The term “sequel” may now refer to yearly rehashes of the same old gameplay but a few years ago, it took on many other meanings. It could have meant an new innovative experience or the same solid gameplay with some improvements and completely new content. Dennaton seems poised for the latter with Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, its sequel to the ultraviolent top-down action title.
Speaking to PC Gamer, creators Dennis Wedin and Jonaton Söderström stated that, “When we realized that the ‘expansion pack’ was going to be bigger than the first game, we changed it to a full sequel. When you do a sequel it has to be very innovative nowadays—pretty much a whole new game. We wanted to do a sequel like they did with sequels back in the day for people who actually enjoyed the first game and want more, like with Mega Man.
“So, we felt like we should call it Hotline Miami 2, stick to our guns and just give people that like the first game another game that they will enjoy. Not just trying to get a bigger audience, but making a game for us and people who liked the first one.”
However, Hotline Miami 2 will challenge series veterans to learn some new tricks. “In this game you’re going to have to play as a load of different characters. There’s going to be a level for just the fans, just the detective, just the cobra guy, and you’ll have to play as all of them.
“In the first game people would just pick the Tony mask and play the whole game, so in this one we’re forcing you to adapt a bit more. You have to adapt to that character’s ability. Like, for this character I have to have this weapon, or for this character it’s better to use guns, you know?”
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number will be out in the first quarter of 2015 for the PS Vita, PS3, PS4 and PC.