While the game certainly plays out as a
typical top-down shooter, the map layouts and overwhelming odds means
there are some puzzle-like attributes as well, as you formulate and
execute your strategy for each chapter. The game features fifteen
multi-story buildings you must clear of all enemy units, each with
predictable (or semi-random) AI patterns and doors you can use to
ambush the enemy. There is an odd story that is described between
missions. Hotline Miami does not save your progress during a mission
if you exit the game, which is really disappointing since it is quite
difficult. Enemies spawn with a variety of weapons (knifes, pipes,
bats, pistols, shotguns, rifles, bottles, swords, and more), and all
of these can be thrown as part of your tactics. Since each non-melee
weapon has limited ammunition, you’ll be switching items often.
Melee kills do not warn nearby enemies of your nefarious deeds (the
bloody, dead bodies aren’t enough of a giveaway, apparently), so
usually you’ll go for silent kills until you can funnel the
remaining opponents through a narrow doorway. Before each mission,
you can choose a mask (additional masks are unlocked throughout the
game) that grants a subtle bonus, like faster movement speed or
lethal doors. The controls use the WASD keys to move and mouse to
aim, a fine combination that would have been better with the
inclusion of mouse sensitivity settings. The retro graphics are
memorable and the gore adds a level of disturbing brutality. The
soundtrack is very well done and marries well with the neon hues and
fast pace of the game. Hotline Miami has very high difficulty since
everyone is a one-shot kill (including yourself) and you are usually
outnumbered fifteen-to-one. Still, the game doesn’t feel unfair, as
there is always some way to dispose of the enemies, and the level
design makes more than one plan plausible. However, the boss battles
are tedious and out of place, slowing the pace of the game
considerably. Overall, Hotline Miami is a great mix of top-down
shooting and careful planning, though its high difficulty may
discourage some.