Hotline Miami

Hotline Miami game image

Overwhelmingly Positive

Total: 36 ThousandPositive: 34.9 ThousandNegative: 1.13 Thousand
97%
3%
Steam review score: 9

Sorry!

This game is not fully supported yet!

AI Review

Hotline Miami is a high-octane action game that plunges players into a brutal, neon-soaked alternative 1989 Miami. With its fast-paced gameplay, hard-boiled gunplay, and skull-crushing close combat, this indie gem has earned an impressive AI Community Rating of 89.61%. Players assume the role of a mysterious antihero, driven by cryptic messages to unleash chaos on the criminal underworld. The game’s unmistakable visual style, paired with a driving synthwave soundtrack, creates an immersive and surreal experience. However, the challenge is unforgiving—players must rely on quick reflexes and strategic thinking to survive. Community feedback highlights the game’s strengths, praising its soundtrack, satisfying gameplay, and unique aesthetic. Yet, some players find the difficulty frustrating, citing clunky controls and unfair AI behavior. Despite these critiques, Hotline Miami remains a standout title for fans of action-packed, adrenaline-fueled indie games. If you’re drawn to intense, fast-paced action and a retro vibe, this game is a must-play.

What the community wishes

Improve cut-scene pacing
Cut-scenes feel slow and disrupt the fast-paced gameplay. Consider speeding them up or allowing players to skip them to maintain the game's momentum.
Fix frequent crashes and bugs
The game crashes often, especially during level transitions or after completing levels. This forces players to replay levels multiple times. Address stability issues to improve the overall experience.
Clarify story for first-time players
The story is confusing and not well-explained in-game. Adding more context or a recap feature could help players understand the narrative better without relying on external sources.
Improve HUD and ammo visibility
The HUD is poorly placed, making it hard to check ammo or other critical information. Consider redesigning the HUD for better visibility and accessibility during gameplay.
AI behavior feels unfair
Enemies have 360-degree awareness and can kill players instantly, which feels unbalanced. Adjust AI behavior to make encounters feel more fair and less frustrating.
Add flamingo mask for aesthetic
The game lacks a flamingo mask, which feels like a missed opportunity given the Miami theme. Adding this mask could enhance the game's aesthetic appeal.
Optimize controls for smoother gameplay
Controls feel clunky and unintuitive, especially during fast-paced combat. Refine the control scheme to make movements and actions more responsive.
Add more variety to enemy types
The game has limited enemy types, which can make gameplay repetitive. Introducing more enemy varieties could add depth and challenge to the levels.
Include a tutorial for new players
The game lacks a proper tutorial, making it hard for new players to understand mechanics. Adding a tutorial could improve the onboarding experience.
Expand on story with more content
The story is intriguing but feels incomplete. Adding more lore or expanding the narrative through additional content could enhance the game's depth.
Add difficulty settings for accessibility
The game is very challenging, which may deter some players. Introducing difficulty settings could make the game more accessible to a wider audience.
Improve weapon balance and variety
Some weapons feel overpowered while others are underutilized. Balancing weapons and adding more variety could improve gameplay diversity.
Add more collectibles for replayability
The game has limited collectibles, which reduces replay value. Adding more collectibles or hidden items could encourage players to revisit levels.
Include a level editor for creativity
A level editor could allow players to create and share custom levels, increasing the game's longevity and community engagement.
Add more music tracks for variety
While the soundtrack is praised, more tracks could prevent repetition. Adding additional music could enhance the game's atmosphere.
Improve save system for progress
The lack of a proper save system forces players to replay levels after crashes. Implementing checkpoints or autosaves could reduce frustration.
Add more visual customization options
The art style is divisive, and some players find it unappealing. Adding visual customization options could cater to different player preferences.
Include a co-op mode for multiplayer
A co-op mode could add a new dimension to gameplay, allowing players to experience the game together and increasing its appeal.
Add more lore through in-game collectibles
The lore is intriguing but sparse. Adding more in-game collectibles or documents could provide deeper insights into the story.
Improve enemy spawn mechanics
Enemies sometimes spawn in unfair locations, leading to instant deaths. Adjusting spawn mechanics could make the game feel more balanced.

