Hyper Light Drifter (2016): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 86 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 4.5

Runs today5 / 5
Design today3.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Very Positive

17,843 reviews93% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2016
Developer: Heart Machine
Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie, RPG
Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does Hyper Light Drifter run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Expected to work. It is sold for Windows today and no problem is on record. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	Steam sells a Mac version. Not yet confirmed on Apple Silicon. SourceNo player reports yet
Linux	Yes, there is a native Linux version. SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Verified by Valve: it works great on Steam Deck. SourceNo player reports yet

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Synopsis

A top-down action adventure in a ruined, neon-colored world, where a sick wanderer called the Drifter explores four regions in search of a cure. You slash, dash and shoot through tough fights, uncover hidden paths and secrets, and piece together a story told entirely without words.

What people say

Critics in 2016 praised its striking pixel art, Disasterpeace's soundtrack and fast, precise combat that rewards learning, along with a mysterious world full of secrets, while noting it can be as frustrating as it is rewarding. Some reviewers felt its wordless storytelling left the ending flat. Players today still admire the style and the challenge but often report feeling lost, describe the map as hard to use, find the story too vague and the early game confusing, and some mention input issues with mouse and keyboard.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 5 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✓Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
✓Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 3.5 / 5

✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardCritics call the combat precise and it plays well on a controller, which players recommend, though some find mouse dashing and the chain dash inconsistent. Source: opencritic.com, vaporlens.app.
✗Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensThe map is widely criticized as confusing and hard to use, and the wordless interface leaves much unexplained. Source: vaporlens.app.
✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressDeaths return you to a nearby checkpoint, and complaints about lost progress concern the lack of cloud saves rather than the design; evidence on this point is thin. Source: vaporlens.app.
✗It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressPlayers often feel lost early on with little direction, and many turn to outside guides to find their way and its secrets. Source: vaporlens.app.
✓Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingFast action and a short campaign leave little room for grinding or filler; evidence on backtracking for collectibles is thin. Source: vaporlens.app, opencritic.com.
✓Camera and movement never fight the playerThe fixed top-down view draws no common complaint, and movement is described as fast and precise; evidence on the camera itself is thin. Source: opencritic.com, vaporlens.app.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.