CONTENTS

Background 3
Controls 4
Playing the Game 6
Sword Upgrades 8
Dash Upgrades 10
Weapons 12
Special Shop 14
Apothecary 15
Enemies 16
The World 18
Credits 20

BACKGROUND

Drifters of this world are the collectors of forgotten

knowledge, lost technologies and broken histories.

You will encounter many creatures of different creeds

throughout your adventures, friend and foe. Be wary of
this savage land and the remaining peoples.

2 3
 BACKGROUND

Drifters of this world are the collectors of forgotten

knowledge, lost technologies and broken histories.

You will encounter many creatures of different creeds

throughout your adventures, friend and foe. Be wary of
this savage land and the remaining peoples.

2 3

CONTROLS
KEYBOARD+
PS4 XBOX MOUSE

MOVE W A S D

AIM MOUSE

SHOOT RMB

HEAL Q

SPECIAL C

INTERACT E

SWORD LMB

DASH SPACE

SWAP
1
WEAPON

INVENTORY TAb

MENU ESC

SIT z

4 5
CONTROLS
KEYBOARD+
PS4 XBOX MOUSE

MOVE W A S D

AIM MOUSE

SHOOT RMB

HEAL Q

SPECIAL C

INTERACT E

SWORD LMB

DASH SPACE

SWAP
1
WEAPON

INVENTORY TAb

MENU ESC

SIT z

4 5

PLAYING THE GAME

MOVING EXPLORING
Use the left stick or You’ll find many mysterious artifacts, gear and hidden
movement keys to walk. locations as you delve deeper into the world. Legends
The most basic way of and myths hint at their meaning—but it’s up to the Drifter
getting around. to uncover their true nature.

DAShiNG
Press the dash button to
clear gaps or to quickly
reposition yourself in battle.

ATTACKING
Your trusty hard light
sword is always by your
side. Press the sword
button to slash.

SHOOTING
Aim and shoot to dispatch
enemies from a distance.
You can recharge ammo by
by using the sword.

6 7
PLAYING THE GAME

MOVING EXPLORING
Use the left stick or You’ll find many mysterious artifacts, gear and hidden
movement keys to walk. locations as you delve deeper into the world. Legends
The most basic way of and myths hint at their meaning—but it’s up to the Drifter
getting around. to uncover their true nature.

DAShiNG
Press the dash button to
clear gaps or to quickly
reposition yourself in battle.

ATTACKING
Your trusty hard light
sword is always by your
side. Press the sword
button to slash.

SHOOTING
Aim and shoot to dispatch
enemies from a distance.
You can recharge ammo by
by using the sword.

6 7

SWORD UPGRADES

The Swordmaster will teach you new techniques, and

show you how to modify your hard light sword. Come
visit him once you’re ready—you might learn a new thing
or two.

HEAVY STRIKE
Alter the heft and weight of your hard light
sword, allowing you to strike enemies with a
harder, heavier swing.

BULLET DEFLECT
Time your swings just right and deflect
projectiles coming your way. Maybe even
back at your enemies.

PHANTOM STRIKE
A piercing attack perfect for dealing damage
to multiple enemies and quickly repositioning
yourself while in the fray.

8 9
SWORD UPGRADES

The Swordmaster will teach you new techniques, and

show you how to modify your hard light sword. Come
visit him once you’re ready—you might learn a new thing
or two.

HEAVY STRIKE
Alter the heft and weight of your hard light
sword, allowing you to strike enemies with a
harder, heavier swing.

BULLET DEFLECT
Time your swings just right and deflect
projectiles coming your way. Maybe even
back at your enemies.

PHANTOM STRIKE
A piercing attack perfect for dealing damage
to multiple enemies and quickly repositioning
yourself while in the fray.

8 9

DASh UPGRADES

Drop by the arena to practice your dashing. The

proprietor is a seasoned pro, he’ll teach you some
advanced techniques that will be nefit any drifter.

CHAIN DASH
Chain your dashes in succession and you’ll be
able to travel further, faster. Just don’t mess
up the rhythm.

BULLET ABSORB
Absorb the enemy’s projectiles while
dashing—with the added benefit of
recharging some of your own ammo.

DASH ATTACK
Dash at your enemies with your sword,
great for knocking them out of the way and
dispersing them.

10 11
DASh UPGRADES

Drop by the arena to practice your dashing. The

proprietor is a seasoned pro, he’ll teach you some
advanced techniques that will be nefit any drifter.

CHAIN DASH
Chain your dashes in succession and you’ll be
able to travel further, faster. Just don’t mess
up the rhythm.

