I played through the preview build of Heart Machine’s Hyper Light Drifter not once or twice, but four times. The abandoned laboratory called me back again and again because one playthrough wasn’t enough to see every area in the build. Each run through the test tubes swirling with dark pixelated horrors revealed fresh paths, more enemies, and new weapons. Thorough investigation revealed secret paths to keys that would open a special door holding the bloodied body of a fallen wanderer very much like the titular Drifter. The molding halls into the depths of the facility led me to glimpses of far off giants, long dead and decayed, but still unnervingly present. One of the highest compliments that I can pay Hyper Light Drifter is that it captures the unique blend of disturbing unease and excitement of Super Metroid, but repackages it as an isometric action title with a gorgeous pixel art aesthetic. It is beautiful, creepy, and fun.

Hyper Light Drifter was previewed on PC with an Xbox 360 controller. 

The preview build I played began in an open area outside of an alien laboratory. This gave me a chance to experiment with the controls. I quickly found that the Drifter has a laser sword, the ability to dash short distances, and can use his robot companion to check inventory. Continuing into the facility I encountered a prone skeleton with a laser pistol close by its boney hand. The pistol was still in working order so it quickly became a part of my arsenal. In addition to the laser sword, the Drifter may only have two items equipped at any given time. A large door with four locks prevented progress through the main lab, but a side passage offered a way forward. That’s when I encountered Hyper Light Drifter’s first enemies.

The Drifter has a limited amount of health and can usually only take five or six hits before dying. This makes every enemy encounter a tense exercise in patience and reflexes. Even the grunts, green, goblin-like creatures, can quickly whittle down health if you’re not careful. Every new area is accompanied by an auto-save, which is handy because death should be expected. There is a measured timing to how combat works. Enemies telegraph their attacks, giving time to dodge or counter their advances. However, it is important to remember that the Drifter’s attacks also have a strange timing to them. While the laser sword is a powerful tool, it can only quickly strike three times before pausing. Special weapons like the pistol, shotgun, laser cannon, or remote controlled bomb rely on slowly regenerating energy for their use. They also have their own timing to how they work. After some time is spent mastering combat, battles take on the cadence of a dance. It feels empowering, smoothly moving from enemy to enemy, but also sad.