Hotline Miami is an excellent retro shooter that brings out the best Grand Theft Auto/Miami Vice memories we all cherish and love. But it has been some time since the release of this high-octane action game, with skull-crushing close combat from a top-down perspective. It was an innovative shooter, but regarding a roguelike game of this kind, we wanted something new and exciting.

So, in this article, we will be looking at some cool indie games where you can murder multiple enemies with guns or melee combat, with great music, this retro vibe, and the grudge against “the bad guys.” This past decade was full of great violent games for all of us to enjoy that, unlike Hotline Miami, may not have yet been discovered by the greater audience. Let’s find an arcade game that will bring you back to those good old days. Let’s dive in!

• Developer: Dennaton

• Release date: March 2012

• Meta Score: 85

• Platforms:  Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Stadia

Although…what about Hotline Miami? If you have not tried it, you should give it a go if you like to eliminate enemies by dozens within a twin-stick shooter style. There are probably more games on this list that took this concept even further, but the old-and-gold Hotline Miami cannot be overlooked. So, what is all the fuss about?

Well, it’s the alternative 1980s Miami, essentially a Wild West. The main character is an antihero with no name who receives a weird phone call. He knows only one thing – there will be some murdering tonight!

The raw brutality of this game and its rogue-like elements make it an enjoyable experience. Each level is filled with hordes of enemies in a stylized, violent fashion. Gameplay-wise, it’s a standard dungeon crawler; you must utilize different weapons for different enemies. With its arsenal of guns, melee action, and environmental attacks, this game pays homage to the classics of yesteryears while sporting a stylized aesthetic from three decades ago. 

The difficulty level is relatively high, as this top-down shooter does not give you plot armor, so you need to strategize not to get killed exceptionally easily. And it’s not an easy task, a single shot can bring you down to your knees. Essentially, most enemies may kill you with ease.

But, what makes it different from other games is the style it’s all dived in. The synth-wave soundtrack and intense atmosphere – a modern equivalent of a snuff film from the VHS era, but with a chicken mask and over-the-top violence. The storyline is entirely engaging in the end; it gives you the sense of the edge that the hero is on, and it’s pretty satisfying to reach the end of the level. So, if you like fast-paced gameplay with a heavy emphasis on violence and 1980s Miami, you should surely give this one a chance.

• Developer: Explosive Squat Games

• Release date: July 2021

• Meta Score: N/A

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows

Next up on our list is Intravenous. A Splinter Cell/Thief kind of game with a perfect message. First – don’t do drugs. And subsequently, definitely murder all the drug dealers. You are Steve Robbins, a man on a revenge path after junkies murdered his brother. It’s brutal; it’s dark; it’s also kind of funny sometimes. We will explain further.

The first thing you need to know about Intravenous is that it’s not your everyday rogue-like title. It’s an homage to the titles like Splinter Cell 1 or 2, which were monumental games in their time. So, unlike Hotline Miami, you will not go out guns blazing into every interaction but rather stay in the shadows and wait for your chance to shine. Of course, like in many games, you may go all out without considering the consequences. Nevertheless, it may not seem like the best action, as you will probably die. Pretty frequently.

The gameplay is pretty interesting, as it does not revolve around killing people with guns but instead tactically taking out rotten guts one by one, using many different techniques and environments. Putting out light and strangling them from behind, throwing bottles to distract the guards, or, this is the comedic element, imitating their wife's voices, can get you pretty far.

While not an Oscar-winning script, the game weaves an enthralling plot that provides ample clarity for the trials you face. The dark and grim ambiance, similar to a Punisher-style adventure, adds an undeniable allure to the overall experience, making it an appealing aspect of the game.

Regarding graphics, it’s not like Miami’s colorful pink and blue funtime, but rather dark, black, and red scenery. And it works for this particular game amazingly. 

If you liked Hotline Miami, you would love Intravenous. It may not be as widely known as its older cousin, but it’s one of the more exciting titles in the genre, so you should give this one a chance.

• Developer: Coffee Stain Studios, Easy Trigger Games

• Release date: May 2020

• Meta Score: 87

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Switch

Next on our list is a crazy little game called Huntdown. This is a rogue-like, 2D game where you play as one of the three bounty hunters. The game is set in a futuristic city in the dystopian future, where rival criminals fight to take over the whole place. As a bounty hunter, you take them all out in a beautiful pixel art fashion.

