Hyper Light Breaker Gets First Major Update with ‘Buried Below’

Hyper Light Breaker was released back on January 14th this year, and took players back into the universe of Hyper Light Drifter, created by Heart Machine. Playing alone or with friends as a ‘Breaker’ in the open world, rogue-lite world (procedurally generated), you’ll be able to explore, fight, and more, and even better, everything is about to change as the game’s first major update gets a release date and information!

New Content, Changes, Improved Onboarding, and More in Hyper Light Breaker

Titled ‘Buried Below‘, Hyper Light Breaker’s first update brings with it a huge raft of changes, aimed at making the Early Access game bigger and better, and closer to the finished product the developers have in mind.

Buried Below brings with it a new Breaker, Rondo, described as “A Breaker who comes from the same region as the recently-debuted Breaker, Ravona, and has a new SyCom with two SyCom perks”, and a new Crown, Maw, which Early Access players may have already caught glimpses of.

It also brings wholesale changes in the Run Structure of the Early Access title. Introducing new gameplay loops and progression changes aimed at making runs easier for everyone, whilst also more enjoyable:

• Extraction: More Options for Players: Instead of only one way to leave the Overgrowth (via the Telepad), players will be able to extract at any Shrine in the Overgrowth, and there’ll be no waves of enemies to defeat like before. This change will make it so players can extract more often, making the game easier as a result, which was one of the main requests from players to change the game’s difficulty. 
• SyComs: Follows a Class-Like System, More Loadout Potential: Character customization has been redesigned, giving each Breaker one assigned SyCom with fixed stats, and players have the option to equip a perk to the SyCom that gives the Breaker a new passive ability. For instance, Rondo’s SyCom has an equippable perk called “Bladedancer” that increases Rondo’s damage and attack speed. Players can develop their SyCom stats further at Shrines in the Overgrowth with extended upgrades unlocked through meta progression. This change, inspired by player feedback, will make it so each Breaker is similar to a “class”, making each Breaker feel different from one another, and make it so players can come up with distinct builds per Breaker. 
• Inventory & Vendors -More Streamlined: The Vault system will be changed as when you die, the inventory in your Vault will no longer carry over between runs, except for Golden Rations, the main meta progression currency in the game. This will allow players to focus solely on acquiring new gear during their runs instead of having to focus on managing their inventory so often as before. Additionally, vendors in the Overgrowth and Cursed Outpost will also have new roles, with Bright Blood and Materials now used for purchases and upgrades. While gear sales have been removed from hub vendors, players can still use them to enhance equipped items.

Lastly, Buried Below promises to update the onboarding aspect of the game, making understanding Hyper Light Breaker a walk in the park, as it coaches you through all the core mechanics of the game, as well as a new dedicated combat training area teaching the most complex combos and techniques in the game. Whether you’re a new player or a veteran of the last few months, this will be an important addition to the game with all the changes inbound.

Buried Below, Hyper Light Breaker’s first major update, is due for release on April 29th.

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