Hotline Miami Collection
- October 10, 2017
- Dennaton Games
When I first played Hotline Miami, I was horrible at it.
Hotline Miami Collection contains both legendary games in the neon-soaked, brutally-challenging Hotline Miami series from Dennaton Games.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The Hotline Miami Collection offers addictive and rewarding gameplay, making it highly replayable.
- The pixel art visuals and synthwave soundtrack have aged incredibly well, enhancing the overall experience.
- The games run smoothly on the Switch, making it an ideal platform for both new and returning players.
- The collection is uneven, with the sequel being flawed and feeling more like an expansion than a proper sequel.
- There is a lack of a level editor, which disappoints some players who enjoyed that feature in other games.
- Some levels in the sequel are painstakingly difficult, leading to frustrating backtracking.
- music9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the Hotline Miami series is consistently praised for its stellar synthwave and EDM soundtracks, which enhance the fast-paced, brutal gameplay and create an engaging atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the addictive and rewarding nature of the music, noting that it feels tailor-made for the game's aesthetic and contributes significantly to its replayability. Overall, the soundtracks are considered a standout feature, complementing the dynamic pixel art visuals and intense action.
“Anyone would be hard-pressed to find a more stellar selection of pre-existing music that almost seems like it was tailor-made for this duology.”
“The pixel art visuals and synthwave soundtrack have aged incredibly well – especially in the seven-year-old original – and while the lack of a map editor stings to this day, its brutal story missions are as engaging as they were the day they were released.”
“One thing that is consistent between both entries is the indelible soundtrack.”
“[EDM soundtrack, quality top-down stealth, sound and art design, 1980s gore, distinct stages].”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the Hotline Miami Collection is characterized by its satisfying difficulty, blending twin-stick mechanics with puzzle-solving elements, which enhances replayability. While the sequel maintains similar gameplay, it enriches the series with expanded lore and new characters. The standout soundtrack further elevates the overall experience.
“With satisfyingly difficult gameplay and a soundtrack that steals the show, the Hotline Miami Collection is a double feature that offers much replayability.”
“While the sequel is more of the same gameplay-wise, it expands the series lore and introduces new characters and concepts.”
“A bloody unique blend of twin-stick mechanics and puzzle solving.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics feature vibrant pixel art visuals that have aged well, complemented by a dynamic synthwave soundtrack. The 16-bit art style is praised for its creativity, and the game runs smoothly in handheld mode, despite some disappointment over the absence of a map editor.
“The pixel art visuals and synthwave soundtrack have aged incredibly well – especially in the seven-year-old original – and while the lack of a map editor stings to this day, its brutal story missions are as engaging as they were on the day they were released.”
“The visuals are dynamic and creative with the 16-bit art style, and the handheld mode runs smoothly.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The character models are poorly designed and look like they belong in a much older title.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, making exploration feel tedious.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its engaging and brutal missions, which have remained captivating over the years, despite the absence of a map editor. The combination of pixel art visuals and a synthwave soundtrack enhances the overall experience, contributing to the game's lasting appeal.
“The pixel art visuals and synthwave soundtrack have aged incredibly well – especially in the seven-year-old original – and while the lack of a map editor stings to this day, its brutal story missions are as engaging as they were on the day they were released.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its excellent port and affordable price, contributing to its high replayability, enhanced by an engaging soundtrack.
“Excellent port, the price is right, and it's highly replayable with killer tunes.”
Critic Reviews
Hotline Miami Collection Review
While time has somewhat diminished the freshness of Hotline Miami’s creative violence, both games still offer some of the most addictive and rewarding experiences you can play. Sure, the Nintendo Switch versions don’t bring anything particularly new to the table (even the touchscreen aspects were present on PS Vita), but if you’re looking to experience these games for the first time (or again) on a portable platform, this is the place to do it. The pixel art visuals and synthwave soundtrack have aged incredibly well – especially in the seven-year-old original – and while the lack of a map editor stings to this day, its brutal story missions are as engaging as they day they were released. Hotline Miami Collection still kills the old way.
80%Hotline Miami Collection Review
The Hotline Miami Collection is an uneven package. The first game is an undeniable indie classic, and the sequel - while extremely flawed and obnoxious - is still worth experiencing at least once, just to see how far and crazy Dennaton Games was willing to take it. One thing that is consistent between both entries is the indelible soundtrack. Anyone would be hard-pressed to find a more stellar selection of pre-existing music that almost seems like it was tailor made for this duology. The original Hotline Miami was that watershed indie game that changed things and influenced others, beginning the trend of '80s nostalgia that has become so popular lately. It is hard not to see why because, this makes the '80s seem so cool, and reminds everyone of simpler age when it was possible to be cool and corny at the same time. Wrong Number has its issues, and most people in the future might even forget it ever existed, but anyone with the guts to make it all the way to the end will never forget it.
70%Bringing violence and EDM to the Switch---Hotline Miami Collection review
With satisfyingly difficult gameplay and a soundtrack that steals the show, the Hotline Miami collection is a double feature that offers much replay-ability. While the sequel is more of the same gameplay wise, it expands the series lore and introduces new characters and concepts. The games run smooth on the Switch's hardware and the console's portability makes this the ideal way to play Hotline Miami.
85%
