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[hitoshi]

Hotline Miami is a high-octane action game overflowing with raw brutality, hard-boiled gunplay and skull crushing close combat. Set in an alternative 1989 Miami, you will assume the role of a mysterious antihero on a murderous rampage against the shady underworld at the behest of voices on your answering machine. Soon you'll find yourself struggling to get a grip of what is going on and why you are prone to these acts of violence.

Rely on your wits to choreograph your way through seemingly impossible situations as you constantly find yourself outnumbered by vicious enemies. The action is unrelenting and every shot is deadly so each move must be quick and decisive if you hope to survive and unveil the sinister forces driving the bloodshed. Hotline Miami's unmistakable visual style, a driving soundtrack, and a surreal chain of events will have you question your own thirst for blood while pushing you to the limits with a brutally unforgiving challenge.

Step into the neon-soaked underground of 1980s Miami as bizarre messages on your answering machine seem to be urging you to commit terrible acts of violence – but will you obey? Hotline Miami overflows with raw brutality and skull crushing close combat as you find yourself outgunned and using your wits to choreograph your way through impossible situations. An unmistakable visual style, a driving soundtrack, and a surreal plot that will have you question your own thirst for blood. Bash and blast through over 20 multiscreen levels with 35 unique weapons and collect 25 game-altering masks in one of the darkest and most unusual independent games on the scene.

Succumb to the your bloodlust in over 20 multiscreen levels filled with the gold chain-draped thugs and the dangerous crime bosses of Miami circa 1989.

Unleash your insanity with 35 unique weapons as you run and gun through a blood-splattered gauntlet letting the adrenaline take over and guide your murderous hand.

Embrace your demons with 25 different masks – each altering your reality and changing gameplay to bring a fresh level of mayhem to each twisted mission.

It's a topdown, 2D action game, with one simple goal: kill everyone. You can use your bear hands, your legs, or various melee weapons, or guns - the choice is yours. Although the level layouts are fixed, the inventory of the enemies are randomized: you just can't know what they'll hold.

It is, because it's AWESOME, thats why. The gameplay is simple, yet very deep: because the random nature of the enemies, and your very small field of view, you can always expect the worse. And you'll die a LOT. The respawn is nearly instant. The graphics are amazing, it looks like somebody took every single psychedelic drug there is in Miami, and then went on a rampage. Also, the soundtrack is one of the best OST ever made.

Killing everyone as fast, as quiet, and as effective, as you can. Every kill you do gives you a score - the amount depends on the weapon used, or how many enemies you have defeated in a row. There is a combo system embedded in the game, with a very good leaderboard, where you can compete with your friends, all with random people from all around the world.

Metacritic -

http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/hotline-miami

Eurogamer - http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-23-hotline-miami-review

So many games are really good at one or two things, or they're full of lots of good ideas that you respect individually, and their qualities arrive in your head with great fanfare, like a county parade trailing down your high street. Hotline Miami isn't like that. It only works as a whole, and it doesn't hit you like a flavour; it builds up in your system like an intravenous solution. If you took away the masks, or the blinking colours, or knocking over guys with doors, or the stuff about answerphone messages, or the DeLorean, or the wobble on the screen, or the super-fast movement, or walking back through what you've just done, you probably wouldn't understand why it stopped working, but it would definitely stop working. Fortunately, it doesn't, and that's why there's only one number to dial.

10/10

Destructoid - http://www.destructoid.com/review-hotline-miami-237249.phtml

In a medium where taking a life means so little, Hotline Miami has a way of making each death feel significant. Each step toward a higher score is one further away from your character's sanity. Picking up the gun comes naturally, and Hotline Miami wants to explore why. The game may tease you, exhaust you, and possibly destroy you with its boss encounters and awful forced stealth level, but it all builds toward a focused, dark vision unlike much else in the medium.
Read more at http://www.destructoid.com/review-hotline-miami-237249.phtml#LMHuxX4PLiK7JHOV.99

7/10

Rock Paper Shotgun - http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/10/23/hotline-miami-review/

You could argue that it’s nasty. It is. This is a murder simulator, and it is not pretending not to be. Though you do only ever fight other murderers. Not that that’s any excuse. HLM is indefensible. That’s rather the point.

You could argue that Hotline Miami is brilliant, vital, a tactical and aesthetic masterpiece as well as a pixel-art odyssey of ice-cold violence. It is.

Indie Game Mag - http://www.indiegamemag.com/hotline-miami-review/#.UIbC5sUxp8F

The game feels rough in just the right way. This isn’t a highly polished product. This is the work of two very creative people with a terrifying vision of urban violence, 1980s style. While held back from being a classic by a smattering of issues in both design and narrative, the core moment-to-moment combat is compelling, and simultaneously satisfying and sickening. At $10, it’s not hard to recommend this one. Just don’t expect to be able to look at yourself in the mirror quite the same way once you’re done.

