u/Sonoriloj-k-Fajfiloj

https://preview.redd.it/70oe46z265ah1.png?width=527&format=png&auto=webp&s=2a452765df32232f04a4e297ac436e072d101ed7

I've heard a lot of good things about Hyper Light Drifter. I really like other indie games like Oneshot and Celeste, so I was pretty excited. I also made a vow to not use any guides or walkthroughs. First hour in, I'm absolutely wowed - I love the art, the combat is fun (if occasionally irritating), the controls feel great, and I really like the presentation.

I tried the East area first, and for a while I was having a great time making progress, until eventually I just got...stuck. Maybe it's a skill issue or the confusing map, but I assumed that I was missing something and would just have to backtrack, which is fine with me. So I left and went to the West area, where basically the same thing happened. So then I went to the North, where I'm currently at.

I'm genuinely not sure if I'm just being stupid or missing something, but the exploration feels like a lot of treading old ground and fighting the same enemies repeatedly until somehow something changes. I think it wouldn't be as boring for me if there was some kind of clearer goal than just "here's where the boss is, get there." I don't dislike having a character you don't know much about, but when the gameplay loop becomes boring and the goals feel arbitrary, I'm not very motivated.

All that said, it's a gorgeous game - brilliant atmosphere, fun mechanics - and I understand why so many people love it, but I'm not sure if it's just something wrong with how I'm playing, but for whatever reason, I'm just not having much fun. Is it just a me problem, am I missing something?

Edit: For the record, I do make an active effort to look for secrets. Celeste is one of my favorite games of all time, and it's full of secret spots, but 90% in this game I find nothing, even when pressing into every wall.