The more "mainstream" last game somewhat divided the community. Its not my favorite entry either, but the negativity is a bit overblown and Absolution certainly proved to be a clear stepping stone for this refresh of the series. The old canon still stands btw. but I noticed that a few of the targets aren't "evil", which was nearly always the case in previous games. The game is a bit more "goofy" too and could easily be reworked as a spy caper. The story is less focused on this time around. Not that Hitman games ever managed to tell a good one, but this tale is overall fine. The main selling point is obviously the finely tuned gameplay and the levels are now more open than ever. The huge crowds are another plus and now feel less of a gimmick. The game is actually a huge technical accomplishment, outside of the again janky animations, and the levels all feature astonishing attention to detail. The levels may even be a bit too huge and I would have broken some of them into 2 separate ones. I understand that the developers want the player to replay them multiple times, with changing conditions but less is sometimes more. The way the game locks away the new weekly targets after that very week is clearer misstep. Especially as you only get 1 try but the high amount of user created level remixes somewhat makes up for that. There is a lot of content to be enjoyed in this first "season" and playing though the game over 2 days felt like binge watching a Netflix show. I have full trust in the developers to deliver another quality follow-up and the retail version of the game is the best Hitman entry yet. I just hope that the "Bonus Episodes" will rely on more levels, as Sapienza ended with with 3 separate missions assigned to it. The game is lastly a great entry point to the series. 9/10
9 Reviews
Suited and booted.
Pjtaylor-96-13804426 March 2020
'Hitman (2016)' reboots its classic franchise, aiming to recapture the open-plan feeling of earlier titles instead of the more linear - though still good - vibe of 'Hitman: Absolution (2012)'. In almost every way, it succeeds. The game is staggering in the amount of ways it an be approached, with large and labyrinthine levels that take place all over the globe. Within each map, there are a variety of varied yet believable areas - some of which are restricted and tightly guarded - that come together to form completely cohesive experiences, a microcosm of the wider world. From fashion shows packed with literally hundreds of people to clinics littered with only the most elite, the locations do a fantastic job at keeping you on your toes, tossing you more opportunities than you know what to do with. Even though there aren't tons of them, each area can be completed in a myriad of ways. The base mechanics always remain the same so it's up to you how you use them. It's all remarkably intuitive. On top of this, the game provides more scripted moments that you can opt into if you want a more guided experience. While perhaps not as satisfying as a naturally occurring success, these sequences are spectacular in and of themselves and are surprisingly rewarding if you stumble upon them yourself. Going for the coveted 'silent assassin' rating is one way to ensure bang for your buck; you have to study your target, learn their behaviours and strike in whichever way suits the situation before blending into the background once more. The piece makes particularly good use of the disguise system, often setting things up as a sort of puzzle that requires you to get a chain of costumes to move through the level unnoticed. Of course, you could always go for a 'suit only' run, which is where things get really interesting (if perhaps more traditional). One of the game's most major downsides is that it was released episodically, a format which isn't inappropriate but which saps the energy from an initial play-through. Those with spotty internet access may now opt to buy the disc version, which comes with all previous DLC, but a download is required for all levels but one and the game requires you to be 'online' in order to save your stats and challenge progress. This 'always online' angle is troublesome, as it prevents you from playing a single-player game if your wifi goes down. Still, most people won't have a consistent issue with their wifi. The game's story is quite oblique, delivered via beautifully rendered but elusive cut-scenes in-between missions. It's good enough but nothing more, never really feeling like it relates directly to your actions. The pre-mission debriefs, on the other had, do a good job of preparing you for the task, aptly coming up with a reason why your often cartoonishly evil targets must be eliminated. The thing is about gameplay, first and foremost. It's immersive, impressive and, most importantly, fun. The game really is breathtaking at times. It's a joy to dig into. 9/10
At times wooden and repetitive
kluseba20 January 2019
Hitman is stealth video game developed by IO Interactive and published by Square Enix. It's the sixth entry in the Hitman franchise. The game consists of six episodes and is also described as the first season of this franchise reboot.
The six episodes follow contract killer Agent 47 who has to eliminate targets all around the world from a fashion show in Paris over the dusty streets of Marrakesh to a private hospital in Hokkaido. While the locations are stunning and diversified, the different missions are sometimes repetitive and tedious. Potential bonus episodes and online content can't hide the fact that the game is missing a coherent flow which decreases the long-term factor significantly. Instead of playing the entire first season all at once, it's recommanded to play one episode in its entirety and to take a break of a few weeks to rediscover Hitman's universe again.
Just like the other entries of the franchise and even the two movies, the new Hitman reboots has massive ups and downs. If you want to play single coherent stealth video game episodes, Hitman can occasionally provide some solid entertainment. If you are however looking for a game with an intriguing story that connects the different episodes and original twists, you will have to look elsewhere. In the end, the new Hitman reboot is only for long-time fans of the franchise.
