I'm sorry, I'm afraid you have the [Hotline Miami 2] Wrong Number

Thetheroo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqr0yUuSiTs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4SKGg7Z5ko

Do you like hurting other people? Are you ready to punch, stab, beat, shoot, bludgeon, maim, snap, break, and door your way through neon/blood soaked nightmares?



Then welcome to Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, the top-down fuck-em-up sequel to 2012's surprise hit/real GOTY. This game is out NOW and I am installing it AS I TYPE.

I AM VERY EXCITED

Darmak

It's installed but I am at work right now. Going to brutally kill some people when I get home though!

Thetheroo

There is some great Hotline Miami fanart out there as well.

Thetheroo

I just spent a good five minutes idling at the start screen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Qu_Fk23T4

So good

Raijin Quickfoot

Is this on a console yet?

Speed Racer

I'm about halfway through and I'm not liking it nearly as much as hm1 so far

The fact that you can't choose your character for most levels is a pretty huge bummer

Thetheroo

I really like the new characters, the Biker levels were my favorite in the original.

Alex and Ash are the best

Speed Racer

I like Alex and ash on paper

But ash is constantly glitching out and getting me killed

JMan711

I haven't played yet, but this is my favorite fan made thing for the game so far:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE3M4CLhZAM

UnbreakableVow

Raijin Quickfoot wrote: »

Is this on a console yet?

Yeah

The first game has been out on PS3/PS4/Vita for a while now, and 2 came out today

Raijin Quickfoot

I knew the first one was. I played through it on my Vita.

Bubby

Got up to Chapter 7. Game is fucking balls hard, seems harder than the first. I keep getting C-'s on every level, only a C+ once. Playing as Tony on the 6th level was madness and I felt so proud when I finished it.

BillyIdle

HM2 does feel a lot more challenging than the first, that's for sure. Digging the new characters and once I mapped the look button to my mouse it became easier for me to play. Loving it so far!

Thetheroo

I had to leave for a trip when I was almost done with Act 3, now I have to wait a whole week to finish the game.

I have a new favorite character, The Journalist.

Minor gameplay spoilers ahead

As soon as I realized that it was possible to not kill anyone using him I immediately started trying to do that for every level you play as him. I also really love how he doesn't pick up edged weapons and how he breaks down guns when he picks them up. The score boost doesn't hurt either.

So far I am enjoying this as a game more than the original but I enjoyed the atmosphere of the first game more.

PMAvers

Just got past scene 20...

Holy hell that prison break was intense. The inmates that do the dog-lunge can eat a massive slice of dick though.

Bubby

The last few chapters of Act 3 melted my brain. Fucking incredible and harder than anything in HM1. The story still hasn't really come together yet, though. On to Act 4.

Speed Racer

Bubby wrote: »

The story still hasn't really come together yet, though.

don't worry

it's not going to

Rear Admiral Choco

I would say one of the tracks that stuck with me is the one that plays on scene 13

in the first few seconds i'm like "what is this garbage" and then it grew on me really quickly

if i had to compare it to another song for that initial yuck factor and then subsequent stockholm syndrome it'd be Cibo Matto's Birthday Cake

tsplitter

how's the soundtrack? From the sounds of things that is the only thing about this game I would still want to get

AvalonGuard

tsplitter wrote: »

how's the soundtrack? From the sounds of things that is the only thing about this game I would still want to get

Bigger and better than the first. A huge range of different electronic styles while absolutely keeping to the Hotline Miami style. I'm not sure if the full thing is available anywhere else, but the DLC version on Steam is $15, which has 49 tracks, MP3 and FLAC versions, and is over three hours long.

Rear Admiral Choco

In general it's a great soundtrack

There's a couple tracks that are really excellent and a couple not so great but overall it holds up to the last game

The music in general sounds a bit more aggressive than the last game's did while still being very much alike

A few examples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svyCX2qHWXU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRXu-bR8RGs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFfybn_W8Ak

PMAvers

tsplitter wrote: »

how's the soundtrack? From the sounds of things that is the only thing about this game I would still want to get

I need to re-listen to the original, but I think I like 2's soundtrack better so far.

tsplitter

wow that Roller Mobster

AvalonGuard

As far as the game is concerned, I like it as much as the first but in different ways. HM1 was a very tight experience with room to room murder that was very much GOGOGO DONT STOP FASTER FASTER FASTER. You do that in HM2 and in many places you just get lit up instantly. This actually led to a couple of pacing issues and difficulty spikes midgame but the later stuff ended up being super smart and much better.

Gameplay spoiler;

I particularly liked the one scene which starts you with nothing, so you have to burst in the front door to knock the dude with the assault rifle out, pick it up, then unload on the four or five other people that start in the room with you.

As far as storyline goes;

While I can't make total sense of it all, what a fucking ride. The impermanence of death was a mindfuck in the most fun way.

And that ending sequence was insane! Giant tiger man, zebra shadow demon, topped with a two headed flame throwing swan hydra thing? So completely out of left field yet totally fitting.

rhylith

tsplitter wrote: »

wow that Roller Mobster

One of my friends linked me to Carpenter Brut a couple weeks ago and I've been basically listening to the Trilogy album nonstop at work since then.

