Language is a funny thing. In any other context, a phone message outlining roster changes or clean-up duties would be perfectly innocent. In Hotline Miami, however, every call is ominous. Coded phone messages are the kick-off point for nearly every level, leading a nameless hitman to his job.
This top-down, 2D stealth/action game looks deceptively primitive; the garish colours and 8-bit graphics are functional. But despite its retro appearance, Hotline Miami has a clear style and identity: the story is twisted and unpredictable, and the game has a menacing atmosphere.
Hotline Miami reminded this gamer of punk rock: A lo-fi work with attitude to burn and an image to match. It's coated in 1980s colours – purples, pinks and lots of blood red. Sometimes the creepy synth soundtrack warbles like an old cassette and you could easily imagine it booming out of Ryan Gosling's car in Drive.
The gameplay is the main selling point. Viewed from above, you must infiltrate numerous buildings and take out all of the inhabitants. You’re heavily outnumbered, but you can thin out the ranks one room at a time and with whatever weapon you find, from uzis to saucepans. I also love how you can burst through doors to knock out enemies, or throw empty guns to briefly stun them.
Hotline Miami is rare game where you don't mind replaying moments again and again. The gameplay is tough but fair, and when you die you go back to the start of the mission in an instant. This room was too busy? Try another. Guns too loud? Use a bat. This trial and error gameplay is difficult, but it's so immensely playable and compelling that it doesn't matter. http://hotlinemiami.com
