The goal of each level is simple: kill ’em all. Not all Hotline Miami masks are created equal, but there’s enough here to satiate those who want some variety in playstyle those wanting to better their scores will doubtlessly appreciate the option to experiment. One mask will make dogs docile around you while another will start you off with a knife. Said masks are rewarded for completing levels and each comes with a different perk, minus the default, Richard. It’s more than just an excuse to kill people while wearing funny masks. The story doesn’t go much deeper than that, though thematically it has the depth of a Lynchian lake if you read between the lines and dig a little deeper. You play as Jacket, a disillusioned man who kills the mob at the behest of a strange voice on the phone. The first game is a laser-focused and enthralling experience, minus the infamous stealth level that is probably the worst thing about it. That doesn’t make this any less of an essential purchase, though - even if you’ve descended into madness with both entries before, Hotline Miami hasn’t missed a step in the time since.
This same collection has been found on other platforms before, including the also portable Vita, and there’s nothing new for its Switch version - at least from what I could tell.
It’s been the perfect fit for the Switch since the console launched, and now it’s finally here in the form of the Hotline Miami Collection.īoth Hotline Miami and Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number are a part of the package, though it’s a shame someone at Devolver didn’t sneak in Hotline Milwaukee. Dennaton’s neon-infused vigilante simulator has inspired many top-down imitators over the years (Mr Shifty and Ruiner to name but two), and it’s also largely responsible for the surge in popularity of synthwave: the 80s throwback beats that anchor the mayhem. Few games have been as influential this decade as Hotline Miami.