I saw a few screenshots of Hotline Miami and expected a quirky Grand Theft Auto clone like the charming Retro City Rampage. What I got was the most violently psychotic experience I've had the pleasure of playing in a while.
The dismantled story was difficult to deconstruct. I was too caught up in kill, kill, kill. I'll do my best to summarize: Countless thugs await around corners for you to mangle in any way you see fit. Who are you? Some dude in a varsity jacket that wears animal masks and takes big-time hit jobs.
Hotline is absolutely filthy from the blood, drugs, and language to the dirty little beats that get your blood pumping and coming back for more, even after having to retry every five seconds. You can only take one blow like your enemies, but quick restarts should encourage the player to mindlessly brawl into rooms with guns blazing at least a few times before having to take a slower, more stealthy approach if need be.
I had some trouble with the targeting system on occasion, but otherwise the control is spot-on and can be explained within seconds, reminiscent of the retro games that share its look and sound.
If I had to say it was like anything else, games like Loaded and Project Overkill for the original Playstation come to mind. But in those games, dying was a major setback and the levels were longer and not nearly as detailed... or fun.
The creators claim to have been inspired by the film Drive, but I was getting more of a schizophrenic serial killer vibe the likes of Killer7 by Suda51. Hotline actually has the 1-up on Killer7 in terms of playability and pace.
The story is perhaps best left unexamined and ambiguous. The undeniable draw to the characters may actually be within the costumes and art style. You really can't beat a good costume.
Foremost, Hotline Miami is a twisted thrill-ride of murder, death, kill. Plain and simple. Grab a weapon and get wet.
The dismantled story was difficult to deconstruct. I was too caught up in kill, kill, kill. I'll do my best to summarize: Countless thugs await around corners for you to mangle in any way you see fit. Who are you? Some dude in a varsity jacket that wears animal masks and takes big-time hit jobs.
Hotline is absolutely filthy from the blood, drugs, and language to the dirty little beats that get your blood pumping and coming back for more, even after having to retry every five seconds. You can only take one blow like your enemies, but quick restarts should encourage the player to mindlessly brawl into rooms with guns blazing at least a few times before having to take a slower, more stealthy approach if need be.
I had some trouble with the targeting system on occasion, but otherwise the control is spot-on and can be explained within seconds, reminiscent of the retro games that share its look and sound.
If I had to say it was like anything else, games like Loaded and Project Overkill for the original Playstation come to mind. But in those games, dying was a major setback and the levels were longer and not nearly as detailed... or fun.
The creators claim to have been inspired by the film Drive, but I was getting more of a schizophrenic serial killer vibe the likes of Killer7 by Suda51. Hotline actually has the 1-up on Killer7 in terms of playability and pace.
The story is perhaps best left unexamined and ambiguous. The undeniable draw to the characters may actually be within the costumes and art style. You really can't beat a good costume.
Foremost, Hotline Miami is a twisted thrill-ride of murder, death, kill. Plain and simple. Grab a weapon and get wet.