Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

 PC
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 808 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 551 out of 808
  2. Mixed: 168 out of 808
  3. Negative: 89 out of 808

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  1. Fabokitas
    Aug 5, 2015
    9
    This game isn´t just a fun game. It reminds me of the some videogames back in the day, when they were difficult, and you had to struggle and actually THINK to succeed.
  2. Kingdemise
    Jul 12, 2015
    4
    The first game is still one of my most favorite game of all time, Hotline Miami is clearly in my top five of the games I most enjoyed in my life. But this sequel is boring, no offense to the creators but you really screwed it up. I do not even think a sequel was needed, the one was a masterpiece and a clearly beloved game. So why did the creators of the game felt like it was necessary toThe first game is still one of my most favorite game of all time, Hotline Miami is clearly in my top five of the games I most enjoyed in my life. But this sequel is boring, no offense to the creators but you really screwed it up. I do not even think a sequel was needed, the one was a masterpiece and a clearly beloved game. So why did the creators of the game felt like it was necessary to take the risk of a sequel in the first place ?

    The soundtrack and the art direction are still very good, but everything else is dull and boring. The level design make you lure your ennemies most of the time into you, you can't rush and rely on your reflex/instinct to clear out levels like in the first one. This time, you'll have to find good spot on the map and play very carefully if you do not want an off-screen ennemy to kill you. Believe me, there is a lot of Off-screen enemies in the game. Plus, this time the game make you play the way the creators want you to play. You almost can not choose masks, you have to play with characters and their stupid abilities. The roll is useless, the "twin brothers" are random and the bear's ability clearly make him more vulnerable. There is some nice idea, like the reporter who can not harm people or the fact that tony mask can not pick weapon (tony's mask was clearly broken in the first game) but everything else feel really forced.

    Plus, you have no good new weapons to use. Knives are still the most useful melee weapon and they thought a Sniper could be a good idea. It is not, you can not aim past ten meters with it thanks to the core mechanics of the game. Seriousely...

    I did not had enough with the first game, I spent almost 80 hours into it. But this time, the game was so boring that I felt that it was too long, it was like the game never ended. The game IS longer than the first one, but you will felt like it is way longer than it should have been. Plus, there's a lot of dialogue and the story is really unintersting. At least, the one did not make you focus on the story, but this one heavliy insist on it and it is really bad.

    Really, stick out with the first one. Do not touch the sequel, it is not worth it at all.    … Expand
  3. azgoodaz
    Jun 13, 2015
    10
    If you played the first Hotline Miami, then this is a no brainier. Just like the first one, this has to be one of the most addictive games that is under $20 dollars. If you get hit or get shot at, you will die. Once dead you have restart the level or checkpoint and its really stressful if you do. And thats what I truly like about this game. Even though its a great game, I'm sadly not oneIf you played the first Hotline Miami, then this is a no brainier. Just like the first one, this has to be one of the most addictive games that is under $20 dollars. If you get hit or get shot at, you will die. Once dead you have restart the level or checkpoint and its really stressful if you do. And thats what I truly like about this game. Even though its a great game, I'm sadly not one of those gamers that can read non-speakable text boxes so I normally skip all of that.

    If you liked Hotline Miami and wanted a longer storyline, more death, more killing, more blood and more weapons. You wont regret Hotline Miami 2. It might be a cheap game but its highly addictive and you wont stop playing it.    … Expand
  4. ToxicHumor
    May 7, 2015
    8
    I am going to be honest. This game is not the first Hotline Miami. In many ways it does not try to be, the lack of a single protagonist stands out as the most obvious and affects game play significantly.
    I loved the original so much and that love creeps into my assessment of the sequel as well. It is not as good plain and simple I think you could argue 6-8 is honestly a fair review, 0 is    I am going to be honest. This game is not the first Hotline Miami. In many ways it does not try to be, the lack of a single protagonist stands out as the most obvious and affects game play significantly.
    I loved the original so much and that love creeps into my assessment of the sequel as well. It is not as good plain and simple I think you could argue 6-8 is honestly a fair review, 0 is not however the game still has wonderful visuals, music, and gun play, by giving a game a review of a zero I can only hope that you are doing it in an attempt to lower the average user score and are not implying that they somehow managed to not accomplish or even half accomplish one thing.    … Expand
  5. Number213
    May 4, 2015
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Instead of polishing the original game's hand-to-hand combat, HM2 became more gun-oriented.
    Instead of making the game harder, HM2 became more unfair to player.
    Instead of focusing on one character and developing him, HM2 introduces 7+ characters and kills them off quicker than you can start to sympathize with any of them.
    Instead of sandbox-like ability to play any level with any mask, HM2 forces player to play a specific level with specific character.
    Instead of fixing previous game's bugs, HM2 contains new ones.
    Instead of being a great sequel, HM2 is an utter disappointment.    … Expand
  6. Marick
    May 3, 2015
    7
    In my opinion, the continuation of Hotline Miami, is not it interesting that the first feld. He manages to take some new elements to the game, but first one is a better story, a better level design. What I really like in this game is the soundtrack.
  7. Boggybean
    Apr 28, 2015
    8
    Completed this game in about 11 hours, and oh my god I loved it the whole way through.

    Level design has apparently been a major issue for people, and with a heavy heart, I agree. It's simply too open in some areas, as opposed to the first game where you felt amazing when you charged in and racked up huge combos by beating in heads and gunning down mobsters. This game simply feels like a    Completed this game in about 11 hours, and oh my god I loved it the whole way through.

    Level design has apparently been a major issue for people, and with a heavy heart, I agree. It's simply too open in some areas, as opposed to the first game where you felt amazing when you charged in and racked up huge combos by beating in heads and gunning down mobsters. This game simply feels like a cover shooter at times, especially with certain Hawaii missions (that damn power plant), with people shooting you through windows off-screen, so you're forced to move sparsely and poke your head out of cover. I personally feel it's all in context, however. Many levels are still taking place indoors in small places, like clubs, apartments, drug hideouts. But many of the larger levels are office buildings and skyrises, or huge power plants, which seemed to infuriate players.

    So many good things. The soundtrack is spot-on, if not better, with over 50 songs featured throughout. Every level has a different song. Every level. The gameplay, aside from some shoddy level design, is also brilliant. In the original, you had one character with different masks (and Biker I guess). This game has a huge array of characters and playstyles that are completely fresh and new. For example, Corey lets you dodge and roll through areas to avoid gunfire and look like a badass, while Mark lets you dual-wield submachine guns and shoot enemies side-on. Unfortunately some characters feel the same, like the Writer, who doesn't have any abilities aside from... not being able to kill people? There are characters without masks now, and simply have different abilities.

    But the main thing to comment on here is the story. The story is what's been focused on the most in this game, tying up loose ends with the story of the original, as well as providing explanations and making you gasp with realisation and shock at many points. The game bounces back between many characters, where stories may intertwine, with characters seeing or killing each other through missions. The story is incredibly surreal in the first as well as its sequel, but makes a surprising amount of sense by the end of the game, each character being important or serving a role. The ending hits you like a train when it all comes together as well.

    So overall, while gameplay is slightly slower-paced than its original, it still stands as an amazing game, worthy of being a sequel, with everything you could expect out of it and more.    … Expand
  8. BoneyMfan
    Apr 20, 2015
    7
    I cant say that this game is better than original Hotline Miami, but it is still a good game. Story is cool, gameplay is kinda boring after original, so i will give it 7/10
  9. DogManStar
    Apr 14, 2015
    7
    Not my kind of game, but I really enjoyed the first part, so I had to buy this one. Combats, fire weapons, hectic action... The game is trivial, and amazingly fun!
  10. floppykid
    Apr 3, 2015
    5
    Felt compelled to create an account to write this review because of all the sock puppet accounts spring up, giving ten star reviews.

