[Spoilers] The Story of The Hyper Light Drifter Explained and Analysed [SPECULATION]

[Javerlin]

Edit 22/09/2019: After much deliberation, I have decided to take this post down. I feel as though this post has stifled discussion around a game with themes and stories I would like to be discussed more. If I could go back in time I wouldn't have pushed some ideas I had so forcefully. As such I feel like this post is not, and was never, fit for purpose. I know that taking this post down now is not likely to have much effect on the lore zeitgeist of this game, but I feel this is necessary.

I see many of the ideas that were posited in this thread being repeated as though it were canon. I have, since time of writing, changed my mind on much of what I had written especially the details. As such I have removed the post. I think there is a slightly outdated version floating in the depths of the steam forums if you really wish to read this post again.

If at any point I re-write this post I will link to it from here.

[Javerlin]

Edit 22/09/2019: After much deliberation, I have decided to take this post down. I feel as though this post has stifled discussion around a game with themes and stories I would like to be discussed more. If I could go back in time I wouldn't have pushed some ideas I had so forcefully. As such I feel like this post is not, and was never, fit for purpose. I know that taking this post down now is not likely to have much effect on the lore zitegeist of this game, but I feel this is necessary.

I see many of the ideas that were posited in this thread being repeated as though it were canon. I have, since time of writing, changed my mind on much of what I had writen especially the details. As such I have removed the post. I think there is a slightly outdated version floating in the depths of the steam forums if you really wish to read this post again.

If at any point I re-write this post I will link to it from here.

[Javerlin]

Edit 22/09/2019: After much deliberation, I have decided to take this post down. I feel as though this post has stifled discussion around a game with themes and stories I would like to be discussed more. If I could go back in time I wouldn't have pushed some ideas I had so forcefully. As such I feel like this post is not, and was never, fit for purpose. I know that taking this post down now is not likely to have much effect on the lore zitegeist of this game, but I feel this is necessary.

I see many of the ideas that were posited in this thread being repeated as though it were canon. I have, since time of writing, changed my mind on much of what I had writen especially the details. As such I have removed the post. I think there is a slightly outdated version floating in the depths of the steam forums if you really wish to read this post again.

If at any point I re-write this post I will link to it from here.

[odangutan]

I've read through this and there are some great ideas but I have to say, and no offence intended, but you need an editor/proof-reader. This could become an excellent work with a bit more narrative flow (and all the spelling errors corrected).

[Javerlin]

Originally posted by odangutan:

I've read through this and there are some great ideas but I have to say, and no offence intended, but you need an editor/proof-reader. This could become an excellent work with a bit more narrative flow (and all the spelling errors corrected).

Damn it I thought I got all the spelling errors. Narative flow is a little hard, This is 16 a4 pages long and it's been mashed together over a couple of days. I'll try and sort those spellings now.

[Javerlin]

Got all the spelling mistakes, worth bearing in mind I'm english and dsylexic though.

[odangutan]

There's a few repeated misspellings and also some inaccurate word use (you use hubris as an adjective when you mean hubristic, I recall).

I'm happy to help out. I copy edit in my spare time.

[Javerlin]

Originally posted by odangutan:

There's a few repeated misspellings and also some inaccurate word use (you use hubris as an adjective when you mean hubristic, I recall).

I'm happy to help out. I copy edit in my spare time.

I'll get that hubristic now. As for repeats, yeah I put everything into google docs before I post it so it might auto correct my mistakes to the wrong word.

[Javerlin]

Originally posted by Magic Spazm:

The real story is that your parents were killed when you were a child so you grow up to be the protector of your crime filled city. Constantly dealing with strange criminals like a clown and a plant lady.

Only to find this was all a simulation and humans are being used as a power source by machines to relight the first flame. A device that sends your best friend "Cpt Kirk" in the real world back in time so he can ♥♥♥♥ your mother to conceive you as you fight the machine army and stop the death star (piolted by lord voldermort, holder of the one ring)? So the game ends with you having a vampire daughter who rapidly ages and also marries your best friend. But a sequal is teased where Cpt. America and Iron man fight for control of the star forge so they can take marty back to the future and save cpt. jack sparrow from emporer ming who controls the tardis with his navi followers?

[Robin]

Btw you say that the blueskins are seen in the underground lab in the last part of the game, but I've never seen them (I played through the game 4 times and kept my eyes open for it after the first time).
Not that I disbelief you, but do you have a screenshot by chance?

[Javerlin]

Originally posted by Robin:

Btw you say that the blueskins are seen in the underground lab in the last part of the game, but I've never seen them (I played through the game 4 times and kept my eyes open for it after the first time).
Not that I disbelief you, but do you have a screenshot by chance?

I can get one, I'm on GOG though so It'll be a puush

[BaneOfOrion]

I've seen them, but i've been playing on the humble bundle version, which for me means still no screenshots. Its in the boss dungeon in a few spots.

[Javerlin]

Originally posted by JucyJigglers:

Originally posted by Robin:

Btw you say that the blueskins are seen in the underground lab in the last part of the game, but I've never seen them (I played through the game 4 times and kept my eyes open for it after the first time).
Not that I disbelief you, but do you have a screenshot by chance?

I can get one, I'm on GOG though so It'll be a puush

Here you go http://puu.sh/o7A7b/fe38e26a35.jpg It's a puush so it only lasts for 30 days. also still no gog patch yet, so I didnt get my 16 key costume :'(

He's the Blues in he forest http://puu.sh/o7Ae6/c12683ad56.jpg

[QuantumLeap215]

That is probably the greatest thing I've ever heard. This third theory, right here. The official story of Hyper Light Drifter.

[Javerlin]

Originally posted by QuantumLeap215:

That is probably the greatest thing I've ever heard. This third theory, right here. The official story of Hyper Light Drifter.

See the thing is, I still know I have some things wrong, and a lot of it is plausably filling in the blanks. I don't want this to be seen as the official canon story, as I don't think there is a canon. Mr preston probably left things open to interpritation for a reason. So yeah if you disagree with anything feel free to, or make up your whole own story.

I just make such a fuss about clues and facts becuse I'm trying to get as close to canon as possible and still fill in all the blanks. If you want to make up you own story, facts be damned go ahead! I'm just a picky douche who will argue with you for no good reason.

[QuantumLeap215]

But to be serious, I think this theory has some credence. It's certainly well thought out, which I respect greatly. I personally believe that the story is a bit less mythical and deity driven, My current best guess is that the Drifter's (the one you play as) illness is causing a series of delusions and that the whole playable adventure is either a metaphorical representation of the struggle to come to terms with the illness or some sort of purgatory/afterlife-ish world like Foo from the Leven Thumps series or the Spirit Realms from Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword. I understand that theory has holes in it as well, but to me it sounds like a better explanation for why the Drifter doesn't truly die when falling in battle and for why both Judgement and "Anubis" (Does he not have a trading card?) seem so hallucinogenic.

But that's probably just me. Thanks for all the hard work guys.