The gameplay is pretty simple. You wander around this cyberpunk-like city, eliminate the bad guys with various weapons, do some platforming sequences, and take care of your murderous urges. It’s fast, colorful; it’s everything you have ever wanted from a game of this caliber. What’s interesting about this particular title is the extreme violence it brings to the table. So, if it’s something within your wheelhouse, you should give this title a chance.

Another fun element of Huntdown is the cooperative multiplayer mode. It allows you to team up and take on all the different types of enemies with your friend. In this game, you can experience boss fights together, find some hidden secrets, and have fun with friends.

Ultimately, it’s a great game if you like this art style. And, if you want Hotline Miami, you will surely enjoy violent dismembering with friends. Its greatest asset lies in its ability to transport you to a new and wonderful cyberpunk world while paying homage to the arcade games of the previous millennium. If it’s nostalgic for you, this will not disappoint you.

• Developer: Nicalis

• Release date: November 2014

• Meta Score: 88

• Platforms: PC, Mac, Vita, PS4, New 3DS, Wii U

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is probably the most popular game on our list, similar to Hotline Miami. People have been obsessed with this title for years, for good reasons.. This particular version is a remake of the original The Binding of Isaac with additional content and EVEN BETTER visuals. 

The title was initially developed by Nicalis and designed by Edmund McMillen. It follows the story of a mysterious boy named Issac, trying to escape from his evil mother. It’s scary as you navigate this wonderfully crazy maze of imaginative monsters in your basement, traps, and bosses, including your mom.

One of the significant assets of The Binding of Isaac is the randomly generated dungeons so that every run will be different than the previous one. Additionally, with the RPG elements, different ways to kill each enemy, and a wonderfully twisted story – this is an incredible journey for people of all ages.

The Binding of Issac has been praised for its inventive storytelling, well-put-together characters, depth, and scary vibe. In a world full of shiny A+++ titles with little to no story, this one takes the lead when it comes to having an innovative and exciting plot with excellent execution when it comes to the gameplay.

Also – it’s not an easy game to play in any regard. There are no save games (with some exceptions), so you must run from a fresh start if you die. That sure gives this title an edge over the other similar ones.

Overall, there is a great reason why people are still playing this title. Regarding roguelike games, The Binding of Issac is one of the top. And as for its similarity to the Hotline Miami, it’s also a dark and twisted 2D, isometric shoot, roguelike violent masterpiece for a whole family to enjoy. With Hotline Miami, the family should be 18+, though. Additionally, dozens of expansions, updates, etc., are a fantastic way of expanding this title for new players. Regarding the Roguelike genre, you will not find anything much better than this one.

• Developer: Matt Dabrowski

• Release date: July 2019

• Meta Score: 82

• Platforms: PC, Mac, Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Android

Next, we have the Streets of Rogue! Ironically, it’s also a roguelike game, but there are few streets in the title. It’s mostly a dungeon crawler set in a city full of colorful characters. And by colorful, we mean – mostly the bad guys trying to murder each other. It’s pretty big in the content department for a game of this kind. You can talk to some NPCs, buy stuff, join gangs, and combine your murdering abilities with stealth.

It’s honestly a GTA-kind of the game with some additional twists. You can choose from plenty of different characters, like doctors, hackers, etc., each one with different abilities and weapons that they use.

The best thing about this particular title is probably how vast it is compared to the other games on this list. You can feel the depth of this city, with different factions and gangs roaming around and murdering each other for influence. This game, similar to the Grand Theft Auto series, is also hilarious regarding dialogue. Those conversations between different gang members or NPCs are full of one-liners or just absurdity that we all know and love from the Rockstar title.

Of course, it can also be pretty dramatic with all the murders. Still, the charm of this particular title lies in the lightheartedness and humor-based approach to the concept rather than different ways of killing enemies. Which are, don’t get us wrong, also incredible. But – you can also win with some diplomacy in this title, so the choice is yours.

• Developer: Reikon Games

• Release date: September 2017

• Meta Score: 77

• Platforms:  PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

Ruiner, on the other hand, is something completely different. You take on the role of “The Ruiner” in the dystopian city called Rengok. What is your purpose? Someone kidnapped your brother, and you desperately want to save him. Why? Well, there are plenty of reasons, the foremost being – it’s your brother, and he’s been kidnapped. 

