Hotline Miami

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1873 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,580 out of 1873
  2. Mixed: 208 out of 1873
  3. Negative: 85 out of 1873

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  1. eefeef
    Aug 31, 2023
    7
    Hotline Miami is a violent game with a very simple gameplay. Add to that some catchy music and a well thought out map design and you have a fun game.
  2. CodaHensley
    Dec 31, 2022
    7
    Sometimes I worry that my tastes in games are a little too typical, but every now and then I find myself staring down the barrel of a game that's critically adored, and I just can't gather enough enthusiasm to reach that level of appreciation. Hotline Miami is a game that does just that. This is a really tight and pulse pounding game, but ultimately, I don't really understand the hype theSometimes I worry that my tastes in games are a little too typical, but every now and then I find myself staring down the barrel of a game that's critically adored, and I just can't gather enough enthusiasm to reach that level of appreciation. Hotline Miami is a game that does just that. This is a really tight and pulse pounding game, but ultimately, I don't really understand the hype the title garnered. To me, this is a title that could have easily been a free flash game ten years ago, I don't really understand the ways this has grabbed people.… Expand
  3. hileger
    Oct 15, 2022
    6
    простенкий инди мусор на вечер пойдет но точно уж не ихра хода нахуй высрали вторую часть непонятно
  4. Menaga
    Sep 1, 2022
    7
    Recommended
    3.9 hrs at review time
    Gameplay 8/10
    Music and sound 8/10
    Screenplay 5/10
    Technical 4/10
  5. Bodislav
    Jul 27, 2022
    6
    Sigma .
  6. vova22379
    Jan 26, 2022
    7
    ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀
  7. Prometheus1241
    Oct 7, 2021
    7
    Quiet cool, but is not that great when Katana ZERO exists. Nevertheless, it is quite short and cheap, so recommended.
  8. IMR707
    May 23, 2021
    7
    The music and great and the gameplay is quite fun, until you finished the final chapter. After that, it was a really hard post-game, and it made me rage quit instead. I had fun in the main story though.
  9. FirstSpawn
    May 4, 2021
    7
    Прошёл чисто кампанию, без доп уровней. Игра своеобразная конечно же, и довольно крутая, но на мой взгляд не допиленная до 100%.
  10. facelessllama
    Apr 1, 2021
    6
    интересная задумка за скромный бюджет, еще один представитель пиксельного нашествия последних лет . любителям подобного жанра должно понравиться
  11. BulgarianCritic
    Feb 22, 2021
    7
    The concept for the game was pretty good and the game play was hard and mostly fair, I say mostly because sometimes the controls didn't function that well and when throwing objects they went into a slightly different direction which in most cases resulted in you being dead. The story starts surprisingly well and kept you guessing for what the reason is for you to kill people and who givesThe concept for the game was pretty good and the game play was hard and mostly fair, I say mostly because sometimes the controls didn't function that well and when throwing objects they went into a slightly different direction which in most cases resulted in you being dead. The story starts surprisingly well and kept you guessing for what the reason is for you to kill people and who gives you these phone calls , but unfortunately the ending was a pretty generic and a boring ''F You'' which was disappointing for me personally. The soundtrack and the trippy retro visuals were a big plus for me and the bloodyness of the kills was also nicely done 7/10,… Expand
