A fast, violent top-down action game set in 1989 Miami. You receive mysterious phone calls and clear buildings wearing animal masks.
L1What it is
An unnamed man receives phone messages asking him to go to addresses. He puts on an animal mask and kills everyone inside. The story is surreal and gets stranger as it goes on.
L2How it plays
Everyone dies in one hit, including you. Kick doors, grab weapons, throw them, and plan your route through each floor. Restarting is instant. Masks give special abilities. The violence is graphic.
L3Pixels & sound
The neon pixel art and the pulsing synthwave soundtrack defined a genre. The music is a major reason people come back.
L4Coming back
Score attack, grades and hidden puzzle pieces. Short campaign, but many players replay levels for high scores.
L5Value & tech
Cheap and runs on anything. Verified on Steam Deck. Mouse aiming is best on desktop. Contains graphic violence.
Power-ups
- Intense, addictive loop
- Iconic soundtrack
- Instant restarts
- Strong style
Game overs
- Short
- Very violent
- Sometimes chaotic AI
Score sheet
- Gameplay 30%
- 8.8
- Feel & controls 20%
- 9.0
- Pixels & sound 20%
- 9.0
- Replay 15%
- 7.6
- Value 15%
- 9.4
Weighted: 8.8 × 30% + 9.0 × 20% + 9.0 × 20% + 7.6 × 15% + 9.4 × 15% = 8.79, shown as 8.8.
The verdict
Verdict
Hotline Miami is still one of the most intense action games on Steam. Short and brutal, but its style and soundtrack are unforgettable.
By the Game Pick Review editorial desk · Updated 3 Oct 2026 · How we score · Spotted an error?