Reviews

Toxicity trend

N-Grams

neon-drenched ballet bloodshedlearn from mistakesoverwhelming positive gameperfect price pointtimeless game artstyleheart-pounding '80s soundtrackcryptic fragmented narrativemental philosophical nightmarefast paced gamefast paced top-downpure violence beautywell written storyhigh score satisfyingrelentless stylish massacreludonarrative masterpiece gamehesitation is defeatcult classic gamestylish kills feelstight gameplay looppure art game

Keywords

What the community loves
soundtrack
12
music
11
fun
11
fast-paced
7
recommend
7
gameplay
7
satisfying
6
story
6
love
5
unique
4
rewarding
3
amazing
3
addictive
3
mechanics
3
Good
3
Where the community is undecided
enemies
5
violence
5
story
4
difficult
4
gameplay
4
Average
3
boss
3
fast-paced
3
Adults
3
brutal
3
mechanics
2
shooter
2
unforgiving
2
short
2
weapons
2
What the community dislikes
frustrating
9
hard
4
annoying
3
clunky
3
unfair
2
story
2
inconsistent
2
die
2
hitboxes
2
rage
2
settings
2
controls
2
freezing
2
recommend
2
tedious
2

In-depth analysis of most impactful community reviews

Positive

I don't know who I am. I don't know why I'm here. All I know is that I must kill. This meme fits the game perfectly. I don't understand what the story is talking about even after two runs, but it doesn't stop me from enjoying the beauty of pure violence. This fast paced game is straight to the point, to kill or to be killed, hesitation is defeat. Achievements requires some effort but not really that difficult. Chapter 5 is your best friend for collection related achievements. Don Juan + wall kill will help you to get A+ rating in most of the levels. Overall very recommended and it deserves to be an overwhelming positive game.

  • Sentiments

    • I feel that the game perfectly captures the essence of pure violence and fast-paced action, which I thoroughly enjoy despite not fully understanding the story.
    • I find the game's straightforward nature of 'kill or be killed' to be highly engaging and satisfying, as hesitation leads to defeat.
    • I appreciate that the achievements require some effort but are not overly difficult, making them accessible yet rewarding.
    • I believe Chapter 5 is particularly helpful for completing collection-related achievements, which adds to the game's replay value.
    • I find the combination of Don Juan and wall kills to be an effective strategy for achieving A+ ratings in most levels, which enhances my enjoyment.
    • I feel that the game's story is confusing even after multiple playthroughs, but this does not detract from my overall enjoyment.
    • I highly recommend the game and believe it deserves its overwhelmingly positive reception due to its engaging gameplay and design.

Positive

The game grabs you by the throat and throws you into a pixelated bloodbath. Fueled by a heart-pounding '80s soundtrack, this game doesn’t let up. It’s fast, brutal, and unforgiving—where you’ll die often, hit ‘R’ to respawn, and throw yourself right back into the chaos. With its VHS-era aesthetics and random enemy behavior, each level becomes a savage puzzle. The pixelated carnage? A relentless, stylish massacre that leaves your nerves frayed and your fingers itching for more.

  • Sentiments

    • I feel that the game is incredibly intense and immersive, grabbing my attention immediately with its fast-paced and brutal gameplay.
    • I appreciate the heart-pounding '80s soundtrack, which adds to the game's energetic and thrilling atmosphere.
    • I find the game to be unforgiving, with frequent deaths and respawns, which can be frustrating but also adds to the challenge.
    • I enjoy the VHS-era aesthetics, which give the game a unique and stylish visual appeal.
    • I feel that the random enemy behavior makes each level feel like a savage puzzle, adding depth and unpredictability to the gameplay.
    • I experience the pixelated carnage as a relentless and stylish massacre, which keeps me on edge and engaged.
    • I notice that the game leaves my nerves frayed, which might be overwhelming for some players but adds to the intensity.
    • I feel that the game's difficulty and chaos make it addictive, with my fingers itching for more after each session.

Positive

Hotline Miami is a cult classic fast paced arcade style game where you kill. There is so much violence and gore I love it. You have to plan out your course of action and one mistake can be your downfall. It is so satisfying to get a high score for each level, although this game made me MAD MAD. I can finally live out my sadistic self in this game. I highly recommend this game to anyone who wants to have some great action gameplay!

  • Sentiments

    • I love the fast-paced arcade style of Hotline Miami, which makes the gameplay exciting and engaging.
    • The violence and gore in the game are highly satisfying and add to the overall enjoyment.
    • Planning out my course of action in the game is challenging but rewarding, as it requires strategic thinking.
    • Making a single mistake in the game can lead to failure, which adds a layer of tension and difficulty.
    • Achieving a high score in each level is incredibly satisfying and motivates me to keep playing.
    • The game made me extremely frustrated at times, to the point of being MAD MAD, which was a negative experience.
    • I appreciate the opportunity to live out my sadistic tendencies in a safe and controlled environment through the game.
    • I highly recommend Hotline Miami to anyone looking for great action gameplay, as it delivers on that front.

