I went into Hotline Miami expecting a good game, but not expecting it to live up to its hype. I was so wrong. This game is fantastic. Never has killing pixelated thugs felt so raw and satisfying. It is violence to the point of excess, which fits perfectly within the setting and timeframe of the drug fueled 1980s Miami that is depicted. Everything is seen through a dreamy, neon haze that is reminiscent of the visual style of Nicolas Winding Refn, with a narrative that pays homage to the works of David Lynch. At times, it's hard to tell whether you are really killing all these people or if it's all happening in your head- the lines between what's real and what's not is constantly blurred. In what plays out like a mescaline-induced psychadelic fever dream, you play a murderous psychopath with an affinity for animal masks. I won't go into details about the story, although there isn't much in terms of story - the focus is placed on the superb gameplay mechanics. HM is a tough, but fair game. If you walk into a room you best come prepared; not every situation can be solved with a shotgun alone. Get used to dying. However, when you die, you're immediately respawned to the floor you were on, and you can keep trying until you finally succeed. It's addicting. Even when things got frustrating and I kept getting slaughtered, I couldn't stop. Just one more try. One hour later, I've died about 300 times - just one more try. It's virtual crack. A genuine time eater. Hotline Miami is a brutal, white knuckle, incredibly satisfying exploration into the darkest parts of the human condition. It taps into our rawest, animalistic emotions, enticing players to kill with reckless abandon, using a combonation of weapons and attacks at a blistering pace to rack up big points, in an effort to pick up masks to improve the ways we can murder more thugs, with more efficiency and ruthlessness, and obtain more points to unlock more weapons and thus the vicious cycle continues. Buy it now!
Firewatch has a lot of positive aspects, such as a beautiful art style, great dialogue, an immersive setting, and a great, albeit small ambient soundtrack. However, while Firewatch may look amazing, beneath the shiny veneer is a game that feels empty inside. I've only played a handful of walking simulators, but I’ve had a good time overall with most of these “games” - a term I use very loosely, as there is little actual game play featured in works such as Gone Home and the Vanishing of Ethan Carter. Their focus is on creating an engaging narrative and world for the player to explore. However, if the story, setting, or characters fails to resonate with the player, the game becomes less of an adventure and more of a chore to sit through. This could be said for any genre of video game, but unlike walking simulators, great game play can make up for even the most mediocre, paint-by-numbers story. Which brings us back to Firewatch. I didn't feel the plot was all that compelling. The majority of the game is spent exploring the vast Wyoming wilderness as Henry, talking to a woman named Delilah via radio. The dialogue feels very natural in part thanks to the great voice work, yet, apart from moments of silly banter between the two, the rest of the story is pretty bland. There are some nice moments, but I wish the writers explored the two characters emotions and backstories more deeply. Exposition is told mostly through radio, but not much else. The story also lacks conflict for the protagonists to overcome, and what little trouble there is does nothing to help develop growth, individually or through their relationship. It just happens. Again, this could’ve been mitigated if the game play was fun, but it’s not. You essentially go from point A to B in a slow, linear fashion, occasionally using tools to break up the monotony of walking and listening to the radio about people and issues you won’t care about. Firewatch: a game with a lot of style but not a lot of substance.
