Arrive. Raise hell. Leave.
The game's controls are great, but not perfect. Aiming with the right analog stick will take some getting used to, and if you're off even by a slight degree, you could wind up on the receiving end of a vicious blow. Practice makes perfect, and soon you'll indulge in multi-kill combos, which will boost your score tremendously. The higher the score, the better you'll fare on the leaderboards.
As challenging as Hotline Miami is, it's indulgent, blood-spilling fun. And Dennaton Games made it even more so with a fantastic old-school presentation. The top-down visuals are inspired by classic 8 and 16-bit games (like True Lies), and the blood effects are humorous, in a sickeningly good way. The music is equally good, with lots of tunes that are a blast to listen to. Kudos must also go out to the sound effects team – they really deliver on their front, too.
Hotline Miami has replay value galore – gunning for a better score on stages, unlocking new masks – but it really depends on how much of the game's violence you can stomach. Fortunately, it's not to Manhunt-like levels, and the graphics and sound really go a long way into welcoming you to something awesome. This game is a worthwhile investment for $15, especially if you loved the PC version.
Now go get it. We'll see you in the Hotline Miami club. We'll be the ones wearing rooster masks.
Score: 9 / 10
