How to die less? - a survival guide to The Hong Kong Massacre The Hong Kong Massacre Guide and Walkthrough

Last update: 28 January 2019

The Hong Kong Massacre is a game that requires the player to react quickly and memorize the levels' layout. You will die a lot here. However, you can use techniques that will limit your number of deaths.

• Jumping/leaping/dodging makes you immune to attacks temporarily
• Move to the sides in moments between jumps
• Use the bullet time regularly
• Small red arrows indicate nearby enemies
• Quickly move away from an enemy performing a roll
• You can destroy doors
• Some of the walls are windows
• Unlock the rifle as fast as you can
• Pay attention to your ammo counter
• Complete challenges and upgrade weapons

Jumping/leaping/dodging makes you immune to attacks temporarily

This is the most important information about the game's combat mechanics. Every time you press the jump/leap/dodge button (the action depends on your character's placement and direction of movement), the hero will become invincible for a brief moment.

These moves have a short animation which means that you will have to plan the right moment to use them. Jumps are worth using right before you step into an enemy's field of view. This will protect you from their bullets and give you a chance to shoot. Things get complicated when you are about to deal with a larger group of enemies. You can't perform one jump after another. Try to plan your attacks in such a way that would allow you to avoid enemy fire near the end of your jump or right after the animation ends.

Move to the sides in moments between jumps

Never move towards your enemies by going in a straight line. Try to strafe as often as possible, even when a room's layout (e.g. narrow corridors) will make it more difficult to do. Strafing can save you from numerous deaths. Enemies equipped with a shotgun are the exception - their shots don't travel in a straight line, they cover a much wider area.

Use the bullet time regularly

The bullet time can be activated an unlimited number of times during every mission. Use it a lot, unless you want to complete "No Slowmotion" challenges. The bullet time can only be activated only for a short period of time - pay attention to the red bar displayed in the bottom right corner of the screen. The bullet time will deactivate when you deplete the bar. However, it will regenerate by its own after a moment.

When the bullet time should be used? This mechanic has two functions:

1. Avoiding enemy fire. You can activate the bullet time while you are moving to have an easier time maneuvering between incoming bullets (remember, getting hit once will lead to your death).
2. Helpful in aiming. The bullet time can be very useful in aiming at enemies when you are moving or jumping. This mechanic is also useful in completing "Perfect Aim" challenges (complete a level by hitting only your enemies).

Small red arrows indicate nearby enemies

This is very important because your hero can get attacked and hit by enemies who aren't on the screen. By paying attention to the red arrows, you will be able to prepare yourself for attacks or shoot enemies before they get closer to you.

You should also rely on red arrows when you have managed to kill the majority of enemies in a given level. You will be able to locate the remnants faster and complete a level in a shorter time.

Quickly move away from an enemy performing a roll

Usually, enemies who are under your fire perform standard moves and shoot back, but there are a few exceptions. Some enemies can use rolls similar to yours. They also work in the same way - an enemy who is performing a roll can't get hit at that moment.

The best solution here is to move away from a rolling enemy. You aren't able to hurt that enemy at that moment. Also, you increase the risk of getting shot. Start attacking that enemy after he finishes his roll or stops attacking you during that move.

You can destroy doors

You can destroy every type of doors. Shooting a door is recommended when an enemy is hiding behind it (the picture above shows an example of this situation). You can kill that person without risking your life by entering that room.

Some of the walls are windows

Sadly, due to the top-down perspective, you can have problems with recognizing types of walls. Many of them can have windows which can be used to fire at enemies. Try to memorize their locations during your first few playthroughs of a given level to avoid getting ambushed by an enemy standing in an adjacent room. Windows can also be used to shoot enemies without the need of entering their room.

Unlock the rifle as fast as you can

You start the game with only a pistol which is a very weak weapon. Try to purchase a rifle after you complete the first mission. It costs only 1 challenge point (1 star). With this weapon, you are able to shoot more bullets before you run out of ammo. A rifle also has a much better fire rate.

Pay attention to your ammo counter

Regardless of which weapon you chose to start a level with, use the option to pick up weapons dropped by fallen enemies. You can pick up weapons of the same type or different. Get a new weapon or refill your ammo only when you have a few bullets left. Avoid situations where you are out of ammo - this will put you at a huge disadvantage (The Hong Kong Massacre doesn't have any melee weapons or hand-to-hand combat).

Complete challenges and upgrade weapons

Weapon upgrades increase their efficiency on a battlefield. Also, some weapon upgrades have an impact on your movement speed while you are carrying that weapon, helping you avoid enemy fire. Try to get as many stars as possible in every level - you will be able to unlock new upgrades faster. Both topics have been described on separate pages in this guide.