Hotline Miami: How Many Chapters Are in Hotline Miami

Oct 08 2025

Hotline Miami is a top-down action game developed by Dennaton Games and published by Devolver Digital. Set in Miami in the 1980s, players take on the role of Jacket, an assassin who receives orders to kill through mysterious phone calls, embarking on a bloody journey full of illusions and sins.

The game features fast-paced combat, high difficulty, and a retro pixel style and signature synthwave music. This article will introduce the gameplay and how to play the game for beginners.

About Hotline Miami

Hotline Miami is a top-down action game developed by Dennaton Games and published by Devolver Digital. First released in 2012, the game quickly became an indie phenomenon thanks to its classic violent gameplay, fast pace and mysterious neo-noir storyline.

In the game, players will take on the role of Jacket - an assassin who receives missions over the phone, carrying out bloody missions to destroy criminal gangs in Miami. Each mission is a dramatic action sequence, requiring reflexes and precise attack tactics down to the last detail.

Total Levels in Hotline Miami

Hotline Miami has a total of 19 levels (chapters), divided into two main parts of the plot. Each level corresponds to a mission, a setting, and a piece of the overall story of Jacket.

The first levels focus on introducing the gameplay mechanics and the bloody fighting style, while the later levels expand the plot, revealing the mystery of the character's identity, the secret organization behind the calls, and the dark truth about the game world.

Some notable levels include:

Prelude – The Metro: where players get familiar with the controls, pick up weapons, and take down enemies with their bare hands.

Chapter 8 – Push It: the level begins to increase in difficulty with a large number of enemies and a higher reaction speed.

Chapter 16 – Safehouse: marks a turning point in the plot when Jacket begins to doubt the reality around him.

Final Chapter – Showdown: The climactic battle with the Boss and the ending opens up questions about the character's true identity.

Level Structure and Difficulty

Each level in Hotline Miami is divided into several floors or small areas. Players need to clear all enemies before moving to the next area. The difficulty increases with each chapter, forcing players to flexibly use weapons such as knives, sticks, pistols and shotguns.

From chapter 10 onwards, enemies start to react faster, shoot more accurately and attack in formation, making completing the game with only one life a real challenge. However, thanks to the instant restart mechanism, the game still maintains its characteristic fast pace without making players frustrated.

Hotline Miami Beginner's Guide

Hotline Miami is a fast-paced action game that requires players to have good reflexes and tactical thinking. If you are just starting out, here is a guide to help you get acquainted and survive in the chaotic world of Miami in the 1980s.

Get familiar with the control mechanism

The game uses a top-down perspective, so observing the map and enemy positions is a vital factor. Practice moving smoothly with the navigation keys, combining the mouse to aim and attack quickly. Every action requires precision, because just one missed hit can kill you immediately.

Choose the right mask

Each mask in Hotline Miami brings its own skills such as increasing speed, punching harder or reducing footsteps. Newbies should start with the "Tony" mask (instant punch) or "Rasmus" mask (see hidden items) to easily control the situation and get used to the rhythm of the game.

Use your weapons wisely

You can pick up weapons from enemies – from knives, baseball bats to pistols. Prioritize melee weapons in small areas to avoid making noise, and guns should only be used when surrounded. Each weapon has a different range and speed, so experiment to find the style that suits you best.

Look before you attack

Don't rush in blindly. Look at enemy positions, cameras, and doors before you act. A little trick is to open the door to knock out an opponent, then finish them off as soon as they fall. Careful planning will help you get through levels faster and die less.

Take advantage of the quick restart mechanism

Death is inevitable in Hotline Miami. But don't be discouraged – with just one key press, you can play again immediately. See each failure as an opportunity to memorize enemy positions and optimize your strategy for next time.

Complete each level with your own style

The game scores not only based on speed but also on creativity in combat. Try combining different types of weapons, changing masks and attack styles to get higher scores. This is also a way to unlock more items and special rewards in the game.

Tips for overcoming difficult levels in Hotline Miami

To overcome the final chapters, players should observe the map before acting, take advantage of blind spots and melee weapons to avoid making noise. In addition, choosing the right mask such as “Tony” (punches harder) or “Rasmus” (sees hidden item locations) can make a big difference in each playthrough.

Another tip is to memorize enemy locations through each death. Since enemies move in predictable patterns, you can completely “learn” how they react to find the optimal strategy.

FAQ – Hotline Miami Frequently Asked Questions

How many levels does Hotline Miami have?

Hotline Miami has a total of 19 main levels plus 1 hidden level that is unlocked when the player collects enough secret icons in the game. Each level is a separate mission with a setting, enemies, and increasing difficulty, creating a fast-paced and challenging action journey.

Are there any secret levels in Hotline Miami?

Yes. The secret level called “Resolution” is an extended ending to the story. To unlock this level, the player needs to collect all the special masks or puzzle pieces in the previous chapters. This level is a level that explains more about the 50 Blessings organization and the connection between the main characters.

How long does Hotline Miami take to complete?

The average time to complete Hotline Miami is 6–8 hours if played at a normal difficulty level. However, it can take more than 10 hours for players to achieve an S score or collect 100% of the masks. The final stages, especially “Showdown” and “Resolution,” require high skills and good map memorization.

Is there a Hotline Miami 2?

Yes. The sequel, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, was released in 2015, continuing the storyline of the first game and expanding the scale with new characters, weapons, and settings. This part has 25 levels with a significantly higher difficulty, providing a more intense experience for veteran players.

Does Hotline Miami have replay modes or special challenges?

After completing the game, players can replay each stage to achieve higher scores, unlock new masks, or try out different fighting styles. In addition, the gaming community has created many fan-made challenges such as no-gun run, speedrun, or perfect stealth, keeping the game fresh and interesting.

Conclusion

Hotline Miami has a total of 19 main levels and 1 secret level, creating a fast-paced and stylish action experience. Each chapter is a challenge that requires quick reflexes, tactical thinking and high adaptability.

If you are a fan of retro action games or are looking for a game with dramatic "die - learn - win" gameplay, then Hotline Miami is definitely a memorable experience.