Hotline Miami

Kinda hard, but very unique and fun. For a couple bucks, some of the best few hours you can have.

Fast paced, top down shooter with pixel art out the ass and gore to match it. Tight spaces and lightning quick movement combine themselves with tactical gunplay and positioning to marry the twitchiest gamers and the most tactical minds into one neon-soaked bloodbath.

10/10 i froth at the mouth when i see an eastern european

I suck at this game but it's one of the only games I've ever played that made me want to get better at it just so I could continue playing it. The absolutely awesome soundtrack and all the gloriously pixelated gore and violence were just too good for me to resist.

This game is fast paced and thrilling. The style fits the theme (80s) with that 'vaporwave' effect throughout the game and music with an almost 'trippy' feeling to it. The music fits the events happening in-game.
The controls are a little complicated but once you're used to them it's easy to play. There's a practice level at the start of the game to get you used to it.
I also enjoy the characters and the story. I like the collectable aspects and replay value.
There's no lengthy transitions between death and resetting to the last checkpoint, it's instead instant upon pressing the R key. It keeps the flow of action going strongly.

I've played this studio's other game called KEYBOARD DRUMSET F***ING WEREWOLF, which I would also highly recommend. It's known as "lost media" and can be downloaded for free online. It's a good 100x more difficult than this game, I am not over blowing that. If you like the style of this game i'd suggest checking out KDFW too! All around good games, both are.

Kick open doors, annihilate everything in sight, and restart 101 times because you forgot the guy in the bathroom has a gun
10/10 game

Overwhelmingly fun pick-up-and-play game. Great replay mechanics and modifiers to keep the game feeling fresh each time. Enjoyable in short bursts or long playtimes to get the blood pumping, with a beautifully deep and well-written plot below, that talks to the player and asks them clearly: do you like hurting other people? Great game, wish I could give it higher than just recommended.

the gameplay is extremely fun, so much so that i didnt pay attention to the story enough to remember it

Fun game and with goof music it's short as well and can be beaten in one sitting, I love the vibes and the game knows what it is which is a fast-paced game about shooting random mobsters cuz of schizorphrenia or a phone idk John wick

played it back about 12 years ago, new year's day into night... good memory, smoked a lot of weed back then.

go easy on the weed.

very good game very good story and very good gameplay

Incredible game. The perfect combination of fast-paced gameplay, beautiful art style, story that encourages you to piece together many clues found in the game to understand it, very good replayability and a phenomenal soundtrack.

It´s a great stress reliver, plus the story is quite neat

beautiful game, stunning pixelated visuals, fantastic combat and gore, and a superb story. completely worth the money 10/10

Cathartic, pixelated violence with a thumping beat and the moreish-ness of a rogue-like. It's not perfect by any means, the ai is occasionally dense and your perfect, balletic violence often devolves into panicked flailing as you fight the imperfect aim controls and try to stay alive. But those moments are often the most exciting part of playing hotline Miami.

Difficulty wise HM is quite forgiving. Whilst it does increase as you progress and there are a few annoying spikes (bosses especially), HM is extremely doable and doesn't require perfect reflexes (unless you want an A grade on each level). Even the unlockable masks that give you a passive boost of some kind don't require you to score too highly on each level. This is all despite the fact that you die in one hit. On death you're only one button press away from restarting that section and the levels aren't large enough to make your many deaths frustrating. Dying is also the way you learn the levels and enemy movements, plus the locations of weapons.

Speaking of weapons, there are loads; both melee and ranged. Melee are better for the silent approach, but you have to be quick on the kill and careful where you aim. Guns are for drawing guys towards you, to then mow down, but miss, and you're pretty much fucked. Both are incredibly satisfying to use when you manage to chain some kills together. Plus it looks cool.

The story isn't anything to write home about but it breaks the frantic action up beautifully, giving you a breather despite being in game. There's a bit of visual storytelling going on too, which I liked. Basically think the film Drive with a little bit of Leaving Las Vegas weirdness.

I'm not overly keen on the warped pixelated graphical style but it fits the theme I guess, and there's an obnoxious bob effect that might put some people off. There's a little repetition at times too, but that's mainly down to me having to redo the levels again, and in a game as quick as this that's not necessarily a bad thing. Overall then I'd thoroughly recommend HM for those of you wishing to murder in style.

Really funny indie game with challenging gameplay, very good visual style and music

A true classic, when I was a kid I loved watching others play it, loved playing it as an adult, and will forever remember it even after uninstalling this master-piece.

i love this game
10/10
the gameplay is hard asf but still the game is fire
don't mind abt the time i just want to buy the wallpaper

upedate: my mom beat my ass up because hotline miami 2 intro but still the game is 10/10 (bro u don't have to do that in the first intro)

My absolute favourite game ever. Lots of violence, lots of skill, wonderful writing and absolutely stunning art. 100% recommend to people who have anger issues and plenty of boredom, haha.

