The creative pixellated landscapes of Hyper Light Drifter form what is one of the most beautiful worlds the medium has yet given life to. Rich ambiance conveys the identities of each area, and intense battle variants stand ready to seamlessly transition from their calmer counterparts, making the world of this game as engaging for the ears as it is for the eyes. 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.
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