Set in modern Sourcemodding community, the mod revolves primarily around YOU, a battle-hardened Modder who has returned into modmaking to continue the work on his project. Experience the Sourcemodding portrayed as 3D Hotline-Miami-inspired campaign about psychological difficulties and philosophy of people that try their best at keeping Valve's games alive.
I've seen so many Hotline Miami recreations in Source to be honest, so it didn't impress me very much. However, it's probably the most polished one of all of them. The cut scenes are great, very much like the original. Visuals are ok, could've been better (to be objective, the lighting is bland, there could've been more detalisation), the level design is alright (almost no verticality, enemy placement etc), but it tries to be HM-like so it works I guess. Welp, the gameplay is overall fun, unforgiving in a good Hotline Miami way.
About the story, well, lots to say.
Since it almost completely tries to recreate the HM composition, it is not very original. The whole gimmick here is to create a parody (or reference) to the existing Source community, and base the story around one member of that community, who became sick of it.
And it didn't do it very well.
The thing is, satire must be subtle, but noticeable with hints, with neat references and parodies, not straightforward and tasteless like here. Therefore, a lot of people in the community found it offensive, and it's understandable. If it was thought out smarter, it wouldn't be treated like this. But the way it is now, it looks like some guy with mental illness tries to express his anger in a mod about killing people. So, all the problems it has created are on you.
Perfectly personifies what is wrong with the source community in general. Those who dislike this mod for its story either misunderstood what was being brought to the table or are apart of the problem plaguing source.
A Half-Life 2 Modification that implements well the Hotline Miami gradients and vibes, amazing music that goes well with the gameplay and the Cutscenes.
The gameplay itself is relatively simple: Grab, Point, Shoot, Steal. Each map having 2 floors of eternal pain. Yes, the mod wants you to learn by constantly dying until you learn what you're doing wrong and/or you're not enough fast about whatever you're doing wrong, quite frustrating, right? Not to mention that the Engine may suffer Game Crashes because of too many effects or any other reasons such as Dynamic Lights. The gameplay is overall okay, simple.
Now, about the part that quite stirred up the hive as of recently, in regards to the Uncensored Version of the game. People that got to play it are well aware about what it was all about. But it's mainly about the Good Old Political matters that this Community's been suffering for a couple of years now, Now, why I bring that up? Because one of the levels named VMF-FACTORIES which was rather suggesting/targeting a certain group of interest in this matter, where the group was rather manslaughter in a FPS game, shocking so far? Perhaps the allegations about both groups of interest taking part in it took it too serious, haven't they? Probably they have, but I get their point of view as well about thinking that the creator is insane or whatever. Not at all, the Creator rather expressed his frustration, but I believe this frustration was taken way too far, in a FPS game that's meant about killing. Perhaps, there should of been a disclaimer on that regards specifying that "All groups of interest that were mentioned in and/or rather been assumed in the manslaughter from the 2 Levels are not meant to encourage killing and/or any other forms of harm that may bring to the members of the groups of interest", That may also worked instead of censuring it entirely, right? Theoretically speaking, considering the fact that the creator got contacted by the Mod DB staff for the removal of any affiliation and evidence of those 2 groups in the mentioned Levels, wouldn't that also mean that no one on Mod DB can no longer use existing groups? Given the rules that were enforced upon this mod? The whole situation is also conflicting and bright a spotlight on the confusion that it has created on whenever one can do this or that at this point.
So, returning to the story. The story want mainly meant to portrait the struggles that a Gold Source/Source Modifier has to deal within a daily basis to bring up content to it's fans/community, which it has done more than well as a matter of fact.
Hey, mod, u talkin to me? u talkin to me? who the hell else ar you talkin?
Finally, mod about modding community meta. Actual drama, topical issues. Some author's view about small inclusive communities that can be full of filth inside. I guess, author already persona non grata in some ideological literary club masked as digital-art community.
Also, i have no idea how author made this hotline-style effetcs, letters, dynamic neon gradients on level background. It is beutifull shell for story and gameplay. Gameplay: so hard! And required try-try-try again, but tecnically, levels are not many and you can finish mod in single act.
Oh yes, be ready to ragequit when your dance of dead will be broken becouse door is too narrow.
Hell yeahh!
Good...
Drama aside, this definitely feels like Hotline Miami in a Source Engine. Had a lot of fun with this one.
класс, крутой геймплей, выхватил адреналина
The music choice is great, and the gameplay is just pure adrenaline
Hahaha. What a story Mark. Nice gameplay, i've had a blast.