Hyper Light Fixer.

Although I had an excellent time with Hyper Light Breaker at last year’s Summer Game Fest, the game has faced challenges since its early access release a month ago. Currently, the game holds a 63% Mixed rating on Steam, with players deterred by technical issues, control complications, and the perception that the game is quite difficult.

However, the developers at Heart Machine remain determined, stating they have “no regrets” about releasing in early access despite a “teamwide ‘oops, guess we made it too hard’ moment” at launch. “There is no amount of time you can spend in isolation that will make the game great,” says lead producer Michael Clark. “The best version of a game comes from maximizing feedback and iteration loops, and Early Access allows us to do that.”

In response to the initial mixed feedback, Heart Machine has published an early access roadmap outlining upcoming updates. An update is planned for February, focusing on performance fixes, balance adjustments, and introducing new elements such as enemies, affixes, and a new player character.

Subsequent updates include a smaller one in March, leading to the more substantial ‘Buried Below’ update in April, which aims to enhance the onboarding experience for new players who may find the game overwhelming.

Clark emphasizes their commitment to creating a tough but fair gaming experience, stating, “We want the game to be tough, but fair and clear to understand… You should be able to analyze what went wrong and improve your skills.”