  12. GreenPufferFish
    Jan 12, 2021
    7
    Fun birds eye view shooting game i compelted it in around 6-7 hours it very simple nothing complicated only negative is the enemies that can only be killed with guns :/ also its good how masks are not just cosmetics but grant a competitive advantage.
  13. Jackermy
    Sep 22, 2020
    6
    So, to be honest. I really don't know why this game got so high scores. The storyline is strange and not obvious, in some games - it is very good, but here you don't understand anything. The gameplay is monotonous but funny and also very hard because everyone dies from one bullet or hit. Also, I like the style of this game and music. Characters are unmemorable and I repeat - we don'tSo, to be honest. I really don't know why this game got so high scores. The storyline is strange and not obvious, in some games - it is very good, but here you don't understand anything. The gameplay is monotonous but funny and also very hard because everyone dies from one bullet or hit. Also, I like the style of this game and music. Characters are unmemorable and I repeat - we don't understand what is happening in this game.
    So, if you want to chill after a hard day - you can play Hotline:Miami    … Expand
  14. gameking
    Jul 9, 2020
    7
    I like this game. It is very good for empty times. But sometimes this game has too much repeats. Sometimes it is just can be hard.
  15. Kotofon
    May 9, 2020
    7
    Клёво.
    Разнообразие оружия - тут вам и бейсбольная бита, и кирпич, и катана, огнемёт, пулемёт, гранаты, и конечно же бензопила! вообщем все для зрелищной мясорубки.
    Маски - они тут играют важную роль. В зависимости от надетой маски, которую выбираешь перед началом уровня, изменяется какой-то аспект геймплея. Например, Тигр - летальные кулаки, Лошадь - убиваешь дверью, если за ней    Клёво.
    Разнообразие оружия - тут вам и бейсбольная бита, и кирпич, и катана, огнемёт, пулемёт, гранаты, и конечно же бензопила! вообщем все для зрелищной мясорубки.
    Маски - они тут играют важную роль. В зависимости от надетой маски, которую выбираешь перед началом уровня, изменяется какой-то аспект геймплея. Например, Тигр - летальные кулаки, Лошадь - убиваешь дверью, если за ней находится враг, Пантера - делает вас быстрее и т.д. Есть даже маска, которая переводит все диалоги на французский.
    Сюжет - ну такой простенький, да он тут особо и не нужен, так для галочки.
    Битвы с боссами, довольно сложные, как и вся игра впринципе.
    Если вам нравится стилистика 80-ых, то сие творение для вас.    … Expand
  16. marpolaris
    Apr 23, 2020
    7
    Adictivo gráficamente perfecto muy creativo cyberpunk pero muy difícil hay que tener buenos reflejos, en momentos es frustrarte pero es muy adictivo te obliga a ser mejor cada juego logra el poderlo re jugar y siempre sacarle provecho
  17. Spoonman
    May 9, 2019
    7
    I have to say, I haven't seen so many 10 ratings on a game since The Last of Us on the PS3!
    Yet there are so many negative reviews. I don't get it.
    So here's the deal.... We have a top down shooter with NES style graphics, a high level of blood, gore, violence, and even some brief nudity (8-bit style!), and a stylized soundtrack of some low end "wub wub"... So what's not to love?!?    I have to say, I haven't seen so many 10 ratings on a game since The Last of Us on the PS3!
    Yet there are so many negative reviews. I don't get it.