BULLET ABSORB
Absorb the enemy’s projectiles while
dashing—with the added benefit of
recharging some of your own ammo.

DASH ATTACK
Dash at your enemies with your sword,
great for knocking them out of the way and
dispersing them.

10 11

WEAPONS

The one-stop shop for weapons maintenance and

upgrading. The gunsmith knows hows to get the best out
of any firearm you might find.

PISTOL ZELISKA

Your basic sidearm, fast Heavy pistol, trades

and reliable. speed for power.

Diamond
Blunderbuss SHotgun

A powerful weapon, Extra spread for

great for close quarters. maximum coverage.

IMPACT
RAILGUN RAILGUN

A long-range laser with Slow but devastating,

excellent penetration. with extreme range.

12 13
WEAPONS

The one-stop shop for weapons maintenance and

upgrading. The gunsmith knows hows to get the best out
of any firearm you might find.

PISTOL ZELISKA

Your basic sidearm, fast Heavy pistol, trades

and reliable. speed for power.

Diamond
Blunderbuss SHotgun

A powerful weapon, Extra spread for

great for close quarters. maximum coverage.

IMPACT
RAILGUN RAILGUN

A long-range laser with Slow but devastating,

excellent penetration. with extreme range.

12 13

SPECIAL SHOP APOTHECARY

The special grenade is ideal for tackling Med kits are invaluable to a drifter, allowing
large groups. The tech at the shop can you to heal anywhere. Stop by the
upgrade your gear to carry more. apothecary for more carrying capacity.

14 15
SPECIAL SHOP APOTHECARY

The special grenade is ideal for tackling Med kits are invaluable to a drifter, allowing
large groups. The tech at the shop can you to heal anywhere. Stop by the
upgrade your gear to carry more. apothecary for more carrying capacity.

14 15

ENEMIES
Enemies

16 17
ENEMIES
Enemies

16 17

THE WORLD
18 19
THE WORLD
18 19

CREDITS

HEART MACHINE QA TESTING

Alx Preston Sean Ward The Research Centaur
Creator Heart Machine + Animation / Cinematics / UX+QA
Hyper Light Drifter / Art Lead / Design Assistance
Story / Design / Team Lead / QA Lead
Husk of a Human Disasterpeace Jay Fernandes
Music + Ambience
Beau Blyth QA Testers
Design + Code / Akash Thakkar Lucia Aldana
Combat / Prototype Sound Design Joshua Palmer
Larry J. Bolden II
Teddy Dief Lisa Brown John Micaud
Design + Code / Additional Level Design Design Assistance
Narrative Design / Producing
Cosimo Galluzzi
Casey Hunt Art Support / Cinematics
Story + World Building /
Narrative Design + Cohesion /
Level Design

Additional SPECIAL
Contributions SUPPORT
Baths Rob Lopatto YoYo Games
Kickstarter Trailer Music Additional Art Support
Mike Dailly
Aaron Melcher Ian Schlaepfer Peter Hall
Additional Code + Port Work Additional Art Assets Russell Kay
Mike Rennie
Paul Veer Jesse Balmer Stuart Poole
Additional Animation Additional Art Assets Ross Manthorp
Sandy Duncan
Kurtis Mitchell John Leffingwell Original Game Maker
Additional Ambience Additional Code by Mark Overmars

20 21
CREDITS

HEART MACHINE QA TESTING

Alx Preston Sean Ward The Research Centaur
Creator Heart Machine + Animation / Cinematics / UX+QA
Hyper Light Drifter / Art Lead / Design Assistance
Story / Design / Team Lead / QA Lead
Husk of a Human Disasterpeace Jay Fernandes
Music + Ambience
Beau Blyth QA Testers
Design + Code / Akash Thakkar Lucia Aldana
Combat / Prototype Sound Design Joshua Palmer
Larry J. Bolden II
Teddy Dief Lisa Brown John Micaud
Design + Code / Additional Level Design Design Assistance
Narrative Design / Producing
Cosimo Galluzzi
Casey Hunt Art Support / Cinematics
Story + World Building /
Narrative Design + Cohesion /
Level Design

Additional SPECIAL
Contributions SUPPORT
Baths Rob Lopatto YoYo Games
Kickstarter Trailer Music Additional Art Support
Mike Dailly
Aaron Melcher Ian Schlaepfer Peter Hall
Additional Code + Port Work Additional Art Assets Russell Kay
Mike Rennie
Paul Veer Jesse Balmer Stuart Poole
Additional Animation Additional Art Assets Ross Manthorp
Sandy Duncan
Kurtis Mitchell John Leffingwell Original Game Maker
Additional Ambience Additional Code by Mark Overmars

20 21
22