Heart Machine is set to transform its early access title Hyper Light Breaker with a fundamental redesign of the game's core systems. After receiving mixed reviews since its January launch, the developer is responding with a major structural overhaul that shifts the game closer to traditional roguelike mechanics while maintaining some of its extraction shooter elements.
The Buried Below Update
The first major update for Hyper Light Breaker, titled Buried Below, arrives on April 29, 2025, and represents the most significant feature overhaul since the game's early access launch. Heart Machine's decision to completely rework the game's run structure came after players responded enthusiastically to an experimental beta branch released in February that secretly tested a one-life run system. According to lead producer Michael Clark, this hidden prototype received such positive feedback that it convinced the team to fully commit to the new direction.
From Extraction Shooter to True Roguelike
The most dramatic change in the Buried Below update is the shift to a one-life-per-run system. Previously, players had multiple lives before the game would reset progress, which created an uneven difficulty curve that started punishingly hard but became too easy as players accumulated weapons. Under the new system, dying will reset the Overgrowth (the game's procedurally generated world), clear your inventory, and reset boss progress, bringing Hyper Light Breaker more in line with traditional roguelikes.
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| Exciting combat in Hyper Light Breaker, highlighting the new one-life-per-run gameplay mechanic |
Extraction Mechanics Remain, But Transformed
While the game is moving toward a more traditional roguelike structure, it isn't abandoning its extraction elements entirely. Players will still be able to extract from a run to recuperate at the Breaker's hub, but with heightened stakes. The extraction process has been redesigned, no longer requiring timed defense of a position, and instead taking place at obelisks throughout the world that also serve as level-up points. However, extracting now comes with a cost—your progress toward your next level will reset when you extract, adding another layer to the risk-reward calculation.
Meta-Progression Redesign
Heart Machine has completely reimagined the meta-progression system to complement the new run structure. Players will level up their Psycomm (subclass) during runs, with long-term progression allowing for higher level caps on Psycomms. The weapon vault and hoarding mechanics have been eliminated, but to compensate, individual weapons will feature more exciting and powerful unique effects. This change aims to create a more consistent difficulty curve while still providing that satisfying zero to hero power fantasy within each run.
New Character, Weapons, and Environments
The update introduces a new Breaker called Rondo, a ninja-like speedster focused on parries and dodges. Rondo comes with two new melee weapons: the Gloom Shiv glaive with wuxia-inspired moves and the Dream Blade katana featuring sweeping attacks reminiscent of Sekiro. The update also adds new environments to explore, including cave systems, and a new crown called Maw.
Character Differentiation and Improved Onboarding
Heart Machine is further distinguishing characters from one another by limiting certain weapon types to specific characters, solidifying their unique playstyles. SyComs will now follow more of a class-like system with redesigned character customization. For newcomers, an improved tutorial will guide players through the game's core mechanics, which should benefit both first-time players and returning veterans looking for a refresher on the basics.
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| Three distinct characters from Hyper Light Breaker, representing diverse playstyles and abilities |
Community Response and Future Plans
This overhaul represents Heart Machine's commitment to responding constructively to player feedback despite the mixed reviews Hyper Light Breaker received at launch. Clark emphasized that this will likely be the most significant progression and systems change during the early access period, with another major update planned for summer 2025. To celebrate the Buried Below update, Heart Machine is partnering with Wccftech to give away 20 game keys beginning May 7, 2025.
The Buried Below update marks a pivotal moment for Hyper Light Breaker as it redefines its identity in the competitive roguelike and extraction shooter space. By embracing the elements that resonated most with players while maintaining its distinctive neon sci-fi aesthetic and fluid action gameplay, Heart Machine aims to create a more cohesive and engaging experience that better fulfills the potential players saw in the game's core mechanics.