Hotline Miami: A Guided Tour (Review)

[@toaster9922]

I’ve always seen the Biker as an analogue to the player. He’s had his fill, but now he wants actual answers. He literally says “This stupid game ends now.”

[@Bigwave3K]

Never thought of it this way before but damn! That makes so much sense

[@necromech_]

he's literally just included to provide some context/answers for the player, should they choose to dig into it. he dies in Phone Hom to Jacket, and his story where you play as him just serves as a "what if" to connect the dots for the player.

[@TheFloodFourm]

Interesting theory. Biker also gets to choose to spare people in nearly every level he’s in.

[@TheFloodFourm]

@@necromech_He’s alive in HL2. I agree though in HL1 either he or jacket was supposed to be dead

[@necromech_]

@@TheFloodFourmhe's more of an easter egg. I disagree with the interpretation that he is alive at all in HM2. He shows up at the bar of broken heroes, where Evan is surrounded by the disparate characters and stories that he's desperately trying to connect. its not a a literal place, its a framing device. Biker is 100% fucking dead, and pretending otherwise because he shows up outside a courthouse (next to the fans btw) is just dumb.

[@VseeAR]

After watching the whole video I just have to say this video is amazing as expected. You’re honestly one of the best video essayists I’ve watched and I just love your work. I can’t wait for the next video on Wrong Number, keep up the good work.

[@frds_skce]

There was no 'next video' yet 😔

[@reddragon8167]

"In Clean Hit, you're supposed to sneak around outside." I've beaten this game twice and had no idea. Wow. Edit: "The level, *Fun and Games,* has a liberal amount of windows scattered around, which foreshadows Hotline Miami's sequel." Got a nice belly laugh out of me.

[@licorice3333]

I've been binging your videos since I discovered them the last couple of days. Insightful and engrossing and marvelous

[@Biker_Gaming]

12:16 that’s the worst hotline Miami strategy I’ve seen to clear out this encounter

[@Vellzi]

One thing I really like about your reviews is that most to them contain a 'montage' part, where it's just music and gameplay for an extended period of time - I always think these do wonders to get across the 'vibe' of the games in a way that just talking about them can't.

[@andycopeland7051]

This game made an unforgettable impression on me. It truly may be one of the perfect games

[@Alice-yn3by]

Ever since I watched the Rain World video I really hoped you would keep updating your channel and it's really nice to see you're still going! Your videos are really unique and interesting

[@necromech_]

i've lost count of how many times i've listened to the soundtrack of this game in its entirety. it really is a perfect game, minus a few annoying gameplay limitations, but the pacing of the game combined with the soundtrack and visuals make it stand out in my memory far more than any modern game has for me.

[@Kaspar_Houser]

yes! the music is so iconic and unforgettable. I was at a rave in Vienna about 1-2 years after hotline miami released. The DJ plaid MOON - Hydrogen! I was getting next to the booth and shouted something like "nice hotline miami music" he heard it. later we had a super nice talk about the game. As i didnt have any gamer friends who were into that game it was the first time on that evening i exchanged myself with somebody else about this fantastic piece of art. its really a phenomenon

[@Intestine_Ballin-ism]

Im seeing Perturbator AND Carpenter Brut next month. High school me would be gushing right now

[@necromech_]

⁠@@Intestine_Ballin-ismholy shit my man, sounds like it would be one hell of an evening. hope you enjoyed it!

[@necromech_]

@@Kaspar_Houserits confusing how it didn't become more widely known. its one of the few games worth sharing to other people, but good luck finding anyone interested in it. ig we should consider it lucky it still has only a cult like status.

[@stingray5555]

I have no idea why your reviews are not more popular.....thank you for putting my feelings about this game into words

[@5000Seabass]

You are criminally underrated, I look forward to your future work!

[@splattie_]

Watched this as well as your Cruelty Squad video- really, really enjoyed it and I hope you make more (if you enjoy making them)!

[@artcrime2999]

I never see it pointed out but the walls are a gameplay mechanic too, the thicker walls with brown are bulletproof, but the yellow walls are not.

[@necromech_]

it's only really used in overdose. they appear in other stages, but they aren't really set up to be used in actual gameplay. from my understanding, earlier builds made quite extensive use of these walls, but they just got left as a gimmick for one level it seems.

[@chinbag]

I just want to say how much I love your videos, even if I haven’t played the game yet. This, your cruelty squad video and your rain world video are amazing and I hope you get more attention

[@VseeAR]

Return of the king

[@RafaelCabreraAzrael]

amazing production level, love your channel! keep it up!

[@canertwo]

I'm watching all your shit. This is basically another Civvie channel I can consume well made content from. Keep up and you might beat him to 1 million subs LOL. Low key no joke. Need more from you, thanks.