Positive

- DIFFICULTY - 🔲 My 90 year old grandma could play it 🔲 Easy 🔲 Normal ☑️ Hard 🔲 "Dark Souls" - GRAPHICS - 🔲 "MS Paint" 🔲 Bad 🔲 Meh ☑️ Graphics don't matter in this game 🔲 Good 🔲 Beautiful 🔲 Masterpiece - MUSIC - 🔲 Bad 🔲 Not special 🔲 Good ☑️ Beautiful - STORY - 🔲 This game has no story 🔲 Like playing "Temple Runners" for the story 🔲 It's there for the people who want it ☑️ Well written 🔲 Epic story - PRICE - 🔲 Underpriced ☑️ Perfect price 🔲 Could be cheaper 🔲 Overpriced 🔲 Complete waste of money - REQUIREMENTS - ☑️ You can run it on a microwave 🔲 Average 🔲 High end 🔲 "NASA" computer - LENGTH - 🔲 Very short (0 - 3 hours) ☑️ Short (3 - 15 hours) 🔲 Average (15 - 50 hours) 🔲 Long (50 - 90 hours) 🔲 Extremely long (90 - 110 hours) 🔲 No ending - FUN - 🔲 I'd rather watch paint dry 🔲 Hard to enjoy 🔲 Repetitive ☑️ Actually pretty amusing 🔲 Ride of your life - REPLAYABILITY - 🔲 It's a one - time experience 🔲 Only for achievements 🔲 If you wait a few months / years ☑️ Definitely 🔲 Infinitely replayable - WORTH BUYING - 🔲 No 🔲 Wait for sale ☑️ Yes

  • Sentiments

    • I find the game to be hard, which adds a challenging and engaging aspect to the gameplay.
    • The graphics don't matter in this game, which suggests that the focus is more on gameplay and other elements rather than visual appeal.
    • The music is beautiful, enhancing the overall experience and immersion in the game.
    • The story is well written, providing a compelling narrative that adds depth to the game.
    • The price is perfect, indicating that the game offers good value for the cost.
    • The game has low requirements, making it accessible to a wide range of players, even those with less powerful hardware.
    • The game is short, which might be a drawback for players looking for a longer experience, but it also means it's concise and to the point.
    • The game is actually pretty amusing, suggesting that it provides a good amount of fun and entertainment.
    • The game has high replayability, meaning players can enjoy it multiple times without it getting stale.
    • The game is worth buying, indicating that it offers a good overall experience and value for money.

Positive

This game is difficult to review, because it's a ludonarrative masterpiece. It's not a game, as much as it is a small shard of a completely different reality. The mechanics, soundtrack, art, and narrative all combine to create an experience that's great than the sum of its parts. Mechanically, it's a fast paced, top down shooter with a tight gameplay loop. You can see every mistake you make, and rectify it without a loading screen. Narratively, it hits the sweet spot: enough so you know what's going on and come away with a different perspective, but not so much that you feel preached to. Artistically, every single asset in this game comes together to create a world you can lose yourself in. It's a masterpiece that uses a simple gameplay loop to tell a story that's worth hearing, and worth repeating.

  • Sentiments

    • I feel that this game is a ludonarrative masterpiece, blending mechanics, soundtrack, art, and narrative into an experience greater than the sum of its parts.
    • I believe the game creates a small shard of a completely different reality, making it feel more than just a game.
    • I find the mechanics to be fast-paced and engaging, with a top-down shooter style that allows for quick error correction without loading screens.
    • I appreciate the narrative for striking a perfect balance, providing enough context to understand and reflect without feeling preachy.
    • I am impressed by the artistic design, where every asset comes together to create an immersive world.
    • I consider the game a masterpiece that uses a simple gameplay loop to tell a story worth hearing and repeating.
    • I feel the game's mechanics are tight and well-designed, enhancing the overall experience.
    • I think the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's immersive quality.
    • I find the game's world-building to be exceptional, allowing players to lose themselves in it.
    • I believe the game's narrative offers a unique perspective that stays with the player.

Negative

To be honest, this isn't really my kind of game. I was only drawn to play this one because of the hype. If you're into top-down, fast-paced, almost rhythmically frantic violence with very little room for player error, this game will probably be your holy grail. That's just not the kind of games I seek out these days. Which is okay! Well-designed, dripping with flavor, but just not for me.

  • Sentiments

    • I was drawn to play this game because of the hype surrounding it, even though it's not typically my kind of game.
    • The game is well-designed and dripping with flavor, which I appreciate even though it's not for me.
    • This game is not the kind of game I seek out these days, as it doesn't align with my preferences.
    • If you enjoy top-down, fast-paced, and rhythmically frantic violence with little room for error, this game might be your holy grail.
    • The game requires very little room for player error, which is not something I personally enjoy in games.
    • I acknowledge that the game is well-crafted, but it just doesn't resonate with my current gaming preferences.