8.99$ / 8,49€

Steam - http://store.steampowered.com/app/219150/
GOG - http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/hotline_miami
Get Games - http://getgamesgo.com/product/hotline-miami
GamersGate - http://www.gamersgate.com/DD-HOTLINE/hotline-miami
Amazon - http://amzn.com/B009GKT2Y0
Impulse - http://www.impulsedriven.com/products/ESD-IMP-W3822

The whole soundtrack is included with the game in .ogg format. Look for it in your steamapps/hotline miami folder if you are using the Steam version.

Official OST - http://soundcloud.com/devolverdigital/sets/hotline-miami-official

MOON EP - http://music.musicofthemoon.com/album/moon-ep

The game was made by Jonatan Söderström and Dennis Wedin. They are insane, Swedish people - their previous game is Keyboard Drumset Fucking Werewolf, which can be downloaded for free. Also, it's soundtrack is INSANELY GOOD AS WELL, BUY IT NOW!

Game - http://cactusquid.blogspot.hu/2011/10/keyboard-drumset-fucking-werewolf.html

Soundtrack - http://fwamusic.bandcamp.com/

 

[Dog Problems]

I was just sitting here thinking about making one. Glad someone else got to it.

 

[Templar Wizard]

but when can we actually buy and play DAWG

 

[DEAD RABBIT]

After watching this preview, I can't wait to play this game.

The music is great. You can get some tracks here. Not sure if it's the whole soundtrack.

 

[hitoshi]

but when can we actually buy and play DAWG

Around 18:00 GMT, so says Steam. Review codes were sent out in the morning.

 

[Dachande]

Looking forward to getting this on Friday when I've been paid...

 

[Bad7667]

Cant wait for it to be released on Steam. After reading the RPS preview I have been waiting to play it. Hope its good.

 

[kaleii]

Mmm, preordered it earlier today. Can't wait.

And I'm loving the music as well.

 

[IronRinn]

"Preordered" this a few minutes ago, after forgetting to for weeks. Based on what I've seen of Jonatan Söderström's earlier games and the ads for this one, I'm hoping for an interesting story on top of the bat-shit crazy ultra-violence.

 

[SparkTR]

Here's a review, sounds like my sorta game.

 

[charsace]

GOTY contender along with Starbound(if it gets released this year).

 

[Jubbly]

10/10 from Eurogamer: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-23-hotline-miami-review !!

Sigh, why did Steam have to fuck everything up today of all days? Hotline and Elemental are both "released" but not actually downloadable.

 

[MDSLKTR]

THAT FUCKING SOUNDTRACK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtz5YMmB2Kc

 

[Katzii]

I'll take it that the "fuck up" is the reason that GetGoGames hasn't emailed me my code?

 

[Milchmann]

You should find your key under "Your Account" -> "Purchase Details".

 

[Jubbly]

I'll take it that the "fuck up" is the reason that GetGoGames hasn't emailed me my code?

They didn't email me either, so I went to my account page and the key was listed there.

 

[geestack]

Is this available on GOG? It just says "Soon" on the release date, and you can pre-order it, but I'd like to play this as soon as possible, wherever it's available.

 

[Katzii]

They didn't email me either, so I went to my account page and the key was listed there.

Oh, excellent - cheers for the heads-up!

 

[Voshond]

Launch trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgXM7ivgYTo&feature=youtu.be&hd=1

Really reminds me of Drive.

 

[microtubule]

Just unlocked for me on Steam and downloading now! Shame the EXPOsed level for those who preordered from getgogames isn't ready yet.

 

[Nopren]

So I got it downloaded and started it up. Managed to navigate into options and set 360 controller to on. Now the only input it will accept is up and down on my controller, no keyboard no nothing. I've tried to delete it and install it again but it just starts me up at the title screen with the same problem. What the hell is going on?

 

[microtubule]

Controller issue post on Hotline's twitter


and it was mentioned to e-mail support@devolverdigital.com with any bugs found

 

[Katzii]

Thanks - I was just coming to ask about that. The only button that worked was the "Back" button!

Installing the Driver now.

 

[Visualante2]

Seriously needs a demo imo. Just so you can get a feel for the gameplay. To me seems like I'll either love it and play it for weeks or just get sick of it after a few hours.

 

[Nopren]

Seems they are working on a fix

Br33dlove on steam: Hi folks, Dennaton is working on this now. Please stay tuned and sorry for the issues!

And I have the wireless receiver for the 360-pad with the newest driver.

 

[charsace]

Was this made with xna?

 

[Katzii]

Seems they are working on a fix

And I have the wireless receiver for the 360-pad with the newest driver.

Hopefully it will get done soon. I installed the latest drivers and still have the same problem.

Also not quite sure why GetGamesGo haven't gotten their exclusive level ready yet, but oh well.

 

[Raptomex]

Anyone actually play it yet?

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Was this made with xna?

Don't think so, it just tried to install a visual c redist but no xna.

 

[Raptomex]

So the levels are randomized? I like that. Makes for replayability.

 

[Def Jukie]

Waiting to hear some impressions from you guys before I bite on this one. Looks really cool, hopefully it plays well.

