Game release: Hotline Miami 2 – Wrong Number

The sequel to one of the more controversial pixel art games is finally here: Dennator Games’ Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is another blood-soaked arcade-style splatterfest.

The original game has already been reviewed here and showed that with the influence of 80ies music and pixel art reminiscent of the first GTA, there’s something quite rewarding to kill as many people as possible, being a hitman wearing animal masks. As weird as it sounds, but together with the surreal storytelling, it was a game that stood out from the indie crowd.

So the sequel is much anticipated and it seems to hit the right tone with violence all around, but still keeping that weird feeling of questioning one’s own killing methods and actions, while the gameplay is just as frenetic. It remains to be seen if the game also avoids the trapfalls of the original, mainly the steep difficulty curve (although that was a selling point) and the lack of variety. It looks pretty much the same actually with the graphics not being much different, while the floors are splattered with blood and dead bodies soon piling up when using all kinds of murder instruments.

This is certainly no game for the easily offended or those who detest the depiction of violence. Despite its over-the-top presentation, the main idea of going on a killing spree, clearing floors of “enemies” isn’t for every, and it seems that the Australian Classification Board doesn’t like it at all, as it rejected it. So unfortunately, this is another incident, at least on GOG, of censorship taking over the personal preferences of gamers. It’s not possible to buy it in Australia, something the Commandos series recently had to suffer with its exclusion from German accounts. Hopefully, this doesn’t become a new trend…

For all others who don’t live in Australia (or those who have a Steam account?), they’re in for another heartpounding gameplay experience. It should also be noted that there’s a Digital Special Edition that includes a Remix EP and 6 unique tracks, something that’s definitely to be taken into consideration, as the soundtrack of the first game was worth the purchase alone. A level editor will be unlocked later for each edition when it’s ready for release, without paying extra.

Buy the PC game on
GOG (Standard Edition)
Steam
GOG (Deluxe Edition)

GOG news

Official Website

If you liked reading this article, make sure you pay a visit to Future Sack which kindly features it as well, and every LIKE or comment is appreciated on EMR’s Facebook page or FS’s Facebook page :).
Using one of the GOG links and buying the product also helps ;).