    A horribly disappointing sequel to a great game. Hotline Miami 1 was at once rhythmic and spontaneous in its gameplay. It was a succinct shot of adrenaline, bleeding neon visuals and pulsing synth. Hotline Miami 2 retains the superb visuals and arguably    Felt compelled to create an account to write this review because of all the sock puppet accounts spring up, giving ten star reviews.

    A horribly disappointing sequel to a great game. Hotline Miami 1 was at once rhythmic and spontaneous in its gameplay. It was a succinct shot of adrenaline, bleeding neon visuals and pulsing synth. Hotline Miami 2 retains the superb visuals and arguably has a superior soundtrack. But those are the only two facets where it either matches or surpasses its predecessor.

    The story is a bloated and confused mess. It's written by people who are not in any way capable enough to devise a plot to hang all the pointless ultra-violence on. That doesn't stop them trying manfully though, for far too long. They should have just done what they did with the first game, negligible plot.

    The gameplay, unfortunately, often surpasses the plot for tedium and frustration. Gone are the level runs where you'd actually.......well run. In stead, an all to wide and empty vista of a map is spammed with mobs holding guns, mobs behind windows holding guns, special big characters holding guns and dogs holding guns that shoot windows. So you're forced to find a shotgun, a suitable room corner and lure the enemies in to mow them down in a doorway. You have to become a camper. It's awful and a massive backward stumble for the game.

    The game is somewhat saved by the levels where you can use the Tony mask and the Writer's levels. The Writer can't use guns at all because he's a non-lethal character. You even get extra combo-chains and points for picking up weapons and unloading them. It's a calculated risk, but it's a good and clever change. If only the rest of the game could've followed suit.

    The Soundtrack is superb, well worth listening to all the way through. Much better than the first's, which is also kickin'. The graphic work for the level intros, and levels themselves, is also excellent. A combination of the pros I've mentioned here save the game from being a 3.5 (not that metacritic would allow me to post that score) and bring it to a 5.

    My advice to PC gamers is to wait for a steam sale and/or the level editor to be released.    … Expand
  11. RoccoSalvetti
    Mar 28, 2015
    5
    It is like the first one but with an awful level design and a not interesting plot.You will die a lot, these days it seems fun but 9 out of 10 times here will be because of something shooting from outside of the screen. Where the first game could praise being reckless, here you will hide, lure the enemies toward you and then kill them. It is boring and frustrating in the way that skillIt is like the first one but with an awful level design and a not interesting plot.You will die a lot, these days it seems fun but 9 out of 10 times here will be because of something shooting from outside of the screen. Where the first game could praise being reckless, here you will hide, lure the enemies toward you and then kill them. It is boring and frustrating in the way that skill doesn't count much.… Expand
  12. Da_Metz
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    Hotline Miami 2 is a game that was created due to popular demand however this being said Hotline Miami 2 is an amazing game on virtually the same par of Hotline Miami! With a more detailed and added story explaining the chronicles of events that took place before the first game, during the first game and finally directly following the ending of the first game, with added comics thisHotline Miami 2 is a game that was created due to popular demand however this being said Hotline Miami 2 is an amazing game on virtually the same par of Hotline Miami! With a more detailed and added story explaining the chronicles of events that took place before the first game, during the first game and finally directly following the ending of the first game, with added comics this poured gas on the fire for a plethora of fans who where already donning their animal masks ready for the next edition to the games two part series. Keeping the soundtrack in the same violent/neon colored overtone Hotline Miami 2 saw returning artists such as Perturbator, Moon and many others as well as some new coming artists to the series such as Mega Drive and El Tig3r adds to the unforgiving nature of the game and the feeling of pure satisfaction after completing such a seemingly impossible task.

    This game is one to remember!    … Expand
  13. dannyharrington
    Mar 23, 2015
    6
    A decent game. It's much longer than the previous version, arguably out-staying it's welcome with it's gameplay getting a little stale by the end of this game, whereas, with the original, I was desperately cramming for more gameplay by the end. The gameplay is similar to the last but with a few differences. The main one being that the levels are bigger than HM1. This seems like a positiveA decent game. It's much longer than the previous version, arguably out-staying it's welcome with it's gameplay getting a little stale by the end of this game, whereas, with the original, I was desperately cramming for more gameplay by the end. The gameplay is similar to the last but with a few differences. The main one being that the levels are bigger than HM1. This seems like a positive but ends up being a downside. It's difficulty is ramped up because of this, and the small issues in the gameplay of HM1 are exemplified because of the expanded level design. The trial and error nature of the gameplay becomes quite annoying in this version with you finally beating part of a stage after tons of trial and error, only to have you die to something you couldn't have predicted or reacted to, bringing in even more trial and error. This wasn't nearly as much of an issue in the original as the levels were smaller. There also is a few times were it isn't clear if something is actually there, or simply drawn into the background. For example, there are some 2d objects that you cannot be seen or shot through, but some that are and aren't actually there, it's just what the floor looks like. In a game with split-second decisions, this can easily lead to unfair deaths and redoing a retardedly long level. Same thing with off-screen enemies shooting you before you have a chance to react. The targeting is also very inaccurate with it being virtually impossible to consistently target who you want unless they're very close to you and nowhere near other enemies. Also, as with any 2d game, you'll find that an enemy will occasionally occupy the same space that you do, in which even if you react first, you'll likely die. The masks were also changed for the better IMO with almost all the masks being relevant and separate for different character. Unlike in HM1 where 90%+ of the masks were pointless. Still, it is the same core gameplay as the previous iteration so it is still incredibly fun and rewarding trying to find the best route to victory.

    The story has much more emphasis on it this time around. It's actually not that complicated but with the way it's presented, you'll likely have no idea what's going on unless you look it up presented in a simpler form after you completed it. It constantly switches from past to present with various different characters more than Lost. It's difficult to tell who's who due to the 2d top-down nature of the game (and the ridiculous number of characters, making it difficult to remember them all). A simple reference from earlier in the game or HM1 that you may not get because the game throws so many different stories and information at you, will cause a ripple effect of you not having a f*cking clue of what is going on. The number of characters doesn't help this with many just being filler to the story and making it needlessly more complicated. Despite it's downsides, I was intrigued and didn't particularly feel massively let down at any single point unlike HM1's ending.

    The soundtrack is still great but not as good as the original IMO. But this is so subjective that it's difficult to criticise this as they're both considered to be great soundtracks.

    I will say I haven't experienced many bugs and I played it a couple weeks after release but your experience may differ.

    Overall, it's still a solid game, but arguably out stays its welcome which exemplifies the small issues of the previous game, but the changing of the masks (upgrades) bringing a new dynamic. The story whilst intriguing is also confusing with it's needlessly complicated presentation and irrelevant characters. The soundtrack is solid and the core gameplay is still highly fun and equally infuriating which is what makes HM what it is.    … Expand
  14. Beepglob
    Mar 23, 2015
    9
    Hotline Miami 2 is one of the best games I have ever played! Imagine Hotline Miami, only longer (in a good way), more weapons, a better hud, and better overall controls. That is Hotline Miami.
  15. Underpants158
    Mar 22, 2015
    6
    What is this game?!?!: A top down retro action game that is best approached slow and methodical. Then toss in 80s inspired music and ultra violence and you got Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number.
    Pros:
    -People rave about the music and it is a part of creating a unique atmosphere that is distinguishably Hotline Miami. -A lot of people say there is a lack of variety in dealing with levels.    What is this game?!?!: A top down retro action game that is best approached slow and methodical. Then toss in 80s inspired music and ultra violence and you got Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number.
    Pros:
    -People rave about the music and it is a part of creating a unique atmosphere that is distinguishably Hotline Miami.
    -A lot of people say there is a lack of variety in dealing with levels. Though what they mean is that a lot of times that variety is imposed on you by the game and not your own choice which I think is fine. Sometimes you'll play a scene with a fisticuffs reporter and sometimes you'll be a Rambo esque shotgun and knife wielding jungle commando.

