Hotline Miami Review
Hotline Miami is a classic example that you shouldn't judge a book (or game) by its cover. First impressions from screenshots and videos may leave you thinking of it as a run of the mill, top-down shooter where you blast baddies with guns (with some ultra-violence mixed in); end of story. But if you aren’t familiar with what it actually is, as I was not, then the reality is that Hotline Miami is something much more thrilling, intricate, and insightful than what your initial impression probably suggests. Not only is the action unique and fast paced, it is all accented with an outstanding soundtrack and surprisingly smart narrative in this stellar game by Devolver Digital.
Hotline Miami has you playing in late 1980's Miami, controlling a character who receives phone calls from a mysterious antagonist of sorts. Each phone call provides you with a target to assassinate, who is usually tucked away in a building behind all manner of bodyguards and thugs. Typically you start the level with no more than your fists, but you can steal melee weapons and guns from bad guys to unleash carnage more efficiently. As more missions are completed, newer masks (which can grant you passive buffs) are unlocked, as well as new weapons.
The brilliant twist in Hotline Miami is that enemies move and react at a breakneck pace, and your character dies in a single shot or melee hit. The result is that many levels will have you dying dozens of times if you want to run the level efficiently and with a good score -- thankfully Hotline Miami spends virtually zero time between your death and the start of your next run. Clearing a level feels like a perfectly orchestrated heist of brutality and cunning. It’s very similar to something like Super Meat Boy in that regard, but the gameplay itself is different in a very refreshing and unique way.
In most top-down shooters, you wouldn't expect much in the way of narrative. Hotline Miami doesn't have a stand-out narrative and it’s certainly not the focus here, but I was impressed with the way Devolver Digital used small environmental changes to make large implications to the player. These small breadcrumbs build up to a pretty compelling plot; I found myself attached to a character who speaks virtually no dialogue. It helps that the mood is set so perfectly in Hotline Miami; the music is absolutely perfect for every scene (and amazing on its own as well), and the gritty, colorful graphics create a very realized setting for the action taking place.
One thing worth mentioning is that Hotline Miami is an insanely brutal and violent game. It’s intentionally over the top and discomforting, and frequently your hand will be forced to perform some gratuitous acts against questionably innocent people without reason. What’s unexpected is that HM makes some extraordinary comments on violence in games for those who follow the relatively abstract story. For those interested who have beat the game (or don’t mind some spoilers), I would highly recommend reading Rami Ismail’s excellent article on Gamasutra entitled “Why Hotline Miami is an Important Game.”
That said, you don’t really need to care about the underlying message to enjoy Hotline Miami. It is a rollercoaster of high-octane, violence fueled fun, with some commentary if you care enough about it. The length and difficulty are just right, and it’s hard not to have a smile on your face as you slowly put together your perfect, bloody infiltration to the fantastic soundtrack. Truly, Hotline Miami is one of the most complete and enjoyable games you can play on PC today -- check it out.
