Recent reviews by Lojiker*

I've had my ups and downs with this game, and I've been tempted to quit multiple times. But I keep coming back because it has a few redeeming qualities.

The gunplay is, overall, satisfying and well done. The TTKs are relatively long, which gives infantry a chance to react to an attacker and win, meaning fights aren't decided exclusively by positioning. A good position certainly helps, but reactions and the ability to land headshots mean much more in this game than in other shooters with a shorter TTK. There are actual projectiles, so you have to put just a bit more thought into your shots than if it were hitscan.

There's also the scale and combined arms. There are moments when infantry vs vehicle engagements are frustrating (on either end), but it allows for some interesting shenanigans, like shooting fighters out of the air with rocket launchers or a tank's main gun. There is even a large, slow dropship capable of destroying lighter, faster vehicles by ramming into them.

The game is also a persistent conflict--when you log in, you spawn on a large map with hundreds of other players. It's essentially a giant conquest match. Because all the people playing on a server play on the same map, you tend to get to know who the other players are. Some players stand out because of their choice of weapon, vehicle, playstyle, and/or cosmetics.

There is a plethora of playstyles through different classes and implants (essentially perks). Some are centered around fast-paced and intense aggressive play; others allow a more passive support role. Odds are you'll find a niche that suits you, or be able to switch it up and never get bored of any one thing.

The game has its share of bugs and balance issues, but it's the only one of its kind--it's too ambitious to be perfect. I've had many moments feeling fed up with these, but I've noticed I've been taking it too seriously. And even then, I keep coming back. There just isn't anything else like it.

This is a truly beautiful game. It amazing visuals, an amazing soundtrack, well-paced and engaging combat but also an alluring world that rewards exploration as well. The use of coloration and the game's unique stylized art themes, as well as its distinguishing lack of dialogue, give it a feel unlike any other, but at the same time evokes nostalgia in gamers who have played games such as A Link to the Past.

While playing, the choices of where to explore and what to fight available to the player are abundant; while stuck in one area, players can fall back to a previous one and usually find something new, or practice their mechanical and/or combat skill to overcome the task at hand. Solid top-down melee mechanics and even ranged gameplay will enthrall gamers looking for action, but long sections of exploration or area progression will play to the sense of childlike wonder found in all who are ready to appreciate a game. Taking beauty and exploration that games like Zelda have done so well, and combining that with fast-paced and unique combat gives Hyper Light Drifter that nostalgic feel while also giving it a personality of its own.

Perhaps the aspect of the game that makes players feel invested, beside the shear aesthetic beauty of the game, is that there are no words beyond the file select. The player interacts with NPCs through dialogue boxes containing pictures or brief demonstrations rather than actual dialogue. This may be intimidating at first, but the gameplay mechanics are intuitive enough for this to not be a problem, and it forces players to be more involved in discovering their world, successfully adding a sense of depth that is rarely seen.

The only possible drawback to this game is that there simple is not enough of it; if players do not pressure themselves to explore the world to the fullest, they may find themselves progressing through the game a shallowly fast rate. However, anyone who is willing to appreciate this game to its fullest will take it slow, try to find every last secret and explore every last nook, and will not be dissapointed upon completion. Also, this game is highly replayable, as well has having an NG+ mode, so even if a player goes through it quickly, there is still more to get out of it.

Ultimately, this is a game filled with breathtaking visuals, thrilling usage of colors, and a hair-raisingly beautiful soundtrack. By taking inspiration from successful elements of older games, it evokes a sense of nostalgia, but also adds its own personality through its original combat mechanics and atmosphere.

10/10.