    Cons:
    -Pretty atrocious AI respond nonsensically at times. For instance when you shoot a gun a select few enemies (seemingly regardless of distance) charge at you and others stay. After you shoot a gun and go into a room the enemies pile into the doorway where you easily slaughter them. But to make up for all the bad AI they have amazing accuracy.
    -Offscreen enemies see you before you see them. This is a problem more so in this game due to the bigger levels and longer hallways. And when they do see you apparently they have an auto lock function because they snipe you dead. Not to mention dogs. Run at you from offscreen and bam. Dead. Auto lock jaw on your neck.
    -Story has many different characters that is jumps back and forth between and years that it also jumps back and forth between making it very hard to keep up with but honestly it could have no story and that'd sort of be fine.

    Conclusion: I feel like to play this game is to play around it's inefficiencies. Exploiting the bad AI and avoiding hallways when possible. It is a frustrating experience whereas the first wasn't even though it pretty much had the same cons. A lot of times when I died I felt it was because of the faults of the game (AI/autolock/offscreen enemies) and not myself. Though that is not to say that every time I died I felt I had been cheated by the game. A lot of times it was a misplay, I didn't react quickly enough, didn't time my stab right, etc. And that's fine. That's great even. But to me I was too overwhelmed by the other times when I felt the game was ****    … Expand
  16. lakin777
    Mar 22, 2015
    4
    The sequel has better story and better variety in well everything. however thats where the cons end.
    The first one had awesome puzzle like melee combat and awful gun play, well this time melee is completely useless since from first mission almost everybody has guns and oh they will shoot you since theres plenty of giant maps so you cant even see whos got you.
    the variety in masks    The sequel has better story and better variety in well everything. however thats where the cons end.
    The first one had awesome puzzle like melee combat and awful gun play, well this time melee is completely useless since from first mission almost everybody has guns and oh they will shoot you since theres plenty of giant maps so you cant even see whos got you.
    the variety in masks actually screw you over since 75% of them i found making the game harder and the 25% had some useless effect,
    protip: try taking no weapons mask and all missions are hell.
    Like i said the missions are harder and actually way longer then they used to be, still checkpoints are only every map and saves are only per mission, leading to an hour of gameplay and then ragequit, after which u realise u have to do even the easy bits of that mission again.
    4/10 truly disappointed as i truly enjoyed first one. :(    … Expand
  17. Stealthgear
    Mar 21, 2015
    6
    The story and dialogue is skippable. The music is a little derivative. The graphics aren't too bad. The only way to play it is to lure enemys into a hall one at a time. The AI seems to be the same and the only thing keeping you in the game is how lucky you are or how fast you fire back. The weapons do not have a very good spread to make it fun. The content of the game is kinda gross. IThe story and dialogue is skippable. The music is a little derivative. The graphics aren't too bad. The only way to play it is to lure enemys into a hall one at a time. The AI seems to be the same and the only thing keeping you in the game is how lucky you are or how fast you fire back. The weapons do not have a very good spread to make it fun. The content of the game is kinda gross. I can't think of a reason to buy it unless you want to test your reflexes. Its a flashy package that needs more variety. They could have taken many directions to make it more fun for the player but did not.… Expand
  18. SixIsMyName
    Mar 20, 2015
    10
    There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, that this game is a step up from its predecessor. With more weapons, a better story, and more masks. I definitely recommend picking this one up! Also, as a bonus, people with Payday 2, you get a free mask! (At least when I bought it it gave it to me, although this might be different to you.)

    Definitely worth picking up, and playing over and over    There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, that this game is a step up from its predecessor. With more weapons, a better story, and more masks. I definitely recommend picking this one up! Also, as a bonus, people with Payday 2, you get a free mask! (At least when I bought it it gave it to me, although this might be different to you.)

    Definitely worth picking up, and playing over and over again!
    10/10    … Expand
  19. Merebimur
    Mar 20, 2015
    1
    Where do I start?! I loved the first Hotline Miami which felt fresh, unpredictable and pumped full of adrenaline. Clocked up well over 200 hours on that title as the replayability was just superb.

    This sad excuse for a sequel is an abortion of game - incredibly erratic AI, frustratingly terrible level design and a storyline that feels it was written during a game of consequences! I    Where do I start?! I loved the first Hotline Miami which felt fresh, unpredictable and pumped full of adrenaline. Clocked up well over 200 hours on that title as the replayability was just superb.

    This sad excuse for a sequel is an abortion of game - incredibly erratic AI, frustratingly terrible level design and a storyline that feels it was written during a game of consequences! I cannot believe that Devolver have anything to do with this game or, more depressingly, that they take gamers to be a gullible sack of tw@ts who are happy to part readily with cash for a rushed, half-baked buggy follow ups. Steer well clear of this mess!    … Expand
  20. Walter_Stardude
    Mar 19, 2015
    9
    I'll try to keep it short, I like it a lot. Almost as much the first one.

    This story of this game tries to answer a lot of questions Hotline Miami 1 made us ask, though a lot of it is up for interpretation. The gameplay is a lot like the first one, but this time you play with a lot of different characters who al play slightly different. This differentiates this game from the first one,    I'll try to keep it short, I like it a lot. Almost as much the first one.

    This story of this game tries to answer a lot of questions Hotline Miami 1 made us ask, though a lot of it is up for interpretation.
    The gameplay is a lot like the first one, but this time you play with a lot of different characters who al play slightly different. This differentiates this game from the first one, and also makes for a nice change of pace. There are a lot more levels in this one, and the difficulty on some of them is a lot higher than the first game. There's also a hard mode after you complete the game if you still feel the game's too easy.
    The soundtrack is even better than the first one and there are a lot more songs to enjoy.
    Overall it's a worthy sequel to one of my favorite games of all time.    … Expand
  21. Alkatraz
    Mar 18, 2015
    6
    My goal here is to weigh this game up reasonably, so here it is:

    Pro's - More of the same game style. - Interesting new characters. - Interesting new masks. - Interesting level design, more challenging. Con's - Quite a slow pace. - Level design is interesting but frustrating at times; being shot of screen after an amazing run is simply disappointing and an unfair advantage. -    My goal here is to weigh this game up reasonably, so here it is:

    Pro's
    - More of the same game style.
    - Interesting new characters.
    - Interesting new masks.
    - Interesting level design, more challenging.

    Con's
    - Quite a slow pace.
    - Level design is interesting but frustrating at times; being shot of screen after an amazing run is simply disappointing and an unfair advantage.
    - New masks...are disappointingly bland.
    - Limited new masks, no where near the same amount of masks and unique traits as the original.
    - Story...is...extremely confusing, and outlandish. Not in a good way.

    Quick snapshot:
    I felt this game was confused, in many ways, in direction, music, story, and just overall narration of what was going on. I may be missing something but from a game mechanic point of view, I must say there are VERY few masks, and none of which really inspire me as Hotline Miami 1 had. The ending left me a bit sour also.

    The 6/10 is really because I respect game design, and this is still a good game...compare this to the original however and I would never have played this. The original has amazing music, masks, gameplay mechanics, and excellent pacing. Play that instead of this to be frank, or play it to see what I mean. I hope this review has helped, and I have purposely included ZERO spoilers.