Negative

incredibly fun concept but it feels like they planned out these controls to be as confusing and clunky as possible. the hud sucks ass, the last thing i want to do is check the bottom left on my screen to see how much ammo i have left. 90% of this thing feels like a game of wheres waldo with my crosshair. all the ai is all knowing and with 360 no scope you at any given time. and the art style is so fucking ugly. like jesus christ fire every artist at the studio.

  • Sentiments

    • I find the concept of the game incredibly fun and engaging, which is a strong positive aspect.
    • I feel the controls are confusing and clunky, making the gameplay frustrating and unintuitive.
    • I dislike the HUD design, especially having to check the bottom left of the screen for ammo, which feels inconvenient.
    • I find the crosshair placement frustrating, as it feels like a constant game of 'Where's Waldo' to locate it.
    • I feel the AI is overly powerful and unrealistic, with enemies seemingly able to '360 no scope' at any time.
    • I strongly dislike the art style, finding it unattractive and poorly executed, to the point where I think the artists should be replaced.

Negative

I love the game, I love the music, i love game mechanics. BUT HOLY **** does this game crash and bug out. First of all the so called "updated" version straight up just doesn't launch for me and the original version just crashes, crashes, crahse or bugs out - at the end of levels too with no way of saving your progress so you have to re-do the leve every single time. I'm currently on chapter 8 and the level either bugs out when the character just gets stuck during a transition on stairs or the game just crashes when I complete the game and get in the car. Completed this chapter like 10 times at this point in hopes that THIS time it will surely work. Tried different launching options that the game gives you - windowed, v-sync, different resolutions, tried running as administrator, tried different compatibility options with previous Windows' - nothing works. So this is where the game will end for me i guess. What shame.

  • Sentiments

    • I love the game, including its music and game mechanics, which are highly enjoyable and engaging.
    • I am extremely frustrated with the game's frequent crashes and bugs, which make it nearly unplayable.
    • The updated version of the game does not launch at all, which is incredibly disappointing and inconvenient.
    • The original version of the game crashes repeatedly, especially at the end of levels, causing me to lose progress and forcing me to redo levels multiple times.
    • I am stuck on chapter 8 due to a bug where the character gets stuck during a transition on stairs, which is incredibly frustrating and breaks immersion.
    • The game crashes when I complete a level and get into a car, which has happened multiple times, making it impossible to progress further.
    • I have tried various troubleshooting methods, such as changing launch options, running as administrator, and adjusting compatibility settings, but none have resolved the issues.
    • Despite my love for the game, the persistent technical issues have led me to stop playing, which feels like a waste of potential and enjoyment.
    • The inability to save progress after completing levels is a major flaw that significantly impacts the overall experience.
    • It is a shame that such a promising game is ruined by technical problems, leaving me with no choice but to abandon it.

Negative

The only reason to buy this garbage fire of the game is for the soundtrack which I have listened to for over 10 years at this point. The "game" however is extremely repetitive with the usual cheap tricks a game made by developers that hate the gamer implement, you need an x item for a certain room you don't have it you have softlocked the game/ boss fights where you have 1 frame to do something and will die 100s of times even after you had to watch youtube videos, that last boss fight in the game is downright one of the most vile and degenerate one's ive seen in a game, outright took me 10 years of rage before I finally got past that trash.

  • Sentiments

    • I find the soundtrack of the game to be exceptional, as I have listened to it for over 10 years, which is a strong positive aspect of the game.
    • I consider the game itself to be extremely repetitive, which makes the gameplay feel monotonous and unengaging.
    • I feel the developers implemented cheap tricks that seem designed to frustrate the player, which creates a negative experience.
    • I experienced softlocking in the game due to missing required items, which felt unfair and poorly designed.
    • I found the boss fights to be overly difficult, with mechanics that require precise timing, leading to hundreds of deaths and frustration.
    • I had to rely on YouTube videos to progress through certain parts of the game, which felt like a failure in game design.
    • I consider the last boss fight to be one of the most vile and degenerate boss fights I have ever encountered in a game.
    • I endured 10 years of rage and frustration before finally overcoming the last boss fight, which highlights how poorly designed it was.
    • I feel the game overall is a garbage fire, with its only redeeming quality being the soundtrack.

Negative

the game broke absolutely all microsoft c++ libraries, because of which all other games became laggy upd: because of ur ****ing game, I had to reinstall windows with a lot of software, spending a day on it. burn in hell, crooks.

  • Sentiments

    • I am extremely frustrated because the game caused all Microsoft C++ libraries to break, making all other games laggy.
    • I had to reinstall Windows and a lot of software, which took an entire day, because of this game.
    • I feel angry and betrayed, as the game caused significant technical issues that disrupted my system.
    • I am furious with the developers, calling them crooks and wishing them to 'burn in hell' for the inconvenience caused.
    • The game's impact on my system was so severe that it required a complete reinstallation of the operating system.

© 2024