    So here's the deal.... We have a top down shooter with NES style graphics, a high level of blood, gore, violence, and even some brief nudity (8-bit style!), and a stylized soundtrack of some low end "wub wub"... So what's not to love?!?

    Well, I have to admit I was really enjoying the first few levels. I was dying pretty often at first, but that's part of the learning experience and there is no penalty or 3 lives per game business.

    What I didn't like is the difficulty spike around level 5. It goes from only a couple enemies having weapons to EVERY enemy have fully automatic guns along with rabid dogs darting at you.
    So basically it plays like this... If a gun toting enemy sees you YOU ARE DEAD!

    It quickly becomes a game of "Don't throw the (with apologies to Q•bert) controller at the TV!
    It's a bit like being sniped by someone you can't see over and over again.

    Very frustrating IMO and I grew up playing, and in most cases, beating some of the harder classics such as Ninja Gaiden 1-3, Ghosts 'N Goblins, & Battletoads.

    Had they oven the player a fraction of a second to see and respond to an enemy it would have helped. O even a lesser difficulty option, but no, it plays like its on Maniac mode all the time.

    Perhaps the developer can add a slightly easier difficulty via an update. I've seen this happen before. I would definitely jump back in and play if they evened up the odds a bit.    … Expand
  18. crimsondoor
    Apr 23, 2019
    7
    Story is non-existent, graphics and art style are ok if they are your cup of tea. Not mine though. I have no interest in the 80s-esque purple palette, 8-bit look and "vaporwave" music (ugh I freaking hate this term). The game is basically an endless trial-and-error process... So after the 100th time you finally cleared the stage but you would feel "relief", not "satisfaction", and youStory is non-existent, graphics and art style are ok if they are your cup of tea. Not mine though. I have no interest in the 80s-esque purple palette, 8-bit look and "vaporwave" music (ugh I freaking hate this term). The game is basically an endless trial-and-error process... So after the 100th time you finally cleared the stage but you would feel "relief", not "satisfaction", and you would think to yourself "why did I spend so much time on this damn thing..."

    There are some notable control issues as well. For example you often get killed by enemies outside the screen. Perhaps this is intended by the developers but I don't understand what the point is. I mean, the enemies can see you so it makes no sense you can't see them. The worst is the awkward aiming/rotation issue - you can't melee enemies if they are close to you. In fact I've died many times from this way. On another note, It's very easy to miss with the guns and throw weapons because of the aforementioned aiming issue and the tininess of the projectile path (without exaggeration it's just a thin line), but enemies have 100% accuracy and will kill you with one bullet so it's pretty unfair. Weapons are hard to pick up and they sometimes get stuck under walls and furnitures... And these are just the few of them.

    If you are a masochist, there are other interesting and difficult games that actually give you satisfaction when you complete them so I find no point playing this game.    … Expand
  19. Caerleon
    Dec 26, 2018
    7
    Don't even try to understand the plot. Just enjoy the game.

    It's just some unimaginable dance of death. They successfully conveyed the atmosphere of '80s movies and' 90s. Perfect music perfectly adds to the entourage of the madness. Dozens of options for killing enemies. Think, plan, fight your way through crowds of enemies.
  20. angelss_13
    May 7, 2017
    7
    Muy buen videojuego. Trepidante y adictivo. La banda sonora es excelente. Además, su trama onírica y delirante es un concepto bastante bueno e interesante, que incita a reflexionar más allá de lo que es común ver en los videojuegos.
  21. youlouz
    Jul 4, 2016
    5
    SO much potential but a simply bad game.

    PROS
    -variety of weapons
    -interesting theming

    CONS
    -Extremely frustrating .
  22. McHawk
    Oct 14, 2015
    5
    Useless overrated game with poor graphics, great soundtrack add tedious gameplay. On the other hand, if you have fun killing superdumb enemies and dying 10000 times to get past a level, buy it.
  23. Contemptible
    Mar 28, 2015
    5
    I love the soundtrack but that's about it. The combat was incredibly repetitive and frustrating. Find something else to waste money on amongst the sea of indie games.
  24. deweee
    Mar 14, 2015
    5
    Firstly, the game is HARD. But not unbeatable random like FTL, but it is hard, especially boss fights but this is expected from a retro game. If you dedicate yourself, you can learn pretty quickly and the game will become much much easier and that's where the real problem is. Repetition is the biggest problem of the game. Also it should have explained mask and weapon attributes, it didn't.Firstly, the game is HARD. But not unbeatable random like FTL, but it is hard, especially boss fights but this is expected from a retro game. If you dedicate yourself, you can learn pretty quickly and the game will become much much easier and that's where the real problem is. Repetition is the biggest problem of the game. Also it should have explained mask and weapon attributes, it didn't. I've learned that masks had attributes from Youtube. There are also bugs where weapon don't attract attention, hits don't register and etc.

