By Chloe Campbell
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is the follow up to Dennaton Games’ 2012 indie game Hotline Miami. Available on PC, Playstation 3, Playstation 4, and PS Vita, Hotline Miami 2 delves deeper into the story established in the first game, and features more levels, characters, and gameplay than its predecessor. The gameplay remains that of a top-down shooter, and carries on the same unique, retro art style of the first installment of the series.
The story of Hotline Miami 2, unlike its prequel, features a variety of playable characters, each of which have their own storyline. These stories all intertwine with each other, as well as with that of the previous game. The story of Hotline Miami 2 mainly takes place in the 90s, with flashbacks to the 80s. Each playable character follows their own story, however they are all connected in one way or another. The plot can be difficult to grasp as you jump between different characters and times, though the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place as the game goes on.
Hotline Miami 2 carries on with similar gameplay to the first game, with fast-paced action and a high level of violence. Each level requires the player to enter the area and kill every enemy there in order to proceed. It is a game in which the player can not rely on health packs or any other method of healing; a single bullet is enough to kill the player, forcing them to respawn from the entrance and try again. The player, in turn, can massacre their foes using only one bullet, or swift movement of a blade, keeping the gameplay brisk and stimulating, though at times it can build frustration on particularly difficult levels.
Unlike the first game, Hotline Miami 2 offers a variety of playable characters, including a masked gang of copycat murderers, aiming to replicate the killings of Jacket, the protagonist of the first installment of the series. These gang members each have their own individual abilities such as dual-wielding machine guns and fists that can kill an enemy with a single blow. Other playable characters include that of a special forces lieutenant in a warzone, a Russian mafia boss and his henchman, a journalist documenting the murders of the first game, and a detective investigating these murders.
The oustanding techno soundtrack is one of the most captivating aspects of the game. With synth tunes from artists such as Carpenter Brut and Preturbator, Hotline Miami 2 delves the player into a dark world with a tense atmosphere. The tracks played in each stage fits nicely with the 80s/90s theme carried on throughout the game, and perfectly complement the quick pace of the gameplay. The soundtrack adds to the eeriness and tension of certain scenes in the game, and is a major factor of game's unique style.
Yet another endearing trait of the Hotline Miami franchise is the distinctive retro art style. The vibrant, saturated colours used in the level design and title screens are highly appealing, creating vibes similar to that of an 80s video game arcade. The stylistic, flamboyant use of colour contributes greatly to the game’s aesthetic and allows for stunning visuals in each level. Even the pause menu adds to the atmosphere with its VHS effect. Character design is similar tothat of the first game.
Character’s faces appear in the dialogue box as they speak, and unmasked characters have animations for talking. Many characters wear masks of different animals, such as swans or bears, along with their regular clothing. Those who do not wear masks have somewhat distorted faces, each of which are unique and fitting for the characters’ personalities. The game maintains a pixelated art style throughout, which effectively adds to its arcade-like feeling.
Overall, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is a stunning game. It is thoroughly enjoyable with its stimulating gameplay and intriguing storyline, as well as being aesthetically pleasing with its distinctive art style and thumping techno soundtrack the player can enjoy throughout. It is a step up from the first game as it includes a bigger soundtrack, wider range of characters, more fleshed-out story, and a variety of different stages. The combination of its visuals, soundtrack, gameplay and storyline make Hotline Miami 2 a work of art in its own right, as well as an exceptionally memorable game.
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is the follow up to Dennaton Games’ 2012 indie game Hotline Miami. Available on PC, Playstation 3, Playstation 4, and PS Vita, Hotline Miami 2 delves deeper into the story established in the first game, and features more levels, characters, and gameplay than its predecessor. The gameplay remains that of a top-down shooter, and carries on the same unique, retro art style of the first installment of the series.
The story of Hotline Miami 2, unlike its prequel, features a variety of playable characters, each of which have their own storyline. These stories all intertwine with each other, as well as with that of the previous game. The story of Hotline Miami 2 mainly takes place in the 90s, with flashbacks to the 80s. Each playable character follows their own story, however they are all connected in one way or another. The plot can be difficult to grasp as you jump between different characters and times, though the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place as the game goes on.
Hotline Miami 2 carries on with similar gameplay to the first game, with fast-paced action and a high level of violence. Each level requires the player to enter the area and kill every enemy there in order to proceed. It is a game in which the player can not rely on health packs or any other method of healing; a single bullet is enough to kill the player, forcing them to respawn from the entrance and try again. The player, in turn, can massacre their foes using only one bullet, or swift movement of a blade, keeping the gameplay brisk and stimulating, though at times it can build frustration on particularly difficult levels.
Unlike the first game, Hotline Miami 2 offers a variety of playable characters, including a masked gang of copycat murderers, aiming to replicate the killings of Jacket, the protagonist of the first installment of the series. These gang members each have their own individual abilities such as dual-wielding machine guns and fists that can kill an enemy with a single blow. Other playable characters include that of a special forces lieutenant in a warzone, a Russian mafia boss and his henchman, a journalist documenting the murders of the first game, and a detective investigating these murders.
The oustanding techno soundtrack is one of the most captivating aspects of the game. With synth tunes from artists such as Carpenter Brut and Preturbator, Hotline Miami 2 delves the player into a dark world with a tense atmosphere. The tracks played in each stage fits nicely with the 80s/90s theme carried on throughout the game, and perfectly complement the quick pace of the gameplay. The soundtrack adds to the eeriness and tension of certain scenes in the game, and is a major factor of game's unique style.
Yet another endearing trait of the Hotline Miami franchise is the distinctive retro art style. The vibrant, saturated colours used in the level design and title screens are highly appealing, creating vibes similar to that of an 80s video game arcade. The stylistic, flamboyant use of colour contributes greatly to the game’s aesthetic and allows for stunning visuals in each level. Even the pause menu adds to the atmosphere with its VHS effect. Character design is similar tothat of the first game.
Character’s faces appear in the dialogue box as they speak, and unmasked characters have animations for talking. Many characters wear masks of different animals, such as swans or bears, along with their regular clothing. Those who do not wear masks have somewhat distorted faces, each of which are unique and fitting for the characters’ personalities. The game maintains a pixelated art style throughout, which effectively adds to its arcade-like feeling.
Overall, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is a stunning game. It is thoroughly enjoyable with its stimulating gameplay and intriguing storyline, as well as being aesthetically pleasing with its distinctive art style and thumping techno soundtrack the player can enjoy throughout. It is a step up from the first game as it includes a bigger soundtrack, wider range of characters, more fleshed-out story, and a variety of different stages. The combination of its visuals, soundtrack, gameplay and storyline make Hotline Miami 2 a work of art in its own right, as well as an exceptionally memorable game.
