• HLMWadExplorer[github.com] (most up-to-date-version)

Get the latest version here: https://github.com/TcT2k/HLMWadExplorer/releases
We will be using this tool to replace a track from the game.

Open your HLMWadExplorer program.


I think the first time it opens it asks for the directory in which your Hotline Miami 2 copy is based. C:\Users\(USERNAME)\Documents\My Games\HotlineMiami2 is where all your mods will be saved when they're done.

The directory where you want the program to use is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Hotline Miami 2.

(It might not be in Program Files (x86), depending on how you're set up with games. You can easily find the directory by right-clicking Hotline Miami 2 in your Steam library, going to Properties, clicking the third tab called Local Files, and clicking Browse Local Files.)

Go to the upper left and click "File". Scroll down to "Switch Base WAD..." It should open up to the directory you gave in the previous step. If you want to create a music mod, you need to select the "hlm2_music_desktop.wad" file.

Your program should display the following options when properly set to the right .wad file.

NOTE: Attempting to open the "hlm2_patch_desktop.wad" file will cause the HLMWADExplorer program to crash, so don't try to open it.

You'll be bombarded by all the songs from the game, plus a couple secret ones. Only worry about the songs you can choose within the editor. Once you've chosen a song, highlight it.

Because the tracks in the game are all .ogg files, you'll need to have the files you want to mod in the .ogg format. You can easily convert downloaded files into the .ogg format here.[audio.online-convert.com] Alternatively, if conversions there cause issues in-game, you can convert the files here.[media.io]
After converting your file, you're ready to replace it. With the song highlighted, click "Resource" at the top, and choose "Replace..." You will then find the file you wanted for the replacement. After finding and selecting a file, go to "File" and "Save As..." This will then bring up the screen letting you save your actions as a mod, specifically as a .patchwad file. After it is saved, it will ask if you want to open the directory it was saved to. This is useful for checking if it saved to the right directory. Cancel that, and go to "File" and select "Merge Patch..." This is where you will apply the mod to the game. Select the .patchwad file you saved, and let it apply to the game.

Create a level using the level editor and set the music track to the one you changed with the HLMWadExplorer. I recommend you test it and see if the music works before you start putting furniture and enemies down. If it starts and the music is the same old music, you probably didn't do something right. Go back to "C:\Users\(USERNAME)\Documents\My Games\HotlineMiami2\mods" and delete the mod you made, and try again, reading the directions more carefully this time.

If you want to release your mod out to the public and let others mooch off of your success enjoy your content, there are many websites out there that allow you to upload and share your files. I highly suggest using an archiving program (WinRAR, WinZIP, etc...) to collect your files all in one place. I also suggest leaving a readme, despite the fact hardly anyone will read it, just in case some curious fellow wonders who made the mod and whether or not to give credit if they use it in a level and release it.

Here are a couple websites I would upload to if I were to upload any mods related to Hotline Miami 2.

• Hotline Miami Wikia (Mods Section)[editor.wikia.com]
  
• Gamebanana - Hotline Miami 2 Mods[gamebanana.com] (I don't use Gamebanana, nor do I think it will get much publicity there, but if you're aquainted with Gamebanana and already have an account, this is a good option for you.)