    OST is awesome, pixelart is awesome. But this is not a 10$ game in 2015. If it's 1-2$ you can buy and try it, you may like it. I quit after chapter 7's boss fight and I have no intention to return. Some levels really take up your time (30 mins on more in a single level, I've seen really good players die 100 times in a row). There are many great indie games out there. Don't waste any more than couple bucks to this game. Overall, watch the videos. If you like it, buy: But only if it is very very cheap. Otherwise, stay away and spend your 10 $ on something else    … Expand
  25. JayLightBar
    Feb 9, 2015
    7
    Hard. This game is hard. Visuals are nice, old retro style to them. Plays very arcade like, and completely balls to the walls hard. I didn't enjoy the game a whole lot. Mostly because I'm not a fan for the Hard is the selling point type of games. But do I see why this is considered a good game? Yes of course.
  26. Masterhummel
    Oct 2, 2014
    6
    Theme, art direction and adio are very well done and i like them. Sadly, the controls are horrible. Absolutly dreadful. Most of the time, deads are caused by the controls being unresponsive or the painsickingly bad mouse aiming.
  27. Jwv
    Jan 9, 2014
    7
    Hotline Miami's simplistic graphics and concept feels refreshing in a time where a lot of releases focus on complex game mechanics and life-like graphics. Simple but one of the most addictive games I ever played. I also liked the myriad of approaches to each level, especially with the masks, that makes for a high replay factor. A confusing and open storyline, but that just let's you focusHotline Miami's simplistic graphics and concept feels refreshing in a time where a lot of releases focus on complex game mechanics and life-like graphics. Simple but one of the most addictive games I ever played. I also liked the myriad of approaches to each level, especially with the masks, that makes for a high replay factor. A confusing and open storyline, but that just let's you focus on the nutty gameplay more. Utterly fun.… Expand
  28. tech-noir
    Sep 5, 2013
    7
    Despite its minor technical issues regarding the engine, bugs, and glitches, the game manages to impress on all fronts. The action is engaging and loads of fun even when it gets slightly frustrating. The music is great and compliments the atmosphere perfectly. The various masks are also a nice addition.
  29. Orctownorc
    Aug 24, 2013
    5
    A really silly game. Which also has bad graphics. Which also has really warped humor. Which is also kind of mediocre and very much 1987 in terms of design. Give this a miss probably unless you really like this style.

    THE GROT REVIEW CRITERIA: After a long time writing reviews like an anus, think its time to set a few bad habits straight: Stop insulting designers. Show some respect for    A really silly game. Which also has bad graphics. Which also has really warped humor. Which is also kind of mediocre and very much 1987 in terms of design. Give this a miss probably unless you really like this style.

    THE GROT REVIEW CRITERIA: After a long time writing reviews like an anus, think its time to set a few bad habits straight: Stop insulting designers. Show some respect for the design process and getting games in circulation. Hence (1) No Red scores. (2) Game scores as follows: Bad Game 5/10. Poor Game 6/10. Mediocre Game: 7/10. Good Game 8/10. Great game 9/10. Stella Game 10/10. To get 10/10 it must be a game that can be (theoretically) play-able for 1000+ hours. Not only great but near endless fun. Games may be bad or poor but making them should earn respect. Thus even the worst POS will still be a 5/10. 0/10 no longer exists in my vocabulary. Yellow is the new red. For the sake of accountability: you can reply if needed: Orctowngrot: Tim Rawlins: timtimjp@yahoo.com    … Expand
  30. Champigne
    Aug 19, 2013
    7
    Awesome game, amazing soundtrack. Fast paced, very challenging, will have you trying to beat the same level 20 times.

    Only one complaint. It crashes, a lot. I'm on Windows 8 and certain levels crash almost every time. Seems like when too much is going on, the game will crash. This has made it very hard for me to get through the game.
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Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best PC Game of 2012
23
#23 Most Discussed PC Game of 2012
24
#24 Most Shared PC Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 51
  3. Negative: 1 out of 51
  1. PC Master (Greece)
    Feb 6, 2013
    87
    From the get-go, Miami’s presentation has a unique style, with vivid colors, generous amounts of post-process filtering and a stunning soundtrack (you will just let the game play on, only to hear the tracks). But at the same time, all notions of continuous fast-paced action gameplay disappear. Hotline Miami is essentially a top-down stealth game, that rewards the player with imaginative (and quite violent) kill animations. [January 2013]
  2. Games Master UK
    Dec 18, 2012
    88
    A stylish slice of retro carnage. This is the bloodiest, least forgiving game of the year. [Jan 2013, p.85]
  3. Hyper Magazine
    Dec 17, 2012
    90
    A drug-induced coma of violence, strategy, death and rebirth. [Jan 2013, p.67]
See all critic reviews »