Spent just under 4 hours and went through all the levels, fun game with a bit of problem solving and alot of fast paced murder :3 Solid game and definitely worth picking up for a short and fun experience.

Fast movement, violence and music. All perfect. No complaints. Lovely Silver Lights, I want to stay there forever.

This game is a work of art. Puzzles, action, combat, story, game play, and strategy all in an unassuming package. And the SOUNDTRACK!!! Oh my goodness the soundtrack.

Hotline Miami is a retro aesthetic top-down action game set in 1980's Miami. The player controls an enigmatic nameless protagonist who receives phone calls with instructions to assassinate targets. The story itself is vague and cryptic, and I never really quite understood why I was entering these different venues and murdering everyone. I guess one could say its open to interpretation. The gameplay is fast, and violently brutal with an emphasis on precision and reflexes. Death is a constant companion because enemies can end a run with a single hit. Enemy pattern recognition is essential and there are many strategies that can be used to clear levels. The player can pick up various melee and ranged weapons, and perform gruesome executions on the fly. The game is inherently difficult but respawns occur instantly and keep the immersion and action going. The soundtrack is hands down one of the best aspects of this game, and is instrumental in elevating the experience. Each track pulses to the action and draws us deeper into this twisted world. With a unique blend of visual style, addictive combat, and euphonic soundtrack, Hotline Miami has gathered a cult following among the gaming masses. And for good reason.

Brilliant top-down-shooter! 10/10 (better than the sequel)
Very good music. Precise controls. The flow is just right - not too slow nor too fast. Great arsenal of weapons and maps. Offers creativity in how you want to approach each level. The pixel art looks good and works as a canvas for your imagination. The animations have just the right touch of gore. Getting 100% achievements was a challenge, but an enjoyable one. Didn't feel like a sturdy grind at all! The funny and smart story puts the gameplay into context, so that everything suddenly makes perfect sense.
Timeless gem of indie games.

Well, the other comments define pretty well what it is about. I loved it as well. Finished in 8 hours and could not stopped until finished. Soundtrack is excellent and matching the spirit. Dying is not (too much) frustrating as I expected. I like the masks options but only used 1 or 2 that stood out. I guess it depends of your style. Great game, great gameplay, great story, great music. If you like the video presentation, you will likely like the game as well.

It looks simple in gameplay, but it is not. There is a minimum of visual noise. The plot, to my surprise for such a short game, is rich and addictive, with a touch of schizophrenia.
The music in the background is a special treat. My spotify has been updated :)

4/3/2022

This is a fast-paced top-down shooter that can get difficult to beat really fast. Enemies have quick reflexes and can one-shot you through doors/around corners if you're not careful. It can be fun, but also get frustrating. The mechanics are simple and easy to learn, just hard to master in use against the enemies. This is also the kind of game that can be speed run in about 4 hours or less if you know what you're doing.

I'd recommend this game for casual fans of shooter games.

the biker makes me feel a special way

Gun-tastic gameplay that I and probably you won't be able pick down until you are finished.

Really good game. Outstanding soundtrack and art style. Unsurpassed gameplay. Found it a bit hard to follow the thread of the story, but worked well enough to keep me hooked and surprise me even though expecting really anything from this title.

Unlike other people say, I didn't find this game hard. Its difficulty felt just perfect for me and never felt frustrating nor unfair. Definitely recommend it; got no complaints about the game. 10/10.

Don't know what was written in the code of this game, but running it got me high AF.

Sure, there are some small hiccups, mostly around doors and sometimes the camera may be dazing, but it was the most bloodthirsty i have been playing any game and it was worth it.

so much so that i am officially labeled an achievement whore by the game (100% achievements).
The soundtrack is also amazing too, check it out (and the artists).
8.9/10

Extremely fun and challenging game play.
I don't get the plot but personally, you don't really play this game for the plot. It's a mix of strategy, trial & error and its perfect execution.
It's really fun trying to figure out the order in which you are gonna go for the enemies, once you have the strategy down, it's all about balls to the wall action.
It was initially not all that fun (first two-three chapters are easy and then you hit a wall) because I wasn't really comfortable with top-down controls and it did feel very unfair when I got one shot. Getting over that and changing my strategy for each stage (not just chapters) after a few attempts did change my experience with the game. It made me come back wanting for more and completing it.
Don't really have to mention anything about the music, I do believe most new players like me got introduced to the game through the music. It's fast-paced and fun, you don't get tired of it even though you've been listening to it for the entire stage over and over again. Really adds to the fun of the game.

To be honest, I hated this game the first couple hours in because it was soul crushingly difficult. However, once you get used to the control and the pace of action, the game starts to get significantly more fun and exciting. Am I just saying this because the Stockholm syndrome is kicking in? Maybe. Did I regret punching my monitor? Maybe. is this game worth a try? Yes.

