Hotline Miami

From the music to the level design Hotline Miami is a real treat. It can get rather difficult in parts and there are some issues I had, but I assume those were poor luck on my part. One of those games where your pulse pounds as you frantically look for the last baddie on the map. You notice they have a gun and all you've got is a knife. That split second where you hope your knife sticks. It's a rush.

I finished the Linux port of this nice little game and had a blast. Sure the whole insta-death thing is frustrating at times, but the fast action loaded gameplay with those ridiculously gory and oldschool visuals got me hooked. I'm still collecting the last masks and letters. The final boss was mean but the moment you realize how to beat him/them he is done really fast and the bonus missions were quite nice. I wished there would be a bigger variety of missions like the ones after the final boss, but I haven't found any mods. The only downside for me is the annoying music, I wished they'd implemented some nice 8 bit chiptunes or metal/hard rock instead of this techno stuff, but whatever. This game gives many nods to one of my favourite games from this era "Dreamweb", I highly recommend this one, although it's way darker/depressing and less action packed. The one thing that it lacks is a level editor (and therefore enabling community support) like the second part has, because although the original missions are great and have a replay value indeed, they aren't that many.

Hypnotizing, fast, addictive. Awesome.

Hotline Miami is a 2D top-down action shooter. The pixelated graphic style may turn you away, but you don't want to miss what is underneath. The graphics is a really drug-tripping experience and that is part of what the story is about. The graphics may not be award winning, but it fits the game and that is what matters most. And The first time I saw the bloody killing animations made me cringe, but after awhile I got use to it. But, this is not a mindless shooter. You will need to think of what is the best way to take out all of your foes by either mowing them down with a machine gun or pick them off with a pipe. A good variety of weapons that unlock during the game. The controls are very responsive and it needs to be with all of the fast action in the game. I recommend using a gamepad, but some may find that using the mouse is better. The music is goes well with the game and is very catchy. You'll be humming it after you stop playing. It really absorbs you into the game. The story is lacking, but is leaves room for interpretation. More of the story is fleshed out in the 2nd game. I really enjoyed playing the game. It has great music, addictive game play and a story with metaphors that leaves interpretation of the story to the player. The game demands great reflexes, so it may be rather hard for casual to amateur players.

The gameplay, the art, the lore that surrounds it, the entire soundtrack without exception, form an incredible whole, thus giving an exceptional video game, a complete must-play.