 

[Nopren]

Hopefully it will get done soon. I installed the latest drivers and still have the same problem.

Also not quite sure why GetGamesGo haven't gotten their exclusive level ready yet, but oh well.

If you uninstall it and delete the Hotline Miami folder in steam\steamapps\common, then reinstall it, you can at least play it with mouse and keyboard. Still can't get it in fullscreen though, it has the usual black borders nonsense.

Aaaand the game is apparently not running at full speed either because of some unknown problem. I think I'm just gonna wait until they've patched all these kinks out before I play it.

 

[ScOULaris]

Hell yeah. I have been hyped for this game's release for a while. I'll be downloadin' it after work today for sure.

Time to do some wet work.

 

[GrayFoxPL]

Reminds me of Into an Eagle's Nest on C64 on crack. I love the look of it.

 

[hitoshi]

So the levels are randomized? I like that. Makes for replayability.

No they are not, only the equipment of the enemy. By the way, the whole soundtrack is included with the game in .ogg format. Look for it in your steamapps/hotline miami folder if you are using the Steam version.

 

[zkylon]

This game makes me sick to my stomach, it riles up my morbid curiosity and I can't wait to play/not play it. Weird.

 

[PixelHorror]

Was this made with xna?

Gamemaker I think.

 

[Katzii]

If you uninstall it and delete the Hotline Miami folder in steam\steamapps\common, then reinstall it, you can at least play it with mouse and keyboard. Still can't get it in fullscreen though, it has the usual black borders nonsense.

Aaaand the game is apparently not running at full speed either because of some unknown problem. I think I'm just gonna wait until they've patched all these kinks out before I play it.

Thanks for the heads-up; unfortunately, I don't have a mouse (on a laptop) and I recall the mouse/keys control scheme needing a scroll wheel.

I'll join the waiting party.

Also, am I the only person who when they start the game, gets the same error come up about 15 times before it will load up?

 

[MiamiWesker]

WTF is this!? I need to get this, lol.

 

[microtubule]

Just tweeted:

Dennaton Games will be updating Hotline Miami within the hour to address the Visual Studio and controller issues. Sorry for the problems!

 

[Dog Problems]

So no controllers work or is it just wireless ones?

 

[r3n4ud]

So no controllers work or is it just wireless ones?

My wired xbox controller doesn't work :/

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Mouse and keyboard controls are really tight. Gameplay is very fast and levels are designed to be replayable since from very near the start I started to fail a lot.

Reminds me of Into an Eagle's Nest on C64 on crack. I love the look of it.

Made me think of Dreamweb.

 

[Dog Problems]

My wired xbox controller doesn't work :/

Crap. Well hopefully a fix is out today.

 

[vocab]

Just started playing it. The game is pretty bizarre in terms of presentation. The music is pretty damn good. I like it.

 

[Dr Stabbingworth]

Looks like it's 8.99 on Amazon and GoG but $9.99 on Steam and the others.

 

[thetrin]

I find this game strangely disturbing. Not the game itself, but the art, and the commercial.

Not in a bad way, mind you. It's obvious that the game is meant to elicit those emotions. I do want to play it, but I'm actually surprised that it makes me kind of sick to my stomach.

 

[Alexios]

The game is pretty sweet so far, I've played the first few levels, it can be hard too, the enemies don't kid around once they're aware of you (outside standing around looking for you if you retreat/hide that is) and basically move the way you do.

I think Suda51 should play this, for whatever reason it reminded me of No More Heroes since the first media in some ways.

Game controllers are probably bugged at the moment. You can enable the 360 pad in the options but only the << button works as "back/exit" and the left analog stick, I couldn't confirm a choice to actually start the game or anything.

Still, it seems to be more suited to WASD + Mouse like various arena shooters are anyway. It controls like one.

I also have a small issue with installation on Steam, the game works but every start up it tries to install like it's the first start up because I already have a newer distributable of whatever (the Visual Studio thingie I think) so it errors out instead of complete.

Overall it's trippy. It's not disturbing or anything yet, but it may become so later on, once things get clearer (or less clear).

 

[Alexios]

RockPaperShotgun review.

Hitman without the puzzles (though there are disguises, of a sort &#8211; more on that later). Thief where everyone must die. Syndicate off its head on amphetamines. HOTLINE MIAMI.

It&#8217;s not as amazing as you&#8217;ve heard.
Of course it&#8217;s as amazing as you&#8217;ve heard.

You could argue that Hotline Miami is brilliant, vital, a tactical and aesthetic masterpiece as well as a pixel-art odyssey of ice-cold violence. It is.

Etc. Other than bugs and the short length (the latter countered by replayability, the former hopefully by patches) there are barely any mentions of negative aspects. Oh, yeah, it mentions poor AI as well. Imo that's kind of like saying the graphics are poor. They both work for the game(play). It does say that it probably doesn't matter since you'll still get killed countless times.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Just been twiddling my thumbs, waiting for the game to go live on GOG.com. Anyway, I'm pretty sure my night's going to involve a lot of drinking and a lot of this game.