“Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number” attempts to improve on the foundation that was created with the original. The three most important facets of the “Hotline Miami” franchise are very clear: a stellar soundtrack, fast paced gameplay and a more embryonic story.

The soundtrack and gameplay were there but the story tried to do too much and just ended up detracting from the overall experience. The frantic violent gameplay which “Hotline Miami” is known for is still present in “Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number,” it is as agonizingly addictive as ever. Each stage is rife with bad guys and the objective is to defeat all the enemies in the level.

What makes “Hotline Miami” different is any time you get hit you die, and the level starts over. There are certain amounts of save points but these are few and far between. This adds a level of depth to the game because you have to strategically plan your attacks. Dying is part of the experience in “Wrong Number.” This system takes some getting used to but once you do the game becomes much better.

The gameplay was also altered with different mechanics and fighting styles. Instead of having one central character with different masks to equip him and with different power-ups or weapons, there is a multitude of different characters each with their own set of skills and traits.

One of the characters is a writer covering the killings in the game. When you take control of him in the game, he doesn’t kill the people in the level. Instead, you have to get on top of each enemy and knock them out which takes more time than just killing them. This again causes you to rethink how to go about beating these levels.

Some of these changes are frustrating and break the immersion of the game. There are also some glitches where enemies get stuck in walls and kill you without you being able to kill them, which is extremely frustrating.

The style of the game remains vastly unchanged from the original “Hotline Miami.” The pixelated top down view of the levels and vibrant colors add to the game’s overall package. The game has a very vintage feel. The pause menu also represents the time period. When you pause the game, the sound goes away and an oscillating white line representing the pausing of a VHS tape is set in.

The driving synthetic and electronic beats add to the stylistic noir of the game. Each level is enhanced tenfold by the music added to it. The soundtrack is like as if it was ripped from a 1980s Disc Jockey’s vinyl collection. The haunting electronic tracks add an ominous and driving tone complimenting the gameplay perfectly. The “Wrong Number” soundtrack, aside from a few songs, is one of the best collections of obscure electronic music ever compiled.

In terms of story, “Wrong Number” attempts too many things at once causing it to lose its over-arching effectiveness. The story is very intertwined, following at least four different storylines throughout the game. It is very hard to tell a cognitive story with so many different story arcs, which is apparent in the way the story was presented.

In the end, there is a nod to the frantic nature of the story with everybody clambering to get their piece of the action in terms of money, fame and respect. It was trying to convey that no matter where your life takes you it all ends the same way. The ending of the game was very powerful.

In terms of story, the first “Hotline Miami” was very sparse with details, adding to the mystique and intrigue which enhanced the story. In “Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number,” the creators spread out the experience instead of telling one central story which they shouldn’t have done.

Overall, the game is a delight to play. The battles are hectic and bloody and the soundtrack adds a sense of urgency and grandeur which would otherwise be lost. The only place the game suffers is in the convoluted way the story is presented. But, this adds to the ending and the overall theme of the game.

With a $15 price tag this game is definitely worth a look for the arcade electronic style enthusiast but be prepared for something different.