The six episodes follow contract killer Agent 47 who has to eliminate targets all around the world from a fashion show in Paris over the dusty streets of Marrakesh to a private hospital in Hokkaido. While the locations are stunning and diversified, the different missions are sometimes repetitive and tedious. Potential bonus episodes and online content can't hide the fact that the game is missing a coherent flow which decreases the long-term factor significantly. Instead of playing the entire first season all at once, it's recommanded to play one episode in its entirety and to take a break of a few weeks to rediscover Hitman's universe again.
Just like the other entries of the franchise and even the two movies, the new Hitman reboots has massive ups and downs. If you want to play single coherent stealth video game episodes, Hitman can occasionally provide some solid entertainment. If you are however looking for a game with an intriguing story that connects the different episodes and original twists, you will have to look elsewhere. In the end, the new Hitman reboot is only for long-time fans of the franchise.
Best Hitman Game
mjd89593 July 2018
This game is, by far, the best Hitman game I've ever played (second to Blood Money). You'll see/hear a lot of people complaining about how quickly you'll die, if shot at, or that you can't really assault rush any missions - that isn't how you're supposed to play. It's purely stealth, 100%. Another complaint people will have is the lack of missions. Each missions, if you take your time, will take awhile. There's tons to collect, explore, and discover in this game. It's truly a snadbox stealth game and definitely worth buying if you're a fan of stealth, or just gaming in general.
Honest review from yours truly
Dante4711 September 2018
Well I'm going to write this because it doesn't have enough. This game is excellent. It's gameplay is smooth, sounds and music is on point, controls are smooth and easy, fun factor is through the roof! If your a fan of the other games then this one will not (should not) disappoint. I've had yet to not like a Hitman game. This game has it all like mjd859 states, exploring, collect, and you can replay and try it a different way. I've also heard people complain you die to quick if you don't go stealth. um I do that myself and do die but then again theres times I don't.....so I don't know what to say about that. Buy this game!!! lol
I skipped this game
ThunderKing628 July 2020
I skipped this game due to the phony download crap. That means I didn't play a hitman game for over 6 years.
Anyways... Hitman was a step up up up compared to their brain-dead absolution. The stages and ways to kill victims are very fun and plentiful .
The graphics, animation, gameplay is perfect. Story, dialogue, mission freedom is magnificent. 47 is still the silent killer that we love.
Verdict: It's great to be back in business.
Anyways... Hitman was a step up up up compared to their brain-dead absolution. The stages and ways to kill victims are very fun and plentiful .
The graphics, animation, gameplay is perfect. Story, dialogue, mission freedom is magnificent. 47 is still the silent killer that we love.
Verdict: It's great to be back in business.
👍👍
vincentnlagace6 October 2020
If you are a casual gamer you will hate this game
kaefab19 March 2017
First off there is no difficulty so you get what you have, also i have played Absolution close to 100 times and enjoyed it so much, in this one you barely get a story, the auto aim is awful, it aims way past the target. The way to select your weapons is crap and you die after 2 gun shot which makes the game even more frustrating...........................
If you are a casual gamer or expecting a fun story like absolution think again this is not it, its a huge step backward, good thing i paid only half price for it.
If you are a casual gamer or expecting a fun story like absolution think again this is not it, its a huge step backward, good thing i paid only half price for it.
rushed and poorly thought out near the end
talllwoood1312 April 2022
Is this the best hitman game ever? No. I'm no blood money purist either because clearly that game has shown its age. This one is absolutely quantity over quality. Every level is massive, diverse, somewhat lively and a step in the right direction than some forgetful B action movie the previous game was. They learned a lot from that experience and when time came to make this they didn't do a horrible job for the most part.
There is a ton to do if you're going for 100% if you get the game of the year edition. The escalation challenges go from fun to ridiculous really quick. There feels like 1000 things to do in the game so this is giving DK64 on N64 a run for its money.
The stealth mechanics improved from absolution.. but.. The big but 70% of the time if you are about to get spotted you can run. Yet in the earlier games such as 2 and contracts you weren't allowed to run as it would gain suspicion. There is no metal detectors, targets can get knocked out and stay knocked out giving very little challenge. The video cameras are a joke on normal difficulty, they just give you an excuse to run back and dispose of the cameras. That's it. Where as on professional you HAVE to destroy them and if you get caught doing anything illegal you're compromised. I love the fact that blood on clothes ruins the disguises as well on the harder difficulty and Agent 47 does talk to quite a few more people so David Bateson who voices Agent 47 earned his pay cheque this time around. You can also pacify targets by choking them even if they have seen your face and knock people out with blunt objects. There is very little to do with syringes in this game yet they can be unlocked later in the game by doing some challenges.
On one hand you've got more to do than just rush through in about an hour or so if you know the answer to every puzzle it feels like for all the levels. Yet there is WAY too much to do. I thought watchdogs 1 (Ubisoft) was bad. Padded with tedious tasks to do. Most levels feel too big where all 47 does is run around and unless you know the challenges some of them you just wander aimlessly. By the time I got to Japan the first time as I wanted to see what happens in the story as usually I like to solve every puzzle and get a silent assassin but it got so annoying that I just plowed through everyone.
