Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 Hours or Less

The Bottom Line:

"Solid"

Hotline Miami is one of those interesting games that ends up being better than you anticipated, but worse than you hoped. Every once in a while, an indie game will shine with potential. This was one of those games.

The game itself is simple enough: destroy everything. Pools of blood and guts will spill the ground as you hack, shoot, pummel, and obliterate anyone within your grasp. The combat system works surprisingly well, and the AI's 'instant reaction' make battles intense. Planning is actually needed here, lest you take an instant shotgun round to the face.

The best aspect of Hotline Miami (and ironically at the same time, it's most wanting factor) is its story and setting. Starting from the beginning, you are thrown into a confusing mess. Floating animal heads talk to you and seemingly order you to perform assassinations. The whole thing is just so wonderfully bizarre. You keep playing because you want to see what's next around the corner. For the most part, due to the simple combat, and satisfying story/atmosphere, the game is a success.

It's interesting when a game falls victim to its own successes. In this case, because Hotline Miami's story is so intriguing, my expectations for it actually -exceeded- its ability. In short, the ending and ultimate conclusion, in my opinion, was a serious letdown. It wasn't terrible per se, but the game definitely had the potential to setup something big. The themes were made apparent, and some reveals were nice, but all in all, the ball was slightly dropped on this one.

Thus, I apparently gave this game a backhanded compliment. A good game in its own right; fun to play, and a bloodbath of a mess. Just don't expect Braid or The Path.