raycevik i'll buy you a drink at the bar

OTXO seems aware of its predecessor and is built not to change but to tweak and enhance how the Hotline games played in a way that makes a lot of sense and feel in line with what those original games could have done; albeit some being obviously necessary changes to balance the higher consequences that now come with death. The addition of dodge roll with I-frames (I think?), and straight up health bar are examples.

Even the story of OTXO plays around with memories of Hotline Miami that you might have - though in often very symbolic and more abstract ways. Visually the game robs of the bright color pallets present in Hotline Miami - leaving a stark black on white with splotches of red that is all about contrasts. This all creates a dream-like aesthetic, and indeed: each 'run' through the game's succession of progressively complex combat levels begins with the player character awoken upon washing up on the shore of a beach inhabited by a sailor, a nun, an artist (?) and a person who has the head of a praying mantis.


If you don't mind being sent back to the beginning when you die and enjoy the roguelike / roguelite (there are permanent unlocks that persist between runs) thing - you should really play this game. Especially if you know you enjoy the type of twitchy top down combat that Hotline Miami put a particular feel on. It has its own surreal vibe that can be creepy while having the range to also dish out subtle bits of humor.

It's cool enough that I just sat here and wrote all this, but this rough draft of a review doesnt due OTXO justice -

so, highly recommended.

Many comments state about this is a hotline Miami revisited.
I mean, this may be but this is one of those rare cases in which taking a winning concept and writing a game strongly inspired but with its own vibe is a major success.
This game has its own sound mechanics, well integrated by the lore of the game.
It it nicely hard to master and you have full control on how much to draw from the meta progress.
On my end this is a big yes beyond being a very nice challenge to all the lovers of this genre.