will face hordes of vicious enemies, horrible monsters and gigantic bosses in frentic third-person combat.

### Biomes

The game's setting, the Overgrowth, will feature ever-changing, massive open biomes, as well as deep labyrinths.

### Customization

#### Hub

*Hyper Light Breaker* is going to have a customisable world hub town with different shops and characters, which will grow from a settlement that the players will help flourish over the course of their journey, creating and customizing it over time. These accomplishments will introduce new colorful characters and permanent upgrades to the hub. It will also be able to visit the settlers between each run and discover their unique, evolving stories.

#### Character creation

*Hyper Light Breaker* will offer limited character creation, including the ability to pick a species. So far, the only playable species that have been confirmed are the Blu.

#### Custom builds

The players will discover and unlock a wide arsenal of weapons and items to create the perfect build for every run of the game, as well as learning about the Overgrowth and the deep storylines hidden within with each death and subsequent attempt to survive the Crowns and defeat the Abyss King.

### Fast traversal systems =

The game will feature fast traversal systems, allowing players to use wall-dashing, a hoverboard, a glider and more for free traversal across the landscapes of the world. It will seemingly include a dashing mechanic similar to that of *Hyper Light Drifter*.

## References

1. ↑ *Hyper Light Breaker* - Trailer 2, Gameplay Reveal.
2. ↑ Hyper Light Breaker.. Via Hyper Light Breaker channel on YouTube.com