    -Alkatraz    … Expand
  22. stako
    Mar 16, 2015
    8
    The long awaited sequel to the superb Hotline Miami can best be described with one word - more. Ain't enough? Well here's a phrase - it ties up all ends nicely.
    Filled with violence, gore and provocative showcasing, this is indeed a successor to the original. The disturbingly jagged art style is back, it's even displayed at times in new and more creative ways. It still retains it's    The long awaited sequel to the superb Hotline Miami can best be described with one word - more. Ain't enough? Well here's a phrase - it ties up all ends nicely.
    Filled with violence, gore and provocative showcasing, this is indeed a successor to the original. The disturbingly jagged art style is back, it's even displayed at times in new and more creative ways. It still retains it's grotesque feel and it uses it well to it's advantage.
    Getting the other obvious thing out of the way - the soundtrack is stellar, again. It will be thumping in your heads long after you complete the game, and for good reason. Some new artists, some recurring ones and loads of MP3-player-worthy material make this OST worth owning.
    But let's get to the core - gameplay. This is where Hotline Miami was at it's finest, even making a point how important gameplay is as a narrative, not alongside one. Hotline Miami 2, in this aspect, offers more - more weapons, more ways to slay, more levels and they are bigger. And, worst of all - it's way, way harder. And I do mean this as a negative point. Coming from someone who loves the first game and has beaten it 5 times, never taking more than 6 tries at any level, in any of those playthroughs, the sequel goes to the extreme. Some levels are borderline insane, which sadly makes me say that they are very poorly designed. You can't expand on level scale and leave everything else as it is! That's madness! At times I felt as if the game had no QA testing at all! I had to resort to bugs and exploits to get out of some tight spots, simply because the game gave me options that would ultimately always lead to my doom. Some combinations I found to be absolutely impossible. And speaking of bugs, this game has it's fair share, and the fact that I was searching for them to complete some stages says a lot. And to top it all off - the game crashed on me twice, which is unforgivable when you have to restart the whole damn stage again, from the start (and you were, say, at the last room). Which again brings up the point - if you are gonna have bigger stages, you are gonna need a slightly different save system, because your game crashes. Or just have it not crash. Your choice. Overall, technically, the game feels a bit unfinished. But to be honest - I kept coming back, because it was brutally fun and ... intriguing.
    Speaking of intriguing, I, as a defender of art and narrative-driven games, think that Hotline Miami was one of the finest examples of storytelling and art in gaming to ever be crafted. So naturally, Hotline Miami 2 had to do it's damn best to impress me. To be honest, I didn't get what I wanted. But I won't turn back what is offered either. Without spoiling anything, the story answers all questions left unanswered by the first game. The events have come full circle and now we know the absolute and final chronology of everything (for now) and that was pretty sweet to see. Dennation obviously tried to do something different with multiple protagonists and plotlines, and in terms of story - that is cool, but in terms of storytelling - it is convoluted. Very convoluted. Getting things in the right order is a pain, because they are not served in the right order. Piecing the puzzle is, once again, left to the player and it is no easy task, rather an annoying one. But it is worth it in the end. To get back once more to the multiple protagonists - this goes a bit against the game itself, because it often limits the player to playing a level in a certain way, which surely is challenging, but some of us don't want to use guns, because they make things harder. And making a insanely hard game harder by taking away player choice isn't the most clever thing I've seen lately.
    To top this all off - the game isn't finished yet. The level editor isn't out, you can't download custom levels and once again - there is nothing to do after the story is finished, other than hunt achievements and find the few secrets present. I am very eager to build levels and download new ones, so I hope this feature releases soon. If it successfully does and it's everything that it should be (as in - loads of assets, all previous masks, new additions, the ability to tie levels into custom campaigns, unlimited downloads and - the update being free of charge), I would up the score on this. That would be a very worthy and valuable addition to the game, making it virtually infinite to us Hotline Miami Crackheads. But untill then... I will continue playing the story on hard mode. Because I'm hooked. Again.
    Because I like hurting people. And I'm not yet sure why. All I know is that Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number makes it very fun, enjoyable and intriguing. And while it doesn't do anything outstandingly better than the original, it is at the very least as equally as good and is well worth the requested price. Do you like hurting people?    … Expand
  23. Reconhope
    Mar 15, 2015
    10
    Game is extremely addictive and fun more so than the first one because it is more challenging. Thank god the developers didn't **** out and make it easy when ppl complained the first one was hard. The story is interesting in the classic Dennation Games fashion.
  24. Zzgashi
    Mar 15, 2015
    8
    The music is fantastic and the graphics great. The story is continuously interesting and the focus on multiple characters also forces the player to try multiple play styles. Variety is the game's greatest improvement, yet also it's weakest aspect. The game starts with lots of characters, and lots of masks, however later in the game everything degrades into a repetitive game of peekaboo.
  25. johnnymnec
    Mar 14, 2015
    8
    I've been playing for a couple of hours now and wanted to share my first impression. Hotline Miami 2 is undoubtedly a solid game. But as it's a sequel, the important thing is to consider what this game adds to the franchise - being released after the indie blockbuster Hotline Miami 1.

    First things first. Read the comic before starting the game. It's nice and ties some points between two    I've been playing for a couple of hours now and wanted to share my first impression. Hotline Miami 2 is undoubtedly a solid game. But as it's a sequel, the important thing is to consider what this game adds to the franchise - being released after the indie blockbuster Hotline Miami 1.

    First things first. Read the comic before starting the game. It's nice and ties some points between two games. Music: again awesome. Some people may like more as it is more darker now. But, the soundtrack is expensive - it has the same price tag with the game.

    Now, gameplay. Top-down f*ck'em up style didn't wear up, so it is still very entertaining. As I saw, enemies are more active. There are some questionable points though. Wide rooms make it harder to spot enemies so you will definitely get some cheap deaths. Sometimes, the enemies get stuck during their patrol. I don't know if it happens to everyone, but when you kill the last enemy on a floor, there is a chance that the game freezes momentarily. I didn't encounter any stability issues however.

    The plot leads from multiple points. You play as multiple characters, who have different perks and style, replacing mask perks in the first game - and I think that's a fine change. As I said, I played for a couple of hours so I don't know if the story ties up well, hope it does.

    Finally, does Hotline Miami 2 suffer from Call of Duty syndrome: no, considering that this is the last Hotline Miami entry and it has some new features. Making a sequel for the first game was undoubtedly hard, trying to reach the sensation it created as it was very unique. There aren't many substantial changes, so it is understandable that there are some disappointed people.

    Hotline Miami 2 is a fine addition to a fantastic franchise. If you liked the first game, you should definitely get it. If you are new to the series, try the first game, then consider for yourself.    … Expand
  26. Kamamura
    Mar 14, 2015
    4
    Unfortunately, this sequel of the awesome Hotline Miami 1 is quite bad. Almost in all aspects, I have to say.

    How is that possible? The developer has apparently decided to emphasize the weak points of the game while neglecting the strong points. First of all, the control scheme is mediocre. You can either play with mouse and keyboard, getting better precision, but the problem is that    Unfortunately, this sequel of the awesome Hotline Miami 1 is quite bad. Almost in all aspects, I have to say.

    How is that possible? The developer has apparently decided to emphasize the weak points of the game while neglecting the strong points.

    First of all, the control scheme is mediocre. You can either play with mouse and keyboard, getting better precision, but the problem is that you aim via a near-invisible cursor that easy to lose sight off. Because mouse aiming is relative, you must know which direction you are aiming - and with twitch aiming, this just does not work. Gamepad has the "lock nearest enemy" function that almost feels like cheating, and the analog stick aiming is absolute, but the precision is far worse.

