You know, Hyper Light Drifter hit the scene at a pretty ideal moment. The year 2016 stands out as a significant one for indie games, with titles like Firewatch, The Witness, Inside, Cuphead, Enter the Gungeon, Darkest Dungeon, and even Stardew Valley making big waves. Looking back, it feels like the indie game really came into its own during that time. Consider also the gems from the couple of years prior, like Her Story, Undertale, Downwell, Soma, Octodad, and Shovel Knight. These games were setting the stage for something special in the indie gaming world.
One thing that truly sets these games apart is how distinct and individual they are. Sure, Stardew Valley lets you play with a friend, but these titles were designed with the solo player in mind. Contrast that with today’s indie scene, overflowing with multi-player experiences, live-service models, roguelikes, and games meant to be played endlessly.
Reflecting on games like Hyper Light Drifter, now about a decade old, it’s amazing to see how the landscape has transformed, especially with its follow-up, Hyper Light Breaker. When Drifter first launched on Kickstarter, its stunning pixel art, atmospheric soundtrack, and mysterious world drew players in. These elements paid off, giving players a narrative that encouraged personal interpretation.
The spotlight back then was very much on combat and world-building, untouched by today’s industry trends. Jump on Steam now, and you’ll find countless developers striving to create the next sensation, but only a few offer standalone experiences anymore. Multiplayer dominates, live-service is often the go-to model—despite its frequent flops—and the prevalence of roguelikes is hard to miss. With the economic pinch affecting everyone, the lure of endless replayability is understandable. It’s a safer bet financially unless you’re an indie that’s maybe not so indie anymore, crafting sprawling, single-player adventures.
So, it’s easy to see why Heart Machine transitioned Drifter’s world into a roguelike format with Hyper Light Breaker, possibly leaning on live-service tweaks to keep its audience engaged post-launch. Whether that’s the right move is still uncertain, given it’s just an early access release with only the fundamental game loop in place. Drifter’s formidable combat has transitioned smoothly into 3D, and I suspect it will only improve with time.
Interestingly, Heart Machine finds itself in good company, sharing trends with FromSoftware’s upcoming roguelike, Elden Ring: Nightreign. Their movement towards procedural maps and challenging bosses is quite telling of where gaming trends have shifted. However, Nightreign also underscores the industry’s shift over the past decade.
Does this evolution sadden me? Perhaps slightly. There’s still a vibrant scene of developers crafting games like Drifter and other cherished indie classics. If anything, their numbers have grown. But therein lies the challenge: standing out in a market saturated with games that bank on their replayability. Discoverability is a taller order now than ever before.
It’s undeniable how dramatically the gaming industry has morphed over the past ten years. Hyper Light Breaker’s existence highlights these changes for me. While I’m not passing judgment, I’m rooting for Heart Machine. If they can iron out the early access quirks, there’s potential for something truly special. Let’s hope it all falls into place.