[@nonhelpablegamer6070]

I found this KZbin from his cruelty squad video, and I think he is massively under appreciated I seriously think that he dwarves way more views and subs but hey I guess that shit youtube algorithm rarely recommends gems

[@wildonionchase3934]

Looking forward to the Hotline Miami 2 guided tour whenever you get around to it, great work on such a cohesive title.

[@AWESOMO5]

Came here from the cruelty squad video. Subbed and bent over ready to take in your next video

[@Aytoms]

im a really big fan of the way u write these videos, since i dont think anyone else has really done such good technical analysis of games in general. its a unique field in literature because its so widespread but not many have really tackled it, so im looking forward to what u have to make in the future.

[@thegoodoldays911]

I mean the reason why the masks are so haphazard is cuz they weren't intended to have abilities until a guy at devolver said they would for them in a press release IIRC. That being said there are some things where dennaton legitimately forgot like jacket just not having a toilet and the given reason being literally "We forgot" lol. I thought surviving bullets was a graze thing instead of a random chance thing but I could be wrong. Regardless this video was very good and at the very least isn't the braindead "I interpreted the fake ending as the devs telling you the player that something is wrong with you for enjoying the game they worked very hard on" take that a lot of people seem to have for some reason.

[@thegoodoldays911]

Like in particular I really appreciate you bringing up what people don't really talk about in that while hotline miami is technically a hard game it gives you one of the strongest outside of the game abilities outside of free save states/rewinding that is actually zero downtime between dying and getting back to gameplay. I don't quite see the dorodango thing myself but that's definitely what games like katana zero were going for.

[@okayskeleton]

This is a really phenomenal video! I love the care and style you've put into your work, and I am looking forward to your take on the sequel. Thank you!

[@WireMosasaur]

I actually bought this almost as soon as it came out because the aesthetic was just so intoxicating- took me about 3 screens to realise I could never play it, ahaha... :') thank you so much for diving deep into the pixel gore so that people like my slow-reflexed ass can experience this amazing creation too, in all of its surreal detail

[@Antonwalnuts]

flexes my around 150 millisecond reaction time (took me months to beat the second game)

[@gavmcdangle1893]

Fantastic video! I really see big potential.

[@M4ut4ll1c4]

This channel will be big. Good job on the video, I am thoroughly enjoying your content! Subbed

[@connor.d.l]

Great video, great channel. I have loved this game since high school. Your channel helps me realize why I love what I love

[@snowdogs5432]

Found your channel from your Cruelty Squad video, and Hotline Miami is a longtime favorite and the hardest game I've ever truly 100%'d. Loved your analysis!

[@efronlicht1043]

I really liked this one. In general you do a good job of using editing to keep things interesting in a subtle way without drawing too much attention to it. Seemed like you were having some fun timing edits along with the music. I thought that was pretty cool! There is one thing that bugged me - the combination of fast-forward and the usual strobing visuals and screenjitter of hotline miami was actually a bit nauseating. Dunno how u could fix that though.

[@Popple-]

Just from watching your Rain World video I can tell just how long these take to make, but please keep making them.

[@maxgriffin2125]

31:31 im glad someone agrees silver lights is a fantastic song

[@gameboi2820]

A note: Jacket and Driver's memories are both extremely unreliable, and shouldn't be taken at face value. It's likely that they both beat each other to a pulp before walking away, believing they killed one another.

[@theortnow3492]

you are amazing, so surprised you only have 10k subs

[@Kyfow]

Came here from the cruelty squad video, you're doing great! Fantastic stuff

[@kameronlavender1478]

Just discovered your channel. You deserve way more subs

[@incvd]

Best Hotline Miami video essay I've seen.

[@bennwalton]

I have been playing video games for 2+ decades and this is the only game I have ever 100%d in my entire life

[@jamiemoseley8327]

What a great video. After watching this and the AI video, I think I’ve found a new favorite. Need to play rainworld asap bc it seems like everyone with good taste is telling me to play it.

[@MisterBork]

37:57 rip and tear is absolutely the best mask on the game, don´t hate on my monkey boy

[@deadshr00m54]

came from your Cruelty Squad video and I can't wait for hm2

[@justo4343]

Had no idea cactus squid made hotline miami. Holy shit thank you

[@zestyorangez]

I think I was 13 when I played it. really glad i got that humble bundle

[@yungleen1841]

thats really funny, i believe we are the exact same age, and we played both hotline 1 and 2 at the exact same years. personally, I prefer Hotline 2 (ive watched your other video first), obviously 1 is great but 2 expands on it in a way that feels complete. clearly 1 is a much tighter package with no real low points, but the peaks of 2, to me, completely humiliate the first game. its lows feel like the game is saying something, like something like "this isn't supposed to be fun, violence is not fun in real life, its awful and quick, but its impacts will haunt you forever" - something like that. really enjoyed both videos, been really getting into the soundtracks for both games since i was 15 and played 2. really glad I was able to reflect on this time of my life, especially right now.