    Another problem is that the game is horribly pixelated and thus the artificially low resolution can cover only a small part of the battlefield. The solution is to SHIFT - peek out of your normal vision range in a given direction that is both clunky and unfit for a fast-paced, twitchy game.

    That all is less of a problem in small, close quarters map, where stealth, melee and careful planning is most important. That's why the developer has decided to go for large maps with tons of automatic guns, where you get shot from beyond your visual range most of the time, so you must carefully shift-creep through the levels. Frustrating, slow, bad.

    The prevailing theme of the sequel is the prevalent American "MORE" - more player characters, more guns, more enemies, bigger levels, more story threads. Unfortunately, it all results in a worse game - big levels are tedious to play, ranged gun play emphasizes poor controls, too many story-lines shatter the focus of the game narrative without really going anywhere. The gruesome acts of violence get exhausted fast as a shocker.

    4/10 - Disappointing.    … Expand
  27. scarab5Q
    Mar 14, 2015
    9
    This game isn't technically better than the original but I like it more. Sure the level design isn't as good and you will be killed by enemies off the screen that you couldn't have seen coming and some levels are just flat out unfair . But why do I like this more than the first game ? Firstly the story is firstly easier to follow is more interesting and more importantly means it forces youThis game isn't technically better than the original but I like it more. Sure the level design isn't as good and you will be killed by enemies off the screen that you couldn't have seen coming and some levels are just flat out unfair . But why do I like this more than the first game ? Firstly the story is firstly easier to follow is more interesting and more importantly means it forces you to play the game in a different way for every level (did anyone else just use tony the tiger for the entirety of the first game?) . Secondly the soundtrack is absolutely incredible . It is really varied and prefer it to the first one (which is one of my favourite game soundtracks ever so this is really saying something). Finally this game takes longer to beat and has way more replay value as the unlock able hard mode is just punishing and I love it. All in all did you like the first one and are you okay with it being quite a bit harder? Then just get it… Expand
  28. Sergeant_MarkIV
    Mar 13, 2015
    6
    This game is a huge letdown. It's an inferior sequel in every single aspect. The level design is terrible, the plot is a pointless mess, the gameplay was completely destroyed, the AI is bugged, the levels are poorly decorated almost like if the game was made in a rush. This game not just doesn't live up the hype, but also fails even on it's own. If you don't believe me and think I am someThis game is a huge letdown. It's an inferior sequel in every single aspect. The level design is terrible, the plot is a pointless mess, the gameplay was completely destroyed, the AI is bugged, the levels are poorly decorated almost like if the game was made in a rush. This game not just doesn't live up the hype, but also fails even on it's own. If you don't believe me and think I am some kind of brainless hater, okay, then I invite you to try playing the original game right after you finish playing this one, so you can testify with your own eyes how the gameplay, the level design, the plot, the graphics, the mechanics, the attention to details, and absolutely everything else (exept the soundtrack maybe) feels like a downgrade over the original game. For me, this is the biggest deception of the year so far. Do not buy it unless the devs come up with a huge update.… Expand
  29. dohgeh
    Mar 13, 2015
    2
    There is no doubt that Hotline Miami 2 isn't a fun game, but it's a major disappointment.

    Hotline Miami 1 was so fast paced and fluid, Hotline Miami 2 is fast paced, but it's different. You no longer charge enemies at beat their head in. You now have to basically hide behind corners and lure enemies to you. It's just not as fun as Hotline Miami. It feels boring and just has zero    There is no doubt that Hotline Miami 2 isn't a fun game, but it's a major disappointment.

    Hotline Miami 1 was so fast paced and fluid, Hotline Miami 2 is fast paced, but it's different. You no longer charge enemies at beat their head in. You now have to basically hide behind corners and lure enemies to you. It's just not as fun as Hotline Miami. It feels boring and just has zero replayability.

    The level design has also been pumped down WAY too much. Through the entire game, you will feel like you've been through here 5 times already. It's so disappointing to see that what made the first game stand out and what made it good was completely ripped out and traded for a more focused story. Honestly the story doesn't interest me at all! That's not what made me like Hotline Miami 1! I liked Hotline Miami 1 for it's unique levels and awesome gameplay. The story is okay. It touches up queasy subjects like rape and torture.

    Overall, Hotline Miami is not a bad game if you've never played the first one, but it is a HUGE disappointment if you have played the first one. If you haven't played either and you are interested, buy the first once. You most likely won't regret it.    … Expand
  30. Chronykle
    Mar 13, 2015
    4
    Graphics are weak, gameplay is borish. Its an extremely violent game which is made to hook kids. I dont like those marketing ploys. Now if it were guided towards adults I would give it a 7 that is not the case though.
  31. gdsmzroll
    Mar 13, 2015
    10
    You know there are many games made nowadays but the games that truly are worth buying and playing are the ones that provide you with the most effortless fun; and hotline miami 2 is that game. Its really everything I expected out of the sequel. More violence, longer and more engaging story, amazing soundtrack, and more complex and difficult levels. Sure the difficulty can be a bitYou know there are many games made nowadays but the games that truly are worth buying and playing are the ones that provide you with the most effortless fun; and hotline miami 2 is that game. Its really everything I expected out of the sequel. More violence, longer and more engaging story, amazing soundtrack, and more complex and difficult levels. Sure the difficulty can be a bit cumbersome, but how was Hotline miami never difficult?. "Oh i cant go around hitting people aimlessly, i have to actually device a strategy thats why this game sucks" This kind of complaint goes to show how peple want games to be spoonfeeded to them and have all the work done. Like Dark Souls, Hotline miami 1 and 2 prove the real value of a game is in its unique artistic design and not in the quantity of every-other-game elements in it. I highly reccommend this game to everyone who had or played the first one and hope you make a damn bloody mess just like I did.… Expand
  32. Jankovic_
    Mar 13, 2015
    10
    Hotline Miami 2 is not an improvement on Hotline Miami, rather it's a whole game of it's own. It may have a reference or two to the old one, but on its own, it differentiates itself enough to be considered on a different level.
    You follow an odd 7 or so psychopaths, detectives and soldiers through a grim "alternate history". The story is phenomenal, with a conclusion a-kin to a dream,    Hotline Miami 2 is not an improvement on Hotline Miami, rather it's a whole game of it's own. It may have a reference or two to the old one, but on its own, it differentiates itself enough to be considered on a different level.
    You follow an odd 7 or so psychopaths, detectives and soldiers through a grim "alternate history". The story is phenomenal, with a conclusion a-kin to a dream, asking questions about if anything was worth it. Again, the mystery and speculation from the fist game, is still here.
    Musically, the game has been modernised, and this would be a little problematic, if it weren't for the score being utterly stellar. Music is slow and depressing in some areas, and fast and "violent" in others. Graphically the game is still as OK as ever, besides a few improved visual effects.
    The only major problem is that the levels are massive. This is compensated for with the incredible diversity, but I cant help but feel that the drag on, not helped by the fact that they are designed to be harder than the last game.
    One final note: I think the developer's passion was paramount. You could really feel that the game was made by two really inspired guys (and a hundred other musicians). This means I can forgive all the shortcomings to some degree. I think everyone should stop comparing this masterpiece to the cult classic of 2012, because as a whole this is a very different game.    … Expand
  33. Unearthlyxbox
    Mar 12, 2015
    1
    Hotline Miami 2 really shows how easy it is to mutilate something that had so much potential.
    Even if it were viewed on its own it would still be awful
    Incomplete game(Riddled With bugs) Little to no replayability Awful Level Design Focuses Way too much on telling a story(not bad on its own, but a sequel should reflect the format of the original game, I wouldnt be complaining if it    Hotline Miami 2 really shows how easy it is to mutilate something that had so much potential.
    Even if it were viewed on its own it would still be awful
    Incomplete game(Riddled With bugs)
    Little to no replayability
    Awful Level Design
    Focuses Way too much on telling a story(not bad on its own, but a sequel should reflect the format of the original game, I wouldnt be complaining if it wasnt a problem.)

