Free fan game released on PC
Team Fortress 2andHotline Miamiare an unlikely match, but in the realm of just-go-for-it-and-see-what-sticks fan games, this funky fusion works well enough.Midnight Mercenaries, a top-down action gamereleased for free on Game Jolt, lets you cleave through heavily armed enemies as familiarTF2classes like the Scout, Heavy, and Spy. It’s definitely worth a run-through if you’ve got the time. (Thanks,Rock, Paper, Shotgun.)
Imagine smacking aHotline Miamigoon from afar with a baseball, or unloading a minigun on a room of baddies (then blowing yourself up with a barrel). That’sMidnight Mercenaries.
The creator,GermanPeter, also has an extended playthrough on YouTube (embedded here) if you just want to take a peek without committing to a full install on Windows.
Much like the source material, the action can be frenetic until you get a proper feel for the floor plans and how the AI might react to your plan of attack. Sometimes, you have the right idea, but there’s something off and the whole thing gets derailed. Death can be instantaneous — for you and your foes. And beyond the iconicHotlineMiamiframing,Midnight Mercenariesalso works to replicate the unique kits for eachTF2class.
As much as I often stuck with a shotgun in theHotlinegames, I don’t mind adapting to different playstyles, and that’s kind of the appeal here. Some of the old tricks still work against the super lethal but less-than-bright AI, while other times, depending on the level layout, it’s crucial to work with — not against — your character’s particular set of skills.
It’ll keep you on your toes, but it’s not unfair
According to the developer, the intention is to have “fair enemy placement that prevents enemies from sniping you from off-screen.” There’s also a respawn option, so you can take another crack at the current floor without a ton of pressure. Of course, high score chasing is a major part ofHotline Miami, and that holds true forMidnightMercenariestoo.
The story setup isn’t particularly memorable — I found it hard to buy into, given the characters involved. There’s also no topping the real deal’ssoundtrack. But if you’re looking for familiarHotlineMiamiaction with a neat enoughTF2twist, this is it.
Just watch out for those blended-in bottomless pits. Every dang time!