The game is set in the cyberpunk world, with atmospheric visuals of a dark, gritty world of corruption and technology. With the addition of the Susumu Hirasawa soundtrack, you cannot go wrong with this title. 

On the other hand, the gameplay is a bit different from what we have seen so far, as it is much more intense and fast-paced than in the previous titles. You have a wide range of weapons, most of them pretty cyberpunk-ish, so if you like this style, you will feel at home. 

Another great thing about this title, similar to the “bigger” Cyberpunk games, is that it’s all about technology and enhancements. You can modify yourself to kill your enemies even faster, with better reload speed, additional ammo, even better melee attacks, and many, many more. Of course, your enemies also can upgrade, so be sure to be faster than them in that regard.

If you enjoy this kind of cyberpunk-esque world, with a good story, some nice visuals, and lots and lots of advancement for your weapons and abilities, then this game is definitely for you. Additionally, shooting and melee fights feel great and are a staple of this title, so if you enjoy some fast-paced action, give this one a chance.

• Developer: Dennaton Games / Abstraction Games

• Release date: March 2015

• Meta Score: 75

• Platforms:  PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Android, Switch, Xbox One

And there it is, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number – a sequel to the extremely popular Hotline Miami. Is it better than the original? Or is it at least as good as the first one? Well, let’s find out.

Hotline Miami 2: The wrong number picks up after the need for the first story. We will not spoil the fun if you haven’t played the first one, but let’s just say that there were some loose ends that could have been addressed in our book. It takes the already interesting story and expands on it, taking place after the events from the first one but also giving you a glimpse into the backstory of it all.

When it comes to the gameplay, it’s everything you could ever imagine. From the fast-paced gunslinging, multiple levels filled with crazy enemies, the need to use different tactics for different villains, and overall – the brutality we all know and love from the series – it’s all there. Like every good sequel, it builds up on what the first title has brought forward and expands on the good ideas. In this one, it’s all about planning, strategizing, and moving through hordes of enemies in style.

Visuals are pretty similar to what we have learned to love in the first game. It’s a mix of pink, blue, and in this case – a tad of yellow, all blended together in the 80s Miami Vice style. With electronic music and the feeling that something is about to slip out of your hands. It’s a great successor to an already amazing title.

Is it as good as the first one? Well, that is debatable. Although it’s a great game, the first title brought something new to the table, as this one is just expanding on the already great ideas from the first one. For fans – for sure. For others – also, but not as much.

• Developer: SUPERHOT

• Release date: July 2017

• Meta Score: 83

• Platforms: PC, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

And finally, we have Superhot. And now, it’s not a roguelike. It’s not pink. But it is in many ways similar to the fantastic Hotline Miami games. The first reason is – it’s a great game. Second – it’s full of grotesque violence, innovative gameplay, and tactical shooting.

The mechanics are pretty simple – you are in some kind of weird corporation (?). You go through many different sequences of levels, where you need to eliminate all the enemies on your way, just like in Hotline Miami. The only difference is – the world moves only when you move. So, you can strategize your approach to defeating your enemies one by one during those short but demanding fighting sequences and create some pretty cool slow-mo sequences of your own.

The gameplay is rather simple; it’s a straightforward shooter, in essence, with the element of slowing the time. Visuals are futuristic and unsettling, as the enemies do not have faces, and the game is constantly trying to tell you that you are doing something bad. Well, that’s Superhot for you.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable game with lots to offer, especially if you enjoy some novelty kind of titles. But the real fun starts if you have a VR set. Then, it’s a 10/10 production that you will constantly try to present to your friends and family. Trust us on this!

So, here we are at the end of our road. Thanks for checking out our article on games like Hotline Miami. We hope that the titles we have provided for you are on par with your expectations and that you had a great time checking them out. We tried to include something for different tastes, from very similar games, like Hotline Miami 2, through novelty titles like Superhot, or something similar yet different, like in the case of The Binding of Isaac. Nevertheless, all of the titles on this list are unique, so if you picked any one of those at random, you would have a good time doing so.

If you liked this article, be sure to check out our great library of office/software/gaming-related texts we have prepared for you. There are plenty of different topics there, so we hope that you will find something extraordinary for yourself out there. That’s it for today; thanks for stopping by, and we will see you in the next one!