    The amazing soundtrack is the only reason it gets a 1 rather than a 0    … Expand
  34. Kurtsi
    Mar 12, 2015
    9
    This game wasn't better than the first one gameplay wise, but if you can look past the sloppy controls you'll find this so entertaining. The game had great hysterical story too. Completing the game took me about 8 hours (Yes 8 full hours), and the re-play value is huge in this one. (SPOILER: pst hard mode has differences to first playthrough).
    Pros:
    -Long game (around 8 hours on medium)    This game wasn't better than the first one gameplay wise, but if you can look past the sloppy controls you'll find this so entertaining. The game had great hysterical story too. Completing the game took me about 8 hours (Yes 8 full hours), and the re-play value is huge in this one. (SPOILER: pst hard mode has differences to first playthrough).
    Pros:
    -Long game (around 8 hours on medium)
    -Interesting story
    -Interesting characters
    -Lovely melee gameplay.
    -Only 15 euros, buy it. I SAID BUY IT!!!

    Cons:
    -Mask system wasn't great to be honest.
    -Sloppy movement and some crosshair/input lag.
    -Gun gameplay kinda boring (sorry).    … Expand
  35. KolbStomp
    Mar 12, 2015
    9
    Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number may not be for everyone but it is an amazing experience for those that choose to brave the challenge. It not only expands on everything the first game brought to the table, but adds unique gameplay features and unbridled difficulty. In comparison to the first game, the gameplay is much more varied. Instead of masks simply giving you a weapon to start with orHotline Miami 2: Wrong Number may not be for everyone but it is an amazing experience for those that choose to brave the challenge. It not only expands on everything the first game brought to the table, but adds unique gameplay features and unbridled difficulty. In comparison to the first game, the gameplay is much more varied. Instead of masks simply giving you a weapon to start with or changing your character's speed they'll completely change the way you play. From the chainsaw and gun wielding duo, Alex & Ash to using a long range sniper and close quarters knife combo this game really explores the possibilities of a top-down shooter. You'll hear some complaints about difficulty but as someone who loved the first game, it's pretty welcomed. The original Hotline Miami was one of my go-to favourite games. I'd just sit down and kill some mobsters for 15 or 20 minutes, Over the course of a few years I put quite a bit of time into the original Hotline Miami and it became pretty easy. Wrong Number realized this and knew that there had to be a steeper difficulty curve. It starts to bar on the difficulty of old NES and SNES games which may seem unfair to some people but was more of reminiscent or nostalgic feeling for me. The game never feels impossible but rather incredibly challenging.

    The music is just as good (if not better than the first game) and alone is worth the purchase. You'll find the soundtrack pumping you up to clear the next room or just chill you out while you're selecting a chapter to replay. I purchased the vinyl soundtrack and it was worth every penny.

    As for the story; Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number keeps the retro 1980s (and early 1990s) vibe the first game established and drives it home with a mosaic of eighties and nineties movie tropes. In true Hotline Miami tradition they paint the whole picture through disjointed and hazy visuals in cut-scenes as well as subtle background imagery allowing for you to still come up with wild theories and discuss the story with your friends. The games art is unmistakeably beautiful and tranquil at times while being disturbing, gory & over-the-top violent the rest of time. Dennaton has said this will be their last Hotline Miami instalment and they manage to send the series off in a melancholy, dark and beautiful tone.

    To sum everything up, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number will probably not appeal to those who are faint of heart or are seeking a more relaxing experience. But will be very satisfying for those who a looking for a insanely challenging retro game. Especially to who enjoy the 80s/90s neon blood-spattered world. Hotline Miami 2 will go down as one of my absolute favourite games of all time.    … Expand
  36. albionzion
    Mar 12, 2015
    2
    first game was amazing, 10/10. this **** is full of glitches, the lock system is totally broken, maps are too large and enemy can shot you from a distance superior then your max visual, all in all a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. also the music is far inferior than HM1. 2 years to make this ****ty game is a joke. wait until is free with psn cause giving money for this work is a crime
  37. bombrero
    Mar 12, 2015
    3
    First of all I must say: I consider Miami Hotline to be the savior of the little faith I had in "indie" game development In my scale it is the first one, even above "lone survivor" by a bit. For me, it is a Masterpiece, to the point that I've completed it 100% and gone through the story 5 or 6 times (cant even remember)

    Miami hotline 2: Wrong number is an extremely frustrating game for    First of all I must say: I consider Miami Hotline to be the savior of the little faith I had in "indie" game development In my scale it is the first one, even above "lone survivor" by a bit. For me, it is a Masterpiece, to the point that I've completed it 100% and gone through the story 5 or 6 times (cant even remember)

    Miami hotline 2: Wrong number is an extremely frustrating game for the following reasons:

    ·Mouse Issues:
    ->There are some major problems with the mouse handling, the first one, it presents a slight amount of input lag, feeling unresponsive every time you need a quick turn or aim.
    The second and most important would be the mouse resetting: every time a locked on enemy dies, the mouse points not in the direction he was before dying, but in the direction he was when you locked on him, which means, that if he ran towards you along with his friends, after you kil him, you will be suddenly aiming backwards at a blank space with your back turned on the rest of the enemies. This happens as well when you perform a roll with Corey, resulting in you rolling right AND places the cursor in the middle of the screen, slightly to your right. You can only avoid this by pressing a movement key while you role so the cursor is placed in the direction you are moving. This is a FATAL flaw, since it leaves you rolling and aiming in a complete different direction that you were expecting, sometimes turning yet again your back on your enemies.

    --> Level design is completely unprofessional. In the first game, the narrow corridor carnages tested both your handling skill and your tactical improvisation: some enemies had ranged weapons and were mixed with melee fighters, so you wanted to get the weapon guys first while avoiding the melee fighters so you could survive the encounter. This was the essence of their motto "Recklessness is rewarded", since thinking a thorough plan to wipe the enemies wont work on a 3 vs 1, so you had to simplify the plan, pick a primary objective, and let your skills and reflexes carry out the rest for you, enhancing the combos, since you took on 3 enemies at one time in a split second, and if anyone barged in, you automatically reformulated the process to kill him and anyone that could have seen you. Nevertheless, that gameplay mechanic needed some brakes, otherwise, the whole game would have been a continuous slaugtherfest with little to no difficulty, so they put some stages with windows and huge rooms in order to slow you down, and pace the game artificially. Those stages were really nice implemented, and after the quick battles you felt it was natural to encounter some resistance from time to time, after all you are singlehandedly killing dozens of armed people. Nevertheless, it was the most boring and frustrating part of the game: no room for combos, slow paced, cheaply difficult... It was simply an artificial drag down perfectly implemented. The problem with Miami Hotline 2 is that THIS is the primary gameplay and level choices... You have a WHOLE game designed after the most unfun parts of his predecessor. As a result, the fast paced twitchy combat that made your adrenaline rush is now a CHORE to play. Imagine a mortal combat where every fighter was Goro, and then you fight Shao Kahn... Not fun at all.

    I wont talk about the story because I feel so impotent when playing this game I havent touched it since my first time playing.