[@neongalaxy9976]

Cool video! Love this game too!

[@NB-kc2cr]

Looking forward to HM2!

[@Taketaketak]

Thanks for your style ❤

[@artcrime2999]

This was one of the games I pirated first and then bought multiple copies of for friends, Cactus put it on pirate bay himself to keep people from getting malware or other shady shit from third parties and to update the game. I was able to report a bug to him via those comments sections. Early on if you were unarmed you could reach through all walls to cut throats or choke people. It broke many levels.

[@jrheard]

Love this game, love your video, keep it up pls

[@Johandris]

Dude this video is amazing. Why the fuck don’t you have more views ?

[@artemwernon]

First time I played hotline miami in my 14's. It was a pirated russian version (cuz i'm russian), so I thought that russian title screen is some kind of mod from pirates. Thank you for the great video!

[@KawausoKuso]

8:10 I do the same thing every time on this level lol

[@HeatwaveHeavycruiser]

Nice one jimmy. Solid work. Too bad your review of the sequel hasnt dropped yet. Let us know if you changed your mind on making it.

[@chrisg5219]

Great video Jimmy! What's the song that plays during your coverage of gamma four? The time is 4:29 iirc?

[@WireMosasaur]

oh one small critique though, this one had a lot of talking while at the same time the large, pulsating game text was saying something different, forcing me to split my attention between reading what it said and listening to what you were saying, which was kinda hard sometimes and made me lose track of one or the other. it is what it is though :V

[@leftovernoise]

Another absolute banger

[@TZerot0]

Great video, it feels really serendipitous to hear all of your thoughts about a game summerized in video form. I've always seen HM2 as a sequel bad enough that it makes the first worse, but I should revisit that. Seeing all of the levels made me realize that the level layouts are burned into my head in the same way as I'm sure the green hills zone or the Mario world 1-1 is in many.

[@sonicgamer999-]

Not a hostage mechanic, it’s a meatshield mechanic, crap for melee enemies but good for taking a bullet (or two if you get lucky)

[@Spudcore]

What a wonderful game. My favourite bit is where you can grab the pot off the stove and throw boiling water in a mobster's face.

[@fan5407]

Jimmy, would you consider remixing the audio in this video? The audio from the developers' press conference is too low.

[@Squirberus]

39:44 its actually this song =)

[@jeangermain837]

good analisis man =)

[@artcrime2999]

KEYBOARD DRUMSET FUCKING WEREWOLF is a game you have to play at least once if you didn't

[@internetidiot9877]

"this firmly puts biker in an alternate timeline" it does not *firmly*, as both biker and jacket are unreliable narrators, jacket is in a coma and having his coma dream version of events play out, and biker is an overconfident asshole. it could be assumed neither could win over the other, which is why they're both alive in hlm2.

[@stephensmith7327]

I don't really feel it is a critique of Synth Wave or the Synth Wave mind set, as there are plenty of acts and uses of it that are genuinely dark and introspective. Carpenter Brüt is a good example especially with EP 3 and it's Apocoliptic themes. They also get into Moral Panic, Church Curruption and White Supremicy in the Sunday Lunch video.

[@JohnDoe-tp3mb]

Great vid

[@Namelessstew]

Underated channel

[@Ottrond]

you're incredibly good

[@filurenerik1643]

Please make one about Dark Souls 1!!!

[@83rdgec17]

I feel like dark souls has been covered enough in a similar type of format. I think he should stick to lesser discussed games

[@sadurrasti]

Please do not do that

[@Lynchblade]

Richard best mask? yes or no

[@neongalaxy9976]

Yes

[@ilkerkesal1145]

Yes

[@EggBastion]

Thank you.

[@sino2617]

Brutal

[@bricktea3645]

Gibme hotline Miami 2 vid

[@Slickmin115]

nice

[@iiWarlord]

You seem to really dislike videogame lore uh

[@JimmyMcG33]

Naw it's just frequently very poorly integrated. If lore doesn't impact the play experience it has little place in a review. I know that "the lore community" is a big thing online so I try to head-off any arguments about lore being important if it isn't important, that probably makes it seem like I dislike it. If the lore deepens the atmosphere, that's great. Dark Souls does it well, item descriptions are both helpful and act as world-building. My HM2 video also engages as deeply as I possibly could with the lore, and I talked about why I think good lore cannot make a game good by itself.

[@s8tn622]

Hlm2 was way superior to hlm1 lol

[@necromech_]

I disagree. hm1 is way more focused, both in gameplay, narrative, and themes. hm2 is a worthy sequel, a bit more refined gameplay-wise, with some new ideas, but also glaring issues becoming more apparent from the first game and from new additions pop up as you play. both are good games, but hm1 is just the more confident game.

[@CAVEDATA]

People in there 20s should have zero voice. Ever.

[@JimmyMcG33]

dude I'm 78 years old

[@parallel8502]

why