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Hyper Light Breaker

Platform(s): PC
Genre: Action/Adventure
Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
Developer: Heart Machine
Release Date: 2026

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'Hyper Light Breaker' Buried Below Early Access Update Next Week, Reworks Core Game Systems, Quality Of Life Improvements And More - Trailer

by Rainier on April 24, 2025 @ 9:00 a.m. PDT

Hyper Light Breaker is a new 3D co-op adventure set in the beloved Hyper Light universe.

Enter the Overgrowth, a new land in the world of Hyper Light.

Play alone or with friends to explore massive biomes, defeat brutal monsters, create new builds, survive the mysterious Crowns and overthrow the almighty Abyss King in this action rogue-lite adventure from the creators of Hyper Light Drifter.

Hyper Light Breaker is neither a sequel nor a prequel to Hyper Light Drifter. It is set in the universe of Hyper Light and is its own story. It will share threads, aesthetics, lore and other recognizable elements, but is a new game driven by new designs.

This time, you won't be traveling alone through our range of lush though deadly landscapes. You'll be able to play alone or with friends online cooperatively! There will be more hidden truths about the world to uncover, an ever-shifting landscape, and tremendous rewards for exploration.


Arc Games and Heart Machine are excited to reveal the Buried Below update, the first major content update for Hyper Light Breaker in Steam Early Access, will launch on April 29.

The content update will be a game changer, as it’ll bring a slew of new content along with major quality of life changes, including run structure changes inspired by player feedback that will change up the game in Early Access in multiple ways. In a new trailer that debuted today, Michael Clark, Hyper Light Breaker’s Lead Producer, covers everything players need to know about this major update and how it evolves the game in a whole new way.

New Content 

On the content front, Buried Below will bring a new Breaker, “Rondo” – a Breaker who comes from the same region as the recently-debuted Breaker, Ravona, and has a new SyCom with two SyCom perks – a new Crown, “Maw” – the biggest and most menacing Crown yet, two new melee weapons and new environments to explore, including caves. For the new Crown, Early Access players have seen glimpses of her in a couple of ways-- as she’s shown as a Crown that’s possible to fight when readying up to enter the Overgrowth and players have entered her arena in the hostile crystalscape of the Jeweled Spire. The Heart Machine team’s been working hard on getting Maw ready, and they’re thrilled the time has come for players to face her in just a few days! 

Change in Run Structure

Since Early Access launch, the Heart Machine has taken to heart all of the player feedback they’ve received across the board. Inspired by player feedback, the upcoming update will introduce the most significant feature overhaul yet with a complete rework of the game's run structure, as players will now have one life for each run and when they die they will lose items in their inventory, and the Overgrowth will reset. This change was made to balance the game around a more traditional roguelike experience, turning each run into a more consistent and rewarding “zero to hero” adventure than before. This change also allows the Heart Machine to better adjust difficulty and make the game easier to get into, but harder to master, and addresses much of the feedback the team has received from players since Early Access launch. 


This shift in run structure will introduce a few gameplay loops and progression changes to make runs easier, better and ultimately more enjoyable for all players, including veterans and newcomers alike, than before. 

  • 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 like 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.

Improved Onboarding 

The second major addition in the upcoming patch is a brand-new onboarding tutorial that launches automatically the first time players start the game after the update, regardless of save status. This guided experience introduces core mechanics through a structured level that leads to the Cursed Outpost hub. From there, players will gain access to a dedicated space for learning and practicing advanced combat techniques such as dash attacks and parries. Designed to align with the game’s reworked structure and expanded mechanics, this revamped introduction provides a smooth and informative entry point for both new and returning players. 


Key Features:

  • A BRAND NEW 3D WORLD TO EXPLORE
    • A world in disarray, with mysteries to solve, vicious enemies to fight, and fully 3D environments to explore
    • A vast, ever-changing world awaits with massive, open biomes and deep labyrinths
    • Use your wall-dashing, hoverboard, glider and more for incredible freedom across landscapes
  • LEAD THE BREAKERS
    • Play single player or lead your team of Breakers through the Overgrowth in online co-operative play
    • Face hordes of enemies and gigantic bosses in frenetic third-person combat
  • EXPLORE, COLLECT AND DESTROY
    • Discover and unlock a wide arsenal of weapons and items to create the perfect build for every run
    • Learn more about the Overgrowth and the deep storylines hidden within with each death and subsequent attempt
  • HELP THE SETTLEMENT
    • Help the settlement flourish over the course of your journey. Your accomplishments will introduce new colorful characters and permanent upgrades to the hub
    • Visit settlers between each run and discover their unique, evolving stories

Hyper Light Breaker is coming to PC (Steam) in 2026.



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