Rear Admiral Choco

AvalonGuard wrote: »

As far as the game is concerned, I like it as much as the first but in different ways. HM1 was a very tight experience with room to room murder that was very much GOGOGO DONT STOP FASTER FASTER FASTER. You do that in HM2 and in many places you just get lit up instantly. This actually led to a couple of pacing issues and difficulty spikes midgame but the later stuff ended up being super smart and much better.

Gameplay spoiler;

I particularly liked the one scene which starts you with nothing, so you have to burst in the front door to knock the dude with the assault rifle out, pick it up, then unload on the four or five other people that start in the room with you.

As far as storyline goes;

While I can't make total sense of it all, what a fucking ride. The impermanence of death was a mindfuck in the most fun way.

And that ending sequence was insane! Giant tiger man, zebra shadow demon, topped with a two headed flame throwing swan hydra thing? So completely out of left field yet totally fitting.

If I'm being perfectly honest, the ending, while I wouldn't say it's my favourite, felt fitting to me

SERIOUS SPOILERS

Capping off all the monstrously inhuman violence of the game with the pinnacle of human weaponry? Seems fitting enough.

I can't decide if I think Russia nuked just Miami and Hawaii or if it's full scale nuclear obliteration, but it's a fitting capstone, even if it leaves a kind of ashy taste in the mouth.

Also for the gameplay segment of the ending I do love that

You're effectively playing as the mob boss on a hellacious drug trip as he kills the Fans

AvalonGuard

Rear Admiral Choco wrote: »

AvalonGuard wrote: »

As far as the game is concerned, I like it as much as the first but in different ways. HM1 was a very tight experience with room to room murder that was very much GOGOGO DONT STOP FASTER FASTER FASTER. You do that in HM2 and in many places you just get lit up instantly. This actually led to a couple of pacing issues and difficulty spikes midgame but the later stuff ended up being super smart and much better.

Gameplay spoiler;

I particularly liked the one scene which starts you with nothing, so you have to burst in the front door to knock the dude with the assault rifle out, pick it up, then unload on the four or five other people that start in the room with you.

As far as storyline goes;

While I can't make total sense of it all, what a fucking ride. The impermanence of death was a mindfuck in the most fun way.

And that ending sequence was insane! Giant tiger man, zebra shadow demon, topped with a two headed flame throwing swan hydra thing? So completely out of left field yet totally fitting.

If I'm being perfectly honest, the ending, while I wouldn't say it's my favourite, felt fitting to me

SERIOUS SPOILERS

Capping off all the monstrously inhuman violence of the game with the pinnacle of human weaponry? Seems fitting enough.

I can't decide if I think Russia nuked just Miami and Hawaii or if it's full scale nuclear obliteration, but it's a fitting capstone, even if it leaves a kind of ashy taste in the mouth.

Also for the gameplay segment of the ending I do love that

You're effectively playing as the mob boss on a hellacious drug trip as he kills the Fans

Endgame;

It's heavily implied by the Rooster in that final conversation that everyone is dead. While never being specific, I imagine that alludes to an end of world apocalypse scenario.

Is there anything tying the general that led the U.S. coup to the leader of the U.S. soldiers in Hawaii? I either missed something there or this is something entirely unrelated to pretty much any of the rest of the story, which is pretty much par for course in these games.

Speed Racer

AvalonGuard wrote: »

Rear Admiral Choco wrote: »

AvalonGuard wrote: »

As far as the game is concerned, I like it as much as the first but in different ways. HM1 was a very tight experience with room to room murder that was very much GOGOGO DONT STOP FASTER FASTER FASTER. You do that in HM2 and in many places you just get lit up instantly. This actually led to a couple of pacing issues and difficulty spikes midgame but the later stuff ended up being super smart and much better.

Gameplay spoiler;

I particularly liked the one scene which starts you with nothing, so you have to burst in the front door to knock the dude with the assault rifle out, pick it up, then unload on the four or five other people that start in the room with you.

As far as storyline goes;

While I can't make total sense of it all, what a fucking ride. The impermanence of death was a mindfuck in the most fun way.

And that ending sequence was insane! Giant tiger man, zebra shadow demon, topped with a two headed flame throwing swan hydra thing? So completely out of left field yet totally fitting.

If I'm being perfectly honest, the ending, while I wouldn't say it's my favourite, felt fitting to me

SERIOUS SPOILERS

Capping off all the monstrously inhuman violence of the game with the pinnacle of human weaponry? Seems fitting enough.

I can't decide if I think Russia nuked just Miami and Hawaii or if it's full scale nuclear obliteration, but it's a fitting capstone, even if it leaves a kind of ashy taste in the mouth.

Also for the gameplay segment of the ending I do love that

You're effectively playing as the mob boss on a hellacious drug trip as he kills the Fans

Endgame;

It's heavily implied by the Rooster in that final conversation that everyone is dead. While never being specific, I imagine that alludes to an end of world apocalypse scenario.

