Disasterpeace has made masterful soundtracks for such works as Fez and It Follows, but their work here is arguably their best thus far. After a symphony of spilled blood and rent metal, intense waves of synthesizers ebb down to an eerie stillness. From the crunch of charge-slashing a foe into a wall to the heavy clicking of a laser rifle being charged, each attack carries varying levels of punch that help distinguish power dynamics. In lieu of a traditional narrative, Hyper Light Drifter establishes its identity via use of the aural, the visual, the structural, and the interactive.Ī duology creates the impeccable sound design of Hyper Light Drifter: impact and ambiance. One of the best intro cutscenes to any game says everything without speaking a word pitted against forces beyond your understanding, you are a wandering warrior killing your way through a dangerous yet gorgeous world as you race to accomplish your mission before a lethal ailment overwhelms you. The developers at Heart Machine understand that video games as a medium are better suited to storytelling by image than storytelling by text, and this alongside its gameplay establish a strong tone early on. Similarly, Hyper Light Drifter draws inspiration from preceding works, yet its presentation and gameplay are of a style all its own. For instance, Anodyne is extremely emulative of the 2D Zelda games, yet its unique tone, visuals, and overworld structure give it a unique identity. One can create a formula, or recipe, composed of the same ingredients, but by altering the execution, a vastly different creation can be wrought.

Elements of a video game - or any other medium of art, for that matter - are like ingredients of cuisine.

Hyper light drifter gameplay