Pixel art styled games seem to be having a resurgence in popularity. Hyper Light Drifter is one of these games with a hack and slash theme. The beautiful art placed with a compelling story and faced paced action make this game an instant classic. Although the game was initially planned for console releases, it is making a surprise early release on iPhone and iPad devices.
This is one of the latest top-quality games to make the jump from being a PC game to mobile and might be the start of a growing trend. By launching this title to a mobile audience, the game’s reach has nearly tripled, and many are happy to have an early chance at this unique experience.
Heart Machine originally developed the game, but Abylight Studios published the iOS port. They worked on the Switch port earlier this year and have done great work bringing this game to other platforms. This edition includes the same Special Edition content that was released during the Switch port including new areas, items, and enemies.
The game is getting mixed reviews on the Apple store due to the controls not porting over as well as many had hoped. Although the game does function well, many are saying it will be a better experience with a controller rather than the touch screen control scheme.
Abylight Studios claims that the port is adapted well. Although it is to early to tell if the port can handle the game’s notoriously tough combat system, many remain positive. The game will support the iOS MFI controllers which will include a large list of other controller options when iOS 13 launches in the fall.
The player controls a Drifter who has access to long-forgotten technology. You must search the forgotten world for a cure to an unspecified illness that you have. As you battle and scavenge equipment from around the world, you begin to learn the truth behind what has happened to the world and eventually work to cure yourself of the illness.
It is stylized as a 16-bit game and feels like a combination of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Diablo. The loose and fast-paced concept of the game mixed with its style has earned it a reputation of being extremely difficult to complete. The game has already been released on PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One. This will be its first release into the mobile market.
Hyper Light Drifter is available for iPhone and iPad on the App Store for $4.99 and should be able to hit 120 FPS on the iPad Pro and 60 fps on the iPhone. This is a high level of speed for a mobile port causing many to have more faith in the game performance.
