Hotline Miami 2 is a game with a strange problem. The ambition, ideas, amazing soundtrack, and powerful ending definitely surpass the original, and with some retooling I can see myself thinking it’s the peak fiction some people claim it is. Unfortunately, the gameplay and foundation it’s built on is just worse than the original.
The level design feels sloppy, having areas waaay too big for a game like this making everything feel a lot more frustrating. It’s buggy and for every level I remember as good 3 others feel like I’m Sisyphus pushing a boulder. I’d still recommend you play Hotline Miami 2 just to make your own opinion on it, but to me while I see where it shines actually playing it feels like a step down from the first game.
The level design feels sloppy, having areas waaay too big for a game like this making everything feel a lot more frustrating. It’s buggy and for every level I remember as good 3 others feel like I’m Sisyphus pushing a boulder. I’d still recommend you play Hotline Miami 2 just to make your own opinion on it, but to me while I see where it shines actually playing it feels like a step down from the first game.