Forget Vice City, this classic gem is the only game you need to play before GTA 6 is released

A new year has begun and with it comes a calendar that is already packed with exciting game releases. The 2026 series is shaping up to be incredibly strong, and one of the most anticipated games in recent years will make its long-awaited debut: Grand Theft Auto 6. The hype surrounding Rockstar's next game has reached a fever pitch, and at the same time Grand Theft Auto 6 will arrive this year, there is also a lot of caution surrounding the title. GTA 6 has already been delayed twice, and a third is not completely off the table. Whether it launches this year or next, there will be plenty of time to prepare for the release.

With GTA 6 marks the franchise's return to Vice City, many fans may be tempted to jump back in GTA: Vice City and GTA: Vice City Storiesmen det finns faktiskt en klassisk pärla som kan vara ett mycket bättre alternativ att ta som förrätt; and it's not even made by Rockstar. Unless there is another GTA 6 delay, gamers have November to look forward to and the 2012 indie hit Hotline Miami could be the perfect way to prepare for a new version of Rockstar's Miami-inspired crime-ridden world.

Hotline Miami brings a 1980s world of crime and violence to a top-down experience

Hotline Miami Soundtrack Vinyl Cover Art

A top-down shooter can cause some GTA fans to be skeptical, but for those who have been with the series since the beginning, it may feel like an exciting return to form. The first days of GTA was defined by its top-down gameplay, and although it has evolved to be better known as a third-person shooter, Hotline Miami takes the original formula and brings it into a new environment fueled by violence and trippy visuals. The GTA 6 the map is expected to be huge, as it explores both the urban areas of Vice City and the rural fringes, and while it's not an exact replica of Miami and the greater state of Florida, the inspiration is crystal clear. Hotline Miami uses the city as a focal point in a way that pays homage to 80s action movies, similar GTA: Vice Citybut with a more stylistic perspective. Sneaking through corridors and gunning down mobsters looks incredibly cool with a top-down view, and it's a great way to GTA fans to experience this city in a new light.

Every Top-Down GTA game

Grand Theft Auto
GTA: London 1969
GTA: London 1961
Grand Theft Auto 2
Grand Theft Auto Advance
GTA: Chinatown Wars

Hotline Miami's eye-catching aesthetic and gameplay still hold up

For those not familiar with Hotline Miami or simply haven't had time to give the indie title a try, besides its amazing gameplay lies an unforgettable aesthetic steeped in 80s nostalgia. The layouts of each level are fairly simple and straightforward, but the intense colors displayed throughout the story balance the setting. Everything is covered in neon and blood, and as players dive deeper into the game, the battles become more inventive and chaotic. From classic options like melee and guns to using doors to knock out enemies and even using them as human shields, Hotline Miamis gameplay really embraces its B-movie aesthetic. It's hard to find games like GTAand while Hotline Miami definitely feels more like the franchise's early days than the majority of its 2000s offerings, it still captures the same spirit of a story steeped in crime and doing whatever it takes to succeed at a mission.

Hotline Miami was developed by duo Jonatan Söderström and Dennis Wedin over the course of nine months under the name Dennaton game.

A crime story with a hint of mind-bending surreal horror

Hotline Miami It's definitely not a full-on horror game, but there are elements of psychological horror in the mix, which gives the game an extra edge. As the story unfolds, the protagonist Jacket's perception of reality begins to unravel. Even now, it's a choice that gives an unnerving quality to everything. Of course, the amount of gore is disturbing enough, but Jacket's seemingly failing mental state really adds to the disturbing nature of the game. Find games to play before GTA 6 presents plenty of options, but for those looking for something darker than the usual tone of the Rockstar series, Hotline Miamis dip into surrealism mixes a familiar premise with something completely unexpected and disturbing.

Honorable Mention: Hotline Miami's music is the cornerstone of the game

Music can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to selling a game, but it's an important part of bringing a project's world to life, and Hotline Miami absolutely knocks it out of the park with its soundtrack. The heavy synths and programmed drums quickly make you feel like you're in the middle of an 80s action movie. So for players who love to look forward to discovering new music, Hotline Miami is a game that must be experienced. Even today, it still has one of the strongest soundtracks around. Music is an important part of each GTA the world of mail, and Hotline Miami takes the same approach. It's already done GTA 6s music will play a big role in the story, and Hotline Miamis heart-pumping soundtrack can be a great way to remind yourself how important a game's soundtrack is to making a world believable and immersive.

Hotline Miami is more than just a retro-driven killing spree

Spoilers ahead for Hotline Miamis story.

It's no secret Hotline Miami is an incredibly violent game, but it doesn't revel in blood and crime. Instead, many have seen it as a critique of violence and the emptiness of killing. In the end, Jacket's efforts are truly for naught, driving home the message that embracing violence leads nowhere. It is a dark satire, and GTA is no stranger to that kind of social commentary. The overall GTA 6 the storyline is a mystery at the moment, but trailers have already made it clear that the franchise's particular brand of satire will be back in full swing.

Hotline Miami maybe not quite reminiscent of GTAbut it definitely has a common spirit. It's a darker version of the Rockstar franchise's signature themes, and that makes it not only unique, but utterly unforgettable. As the year goes on, there will surely be more GTA 6 rumors, and only time will tell which ones are true or not. Until then, though Hotline Miami remains a fantastic crime story that raises important questions about violence and blindly following a protagonist's lead.