    Please: BEWARE OF THIS GAME, IT PLAYS NOTHING LIKE THE ORIGINAL, FEELS BUGGY AND DOESNT IMPROVE A THING, IT MAKES IT WORSE!!    … Expand
  38. pepikJS
    Mar 12, 2015
    2
    This sequel is like: "Hey, lets make levels huge as fuk with more enemies!" It's not fukin working. Hotline Miami 1 was a gem with greatly designed levels, this sequel is a cambric tea. I don't want to play thiís game anymore, it's fukin annoying! The levels are annoying as fuk! Music is annoying as fuk!
  39. Garfoodle
    Mar 12, 2015
    0
    It's bad, very bad. Where to start? It's incredibly buggy, not much fun, is too long, and just kinda sucks. The original was good. There isn't any denying that. But this rendition is a poor cash in on something that never really needed a sequel. Maybe the addition of a map edition, set to release some time, will liven it all up. Honestly, though, I doubt it. It's not good. Replay theIt's bad, very bad. Where to start? It's incredibly buggy, not much fun, is too long, and just kinda sucks. The original was good. There isn't any denying that. But this rendition is a poor cash in on something that never really needed a sequel. Maybe the addition of a map edition, set to release some time, will liven it all up. Honestly, though, I doubt it. It's not good. Replay the original, get the OST off of YouTube, and play with the Payday 2 masks that came with it, but don't play the game itself.… Expand
  40. Massaki
    Mar 12, 2015
    3
    To have a sequel where the developer's intention is to send a massive insult to fans of the original's lore is nothing short of incredibly ignorant.
    And unfortunately that's not an expression contained just within it's disappointing story.
    The level design in the later levels distances itself from the original 'Run in, Get out' standard Hotline Miami had set and is driven towards a    To have a sequel where the developer's intention is to send a massive insult to fans of the original's lore is nothing short of incredibly ignorant.
    And unfortunately that's not an expression contained just within it's disappointing story.

    The level design in the later levels distances itself from the original 'Run in, Get out' standard Hotline Miami had set and is driven towards a typical, un-original top-down shooter. All strategy and melee combat becomes completely redundant as the game starts throwing all of it's enemies at you at the one time, the placement in enemies and the level design in general has lost it's quality during the transition of games. The game becomes 'challenging hard' to just downright ****

    The story starts very promising til you discover it's entire narrative is based on explaining the events of Hotline Miami 1, it would've been definitely preferred if the ambigious mystery of the first game was left untouched. The ending serves itself as the biggest insult to fans of the original. A concept which the developers addmitedly enforced into the development of their game.

    The soundtrack and visual aesthetic is more richer than ever, which conflicts with the absolute deteriation of the game itself. If you are indeed a fan of the original, do yourself a favour, wait for The Level Designer and create your own narrative and levels, because the one made for you is nothing short of disappoiting.    … Expand
  41. YungDizuck
    Mar 11, 2015
    9
    Alright, folks. Let's get real for a second. HM2 is buggy, ratchets up the difficulty to somewhat artificial levels, is all over the place from a narrative perspective, some of the characters simply feel like filler, not being able to always choose your mask is annoying, and window kills are EVERYWHERE! ...and despite all of which I just described, I **** love it. So let's dig in.Alright, folks. Let's get real for a second. HM2 is buggy, ratchets up the difficulty to somewhat artificial levels, is all over the place from a narrative perspective, some of the characters simply feel like filler, not being able to always choose your mask is annoying, and window kills are EVERYWHERE! ...and despite all of which I just described, I **** love it. So let's dig in.

    Dennaton Games obviously realized that the sequel to one of the most lauded indie gems ever, would need to be bigger, better and even more over the top in regards to how you approach it. Some of it they succeeded at. Some of it sort of killed the frenetic pacing. That said, expanding the scope of the game was the right approach, and the split perspectives this time around, offers players with a variety of new faces with their own bits and pieces of what is looming in the background of the HM2 world.

    You have The Fans. A group of kids who were inspired by Jacket to go on their own killing sprees, and each one has a unique mechanic. Corey has a diveroll. Mark is a beast with machineguns. Tony destroys people with his fists. Alex and Ash are actually two characters in one, with one wielding a chainsaw, while the other backs her up with a gun. Their missions for me, were probably some of the best in the game, hands down.

    You have Jake. A fat redneck, following in Jacket's footsteps. Jake can throw anything and it's lethal.

    You have Evan, a writer who is desperately attempting to finish a novel about the events in Hotline Miami. You have to literally force him to kill, and he won't use guns, instead, he disables them when picked up.

    You have Pardo, a detective with a dark secret, chasing a serial killer.

    There's others, but I don't want to spoil it further for anyone simply wanting to know if the game is worth purchasing it or not. I'll summarize for you. This game is both frustrating and rewarding, infuriating and entertaining, has a killer soundtrack and offers an unforgettable experience. Once the level creator is released, and the bugs are fixed (already under way) the game will be a worthy successor and sequel to the original. It's completely worth purchasing and I recommend it to anyone seeking a rewarding challenge wholeheartedly!    … Expand
  42. J4MESOX4D
    Mar 11, 2015
    8
    Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is a highly welcome sequel to the fantastic original with a vastly more detailed story, a selection of playable characters and deeply challenging missions. The game is once again complimented with a sublime soundtrack that really adds to the powerful atmosphere. Unfortunately, the game also suffers from some horrific mission design that render many levelsHotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is a highly welcome sequel to the fantastic original with a vastly more detailed story, a selection of playable characters and deeply challenging missions. The game is once again complimented with a sublime soundtrack that really adds to the powerful atmosphere. Unfortunately, the game also suffers from some horrific mission design that render many levels infuriating and unfair. If you can overlook this; it's a fanastic experience but even die-hard fans may be left disappointed at its surprising flaws.

    Players will notice very early on that each mission is substantially bigger and more populated than the ones seen in Hotline Miami. In theory. this should be a good aspect that adds to the overall challenge but more often than not; you will struggle to spot, track and shoot enemies at distance as you can't even see them. Even with the camera stretched with the shift key to the maximum; some areas of maps you simply wont be able to view which enables you to be killed out of the blue even though you wont see who shot you or where they were. You may need to play a mission 20+ times you to assess where everyone is and even then; you'll need luck more than skill to succeed at times.

    To add insult to injury; many missions now contain windows in all directions and considering the sizes and openess of some levels; you can only go in set directions which makes some feel very linear and repetitive. Not being able to see large parts of the map also leaves your options limited in how you approach them.

    Despite the dismay regarding the key flaws; I still recommend this game to fans. It is much harder for all the wrong reasons but if you can adjust and learn the levels through endless retires; you'll be hooked once again. The engrossing story, the terrific cast of characters and the music really improve on the original. The achievements also add to the longevity and when the level editor arrives; players will be able to show the devs how it should have been done!    … Expand
  43. BEELZEBUB4
    Mar 11, 2015
    10
    Harder, Better, Prettier. The story is well-built, new gameplay features are fun, new levels are challenging, new music is awesome, ear drilling and relevant at the same time. Hotline Miami just got bigger and heavier, and I am very happy to say that.
    P.S.
    -1 point because of buggy gameplay as Alex and Ash. Probably will be fixed sometime soon.
  44. CorruptPersona
    Mar 11, 2015
    9
    More blood, more gore, more chaos, where an you go wrong? The combat is fast and challenging, and certainly not for the short of temper, people with slow reflexes and weak stomachs. Additionally the soundtrack is amazing as expected!