Is there anything tying the general that led the U.S. coup to the leader of the U.S. soldiers in Hawaii? I either missed something there or this is something entirely unrelated to pretty much any of the rest of the story, which is pretty much par for course in these games.

Considering that his lieutenant was the guy that pays you for your jobs in HM1, and that he went crazy that one night and wore a panther mask, I assume that the general is implied to be the leader of the 50 Blessings

BillyIdle

So apparently there's more story in playing the levels on hard.
I am down to attempt it and make more sense of the plot (which I liked, as trippy as it is).
This was a really fun game! I was really rusty when I started but got into the groove after a few levels. Shooting through glass at enemies is so satisfying.

AvalonGuard

BillyIdle wrote: »

So apparently there's more story in playing the levels on hard.
I am down to attempt it and make more sense of the plot (which I liked, as trippy as it is).
This was a really fun game! I was really rusty when I started but got into the groove after a few levels. Shooting through glass at enemies is so satisfying.

Oh shit, that's cool of them to give you more insane rambling story if you play another difficulty. Guess I'll go through again this weekend.

Zek

I don't understand some of the character balance decisions - for example, Tony vs Alex and Ash:

One gets a permanent melee weapon but can't use guns. The other gets a permanent melee weapon and also a gun at the same time. Where's the choice?

PMAvers

Zek wrote: »

I don't understand some of the character balance decisions - for example, Tony vs Alex and Ash:

One gets a permanent melee weapon but can't use guns. The other gets a permanent melee weapon and also a gun at the same time. Where's the choice?

I know, right? Tony is totally OP.

Thetheroo

I don't think there's really supposed to be much balance

Rear Admiral Choco

Zek wrote: »

I don't understand some of the character balance decisions - for example, Tony vs Alex and Ash:

One gets a permanent melee weapon but can't use guns. The other gets a permanent melee weapon and also a gun at the same time. Where's the choice?

I feel like it might have been intended that Ash also gets struck and killed which would make the two of them collectively a huge target, but he seems to be invincible

I think Tony might also be faster, though? I don't know, it might just be that I feel more confident charging in with him.

Bubby

I have no fucking clue how to use ash properly so tony wins for me. Ash just moves wherever he wants and it's too hard to try and manage his line of fire while making sure Alex doesn't die.

BillyIdle

Using Alex and Ash to shoot-n-bait the bad guys was really a fun strategy for me.
" I heard a gunshot better go investiga-" CHAINSAW.

Rear Admiral Choco

While I generally enjoy the gunplay in Hotline Miami I think my absolute favourite thing is playing as Evan

Nothing feels quite as badass as unloading guns to chain up your combo and ending a stage with everyone just nursing injuries instead of excessively eviscerated

PMAvers

And done.

That... certainly was a final stage.

Anyone who says that the game was like a bad trip ain't seen nothing yet...

BillyIdle

Rear Admiral Choco wrote: »

While I generally enjoy the gunplay in Hotline Miami I think my absolute favourite thing is playing as Evan

Nothing feels quite as badass as unloading guns to chain up your combo and ending a stage with everyone just nursing injuries instead of excessively eviscerated

When I first played as him I flipped out.

I know its a minor thing to change that a character in this bloodlust of a game can be pacifistic, but I literally went HOLY SHIT when you saw the enemies on the floor in pain as opposed to red smeared everywhere. The unloading guns and knocking them out finishers was awesome as well.

Bubby

Just finished it. The last two levels of Scene 24 were fueled by pure demon perseverance. None of the plot made any sense to me until I read this: http://steamcommunity.com/app/274170/discussions/0/617330227194121372/

And now I think it's kind of awesome.

Honestly, I commend that guy for putting it all together. I completely missed that the mob boss with the scar died in HM1 and you were playing as his son in the endgame and wiping out the fans. That's pretty fucking cool.

Panda4You

I've found the plot pretty goddamn rad, after digesting it for a little while now (and getting one or two helpers from that link, tnx @Bubby )! At first there was a little bit of "wtf?" and "...eh?" at the ending, I think mainly because it comes very leftfield, but as I get the bigger picture it fits the themes and events quite a lot.

I must applaud Dennaton for deciding to go the full length on such a bleak story! There's hardly a trace of of sympathy amongst any of the characters (rat dude the only possible exception?).
Though I can understand this making the game very much less accessible than the original. Which I think other elements add to! Aside from the consistent feel of despair and desperation, the game's a lot harder, the timeline of events a bit more convoluted and so on. It might not be an easy pill to swallow, so to say, but thinking through the experience in hindsight I can't really say there's anything I'd like to change.
...maaaybe the goddamn prison level, splitting it up into two chapters or something? That one was a little exhausting to see to the end.

That menu track really is something else. I've been getting the habit of starting the game, alt-tabbing to do other shit and just let the track go on repeat.

Edit: Looking through some achi guides and such, there's quite a lot of secret shit to find! Very much of it adds to or changes the story as well. Another imo

Hella great game, all in all.

And a strong finish to the story as well. It's heavy but well-executed curtain for the series. I'd rather not see a continuation of it, some sort of prequel might work but as a continued timeline? No, there's just a big THE END there.