Aunque ya tiene varios años que salio apenas me dio por jugarlo, los primeros 2 o 3 niveles todo es sencillo y la historia de los tipos con mascara te deja picado, pero a partir del nivel 5 todo es frenético, la cantidad de enemigos, las mascaras y los tipos de armas.

Una vez que termine la historia me fui por lo logros y sacar 3 niveles en A+ me llevo su tiempo pero los disfrute de principio a fin. Muy recomendable.

Action packed, adrenaline pumping game with amazing combat with melee and guns. The game is hard but when you learn how to do quick combos with melee, fists and guns it is so satisfying. Tons of animal masks that change the way you play. Highly recomend. TLDR: If you like hurting other people play it. If you dont also play it.

I just loved this game. The music and playability is spectacular. I even downloaded some song in my spotify.

Great game if you are looking for a light story, but incredible fun.
Overall took me around 8 hours to beat the main story, however you can enjoy it for little bit longer.

Completely recomended

Sountrack, Slaps.
Action, Packed.
Lock and load.
This is great mix of puzzle and shooter with a large serving of violence.

This game is very much worth the price. The mechanics are so well made and the strategy you need to use to beat chapters is just amazing. Made me rage multiple times but it paid off. This is the best 2D thug beater game of all time and the color palette is stunning and the art style is good

Probably on of the best indie games ever made! One of my favorite games, and a great soundtrack if its your vibe. Really wish Dennaton would make something again.

Its a childhood game of mine,i love the idea ,the gameplay not so much,im not a fan of the graphics and similar types of games,but i still like it,It shows its character through Ideas ,story and music ,literally overcoming the need of good graphics ,but a 3d game with good graphics ,or an good graphics game of top down view would kill it twice as much

I think there is something wrong with me. And anyone else to whom this game has provided so much morbid fun

This game has allowed my hatred of people defending vigilantes, and other forms of "self justice" x10. Thank you.

I didn't realize how much I needed a game to completely mock and shove in the face of how stupid it is to defend that kind of idea, even in fiction.

10/10

The soundtrack is unforgettable and the layout for all of the levels was well designed. There should have been more sections with the biker. The AI is kind of wack; sometimes they will hear a gunshot and not respond, while other times they would instantly react and one shot you on the other side of the level. Out of all of the masks Tony is completely broken. Do you like hurting other people?

Steam version crashes constantly. Get the GOG version or the console version.

classic game, great contrast of colours for gore and aestetics

very good game for players what like brutal and old games

it took me 24 hours from start to finish to get all of the achievements

overall very good game

I was really drawn in with the vibe and look of the game. It's very cool to me.

For the record, most of my playtime with this game was spent on my PS Vita, so my experience with the game may not correlate well with my Steam playtime numbers. Hotline Miami was a stellar game for 2012 that got a solid headstart on the Outrun aesthetic that preceded the explosion of MACINTOSH420/vaporwave/a e s t h e t i c, presentation. Hotline Miami implements imposes more severe consequences for ineffectively peeking into a room than its Adobe Flash webgame predecessors like Endless War. 99.99% of all enemies are a one-hit kill, along with yourself. You can also pick up and throw object to either stun or kill enemies, open doors into enemies to stun them, and then perform gory finishers on enemies to make sure they stay down without wasting any ammo. I also appreciate that you can start over levels as quickly you began them. Storywise I prefer Hotline Miami 1 over its sequel, mainly because the lack of proper name and strong identity allow for one to immerse themselves in the character's daily life. Whether that be "painting a house", "pizza delivery", or the one enemy Jacket can't overcome: maintaining small talk with the cashier while buying dinner or a movie for the night. For $10 I'd definitely recommend Hotline Miami 1. Sale or not, this game was lightning in a bottle and it's worth appreciating the cultural context in which it release and how much it amplified the influence that the Outrun aesthetic had on art in the early to mid 2010's.

It's 12yo and it's still so good
Try it out if you can, there is nothing like it in the videogame's market.
The gameplay is great, the story is incredible and the soundtrack is excellent.
Personnaly I think it's a must-play. Its simplistic style is just perfect, yet I don't think it was done before.
So please, give it a try, unless you really hate gore and violence in wich case I suggest you pass on this game.

Quick note : if you play the 2nd game, it's really different in many points, so don't be surprised if it's disappointing for you. It was for me until I understood that HM 2 was meant to be really different from the 1st. They both have their style (in nearly everything) so if you only love one of the two games, you're still welcome in the franchise.

Incredibly fun game.
Unfortunately, I am not very good at it.
The enemies aren't hard, nor are the levels really, most of my deaths are just caused from my constant struggles to pass through normal doors. That's pretty much it. Doorways are the most dangerous element of this game.