    Amazing game!
  45. UnbendingBoon
    Mar 11, 2015
    9
    The game verry good is fast and in tens. you must also tink fast becus oterwis you die. the story much sad and i cri evritim. buy this game nowsssssss
  46. Ceno
    Mar 10, 2015
    6
    Level design is absolutely abysmal. Gone are the days of Hotline Miami in which you can blitz through a level punching and beating everything in your way; say hello to dogs galore and enemies that can't be killed with melee (i.e., Thugs); better yet, enjoy the various enemies that can ONLY be killed my melee.

    The tempo of combat is mediocre at best, nowhere close to how fast-paced the    Level design is absolutely abysmal. Gone are the days of Hotline Miami in which you can blitz through a level punching and beating everything in your way; say hello to dogs galore and enemies that can't be killed with melee (i.e., Thugs); better yet, enjoy the various enemies that can ONLY be killed my melee.

    The tempo of combat is mediocre at best, nowhere close to how fast-paced the first title was. The story is also pretty terrible, there's not a single likable character, and your options for completing missions/chapters/scenes are extraordinarily limited; even if the game seems to offer you several routes for completion, there's really only one or two that are viable, and even they are fairly time consuming and RNG-prone.

    All in all, not a fantastic experience. Buy the first Hotline Miami rather than Wrong Number.

    Soundtrack is pretty good though; 49 tracks in the base game, 6 more in the Remix EP for the special edition.    … Expand
  47. Cattington
    Mar 10, 2015
    3
    The level design of this game is so bad, it makes the deserved success of the first game seem like an accident. Instead of having a frantic fast paced feel, where you improvise your way through levels, you get a sluggish game where you find yourself constantly expecting yourself to get shot by someone off screen. The camera is tight and narrow, and even using the awkward hold-shift-to-lookThe level design of this game is so bad, it makes the deserved success of the first game seem like an accident. Instead of having a frantic fast paced feel, where you improvise your way through levels, you get a sluggish game where you find yourself constantly expecting yourself to get shot by someone off screen. The camera is tight and narrow, and even using the awkward hold-shift-to-look function, enemies will still shoot you from off screen. It takes agonizing memorization of randomized enemies to make progress through some levels. Utterly disappointing.… Expand
  48. neopoya
    Mar 10, 2015
    10
    I love the first game as one of my favourites, and i loved this one too. But i have to say it really changed more in a way some don't realize. Now it has a story, in fact its story is a mix of many different stories.

    The music changed in most of the levels trying to create atmosphere. I really like the soundtrack, but the one in the first game focused more in pumping you, which    I love the first game as one of my favourites, and i loved this one too. But i have to say it really changed more in a way some don't realize. Now it has a story, in fact its story is a mix of many different stories.

    The music changed in most of the levels trying to create atmosphere. I really like the soundtrack, but the one in the first game focused more in pumping you, which enhanced the psychodelic atmosphere of the game. Now it feels like a real story. And i still like more the way it was in the first game. But yeah, i loved it too overall and is perfect, just my opinion here.

    Its longer, its harder, it has more posibilities, more characters, level editor, enhanced graphics? not sure if i should say it like this since the art style of the game is not about graphics... but its arts got really much more beautiful and there are many new effects and details which i found totally awesome and kickass.

    Maybe its downside (again) would be its AI... i'd love this to be improved... but oh well, nothing is perfect and never will be.

    For me, 2 of my all time favourite games. And still i know this is the kind of game you love or you hate when you first try it,

    Don't be an ass like i was, and many idiots are being for hating the game before trying it just because ""it looks like **** because, oh boy, it doesn't by any means.    … Expand
  49. Kondiash
    Mar 10, 2015
    8
    'Fast pace' gameplay from the first one maybe has gone, but great atmosphere is still there. Wrong Number is a great sequel, we've got more interesting areas, incredible soundtrack, confusing story. But sometimes devs decide to put windows everywhere and without using guns it is impossible to pass level. Swinging around the corner isn't as fun as punching everybody (like 3 yrs ago)
  50. leaveit
    Mar 10, 2015
    5
    I'll keep it short. I like the first game better. This one's levels are not designed in a way commensurate with the gameplay mechanics: rooms much larger than your field of view, windows everywhere, every other enemy is a gimmick-kill enemy (like fat men/dogs of the first), and there are guns everywhere. The whole game is like playing paintball where everyone is blindfolded. The story isI'll keep it short. I like the first game better. This one's levels are not designed in a way commensurate with the gameplay mechanics: rooms much larger than your field of view, windows everywhere, every other enemy is a gimmick-kill enemy (like fat men/dogs of the first), and there are guns everywhere. The whole game is like playing paintball where everyone is blindfolded. The story is not interesting and the music is not quite as good as the first. The AI gets hung up on more things like doorways and itself. Buy the first game; if you like it, buy this one on sale but don't expect anything. If you don't like it, don't even think about touching this one. To make matters worse, the level editor (arguably the most crucial new feature, seeing as how terrible the official levels are) did not ship with the game. Sorry guys.… Expand
  51. Hardycore
    Mar 10, 2015
    5
    I'm not all that impressed. The game doesn't feel like a part 2. It feels as if you're still playing the original game. Things look the same, feel the same, work the same and in general, most things are the same. The few changes the game has, aren't for the better. It seems as if the AI is even worse this game and, to be honest: It already was the worst thing of the game in the original.I'm not all that impressed. The game doesn't feel like a part 2. It feels as if you're still playing the original game. Things look the same, feel the same, work the same and in general, most things are the same. The few changes the game has, aren't for the better. It seems as if the AI is even worse this game and, to be honest: It already was the worst thing of the game in the original.

    Sometimes you can sneak up on opponents, without them even having the slightest possiblity of knowing; yet, they turn around and shoot you before you can even blink. On the other hand, it can also happen you shoot at them with a shotgun. Pieces of glass are flying through the air and yet they have no clue there is someone there. It was already much like this in the original but it feels as if this game does even worse.

    The soundtrack didn't get me pumped like the original did. Now, this is of course different for everyone but in my opinion, it isn't as good as the original was.

    The storyline... is... not that interesting either. Of course, the previous game had no real storyline. The whole idea was to show people games can be great without a good storyline. Yet, I was intrigued. The dark atmosphere; the feeling of someone losing their mind; it worked. Even though it didn't really make sense... it felt as if it did.

    This game, everything constantly changed. Then you were this guy, then you were this guy. The story is original, but... It just wasn't interesting to me,

    The only thing I really like about this game is it's difficulty. The first few levels are already harder than most of the levels in the original game. This definitely is nice, although it also has a lot to do with the terrible AI.

    I can't help but feel disappointed. A little scammed, even, because I think the original is actually better and that one was for free. Of course the game is still fun. The original was great, so it's not all that bad it's more of the same, but with a previous game like that, I expected more of this.    … Expand
  52. Riskyreview
    Mar 10, 2015
    10
    Even better then the first is the only way to describe this game!
    The gameplay is better the story is much more engaging then the first and the music is absolutely astonishing!
    Buy it and buy it now you even get a mask for Payday 2 if you're into that!
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Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 67 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 67
  3. Negative: 4 out of 67
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    May 13, 2015
    84
    Dark, violent, thought-provoking and powerful. Although satisfying, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is not the masterpiece its predecessor was. [Apr 2015]
  2. Gaming Age
    May 8, 2015
    42
    Dennation had a hit. It was dumb, it was violent, it was addictive. What it wasn’t, was mean. It wasn’t punishing. It wasn’t gross. By trying to go further, and bigger, and better, Dennation spoiled a winning recipe
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  3. Games Master UK
    May 6, 2015
    83
    '80s style and sociopathic stealth return in the bitingly hard, brilliant-but-unfocused sequel. [May 2015, p.56]
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