After Morocco the game felt rushed. Bangkok they placed most key items VERY poorly. Hardly anywhere to stash bodies and the key items were placed in the worst possible spots, sure I could bring a lock pick or something automatic with a suppressor to take the door out but that ruins the fun. The ways to kill the enemies for the most part is satisfying but the level design for the suites and a few other things drove me nuts. There is an easter egg and possibly challenge as it was in Hitman 2 that you have to wait 10 minutes and 5 seconds for this one man to appear. Yeah how about no.
Everyones apparent favorite level or so I was to believe in this game on youtube was Colorado and I thought it was boring to say the least. Some argue and compare it to "a new life" where you take out the former mob member in a suburbs. There are too many targets in the level too. If I wanted to murder lots of people I'd just play GTA. I wish they did a few smaller levels and gave you one target like the first two levels. There is one last challenge I have to do and it's a broken mess that i hope someone got fired over. Taste your own medicine I had to attempt like 10 or 15 times in the span of two days. It's poorly described and even more poorly thought out. They are possible to do but way too difficult. Colorado reminds me of a rehashed version of that level you got to take 3 nuns out in the corn field. Just that is a much better designed level and it has way better designed challenges. I'd rather do Angel Of Death 2 if memory serves me right being the toughest challenge in Absolution than the scarecrow ones in this game.
Professional difficulty on the Paris and Italy levels in particular they have the courage to move certain items around and do other things to make your life miserable. The game should have stuck with one difficulty as to my understanding doing all the levels on professional you can only complete 2 or so challenges at a time. Thankfully they corrected this in Hitman 2. Some you get a few at a time such as suit only, no evidence and whatever. Certain challenges you wander aimlessly and at times there's not enough red herrings. It's just too obvious to too cryptic.
Last but not least, aiming in the game i could never get right. I adjusted the sensitivity of my controller when i found a setting that absolutely worked for every other game. Resident evil 4 to metal gear solid 5 and not this. The mouse is usually my only option for a few challenges such as taking out Jordan Cross from another balcony. Thankfully you can get a sniper rifle that you can slow down time. The weapon selection is quite poor too. There are gadgets to make you feel like james bond but for the most part i wish that the pistol and a few other signature items could be upgraded instead with money like blood money instead of having to go to missions level 10 - 20 to get stuff or complete specific challenges. This isn't goldeneye on n64, give 47 some cash instead of all these slightly different guns. 47 Should just be able to craft the guns into stuff that we are using in that menu. Plus a fire rate button and the ability to take the suppressor off.
The story is pretty dull, like all hitman games. I play it for the action but there's probably 20 minutes maximum of cut scenes and dialogue it feels like. Get this on sale, don't pay full price this one was somewhat of a disappointment. This at best is a DLC. Get it on sale with Hitman 2 and just play it on Hitman 3 if that makes any sense so it feels like a complete game.
There is a ton to do if you're going for 100% if you get the game of the year edition. The escalation challenges go from fun to ridiculous really quick. There feels like 1000 things to do in the game so this is giving DK64 on N64 a run for its money.
The stealth mechanics improved from absolution.. but.. The big but 70% of the time if you are about to get spotted you can run. Yet in the earlier games such as 2 and contracts you weren't allowed to run as it would gain suspicion. There is no metal detectors, targets can get knocked out and stay knocked out giving very little challenge. The video cameras are a joke on normal difficulty, they just give you an excuse to run back and dispose of the cameras. That's it. Where as on professional you HAVE to destroy them and if you get caught doing anything illegal you're compromised. I love the fact that blood on clothes ruins the disguises as well on the harder difficulty and Agent 47 does talk to quite a few more people so David Bateson who voices Agent 47 earned his pay cheque this time around. You can also pacify targets by choking them even if they have seen your face and knock people out with blunt objects. There is very little to do with syringes in this game yet they can be unlocked later in the game by doing some challenges.
On one hand you've got more to do than just rush through in about an hour or so if you know the answer to every puzzle it feels like for all the levels. Yet there is WAY too much to do. I thought watchdogs 1 (Ubisoft) was bad. Padded with tedious tasks to do. Most levels feel too big where all 47 does is run around and unless you know the challenges some of them you just wander aimlessly. By the time I got to Japan the first time as I wanted to see what happens in the story as usually I like to solve every puzzle and get a silent assassin but it got so annoying that I just plowed through everyone.
After Morocco the game felt rushed. Bangkok they placed most key items VERY poorly. Hardly anywhere to stash bodies and the key items were placed in the worst possible spots, sure I could bring a lock pick or something automatic with a suppressor to take the door out but that ruins the fun. The ways to kill the enemies for the most part is satisfying but the level design for the suites and a few other things drove me nuts. There is an easter egg and possibly challenge as it was in Hitman 2 that you have to wait 10 minutes and 5 seconds for this one man to appear. Yeah how about no.
Everyones apparent favorite level or so I was to believe in this game on youtube was Colorado and I thought it was boring to say the least. Some argue and compare it to "a new life" where you take out the former mob member in a suburbs. There are too many targets in the level too. If I wanted to murder lots of people I'd just play GTA. I wish they did a few smaller levels and gave you one target like the first two levels. There is one last challenge I have to do and it's a broken mess that i hope someone got fired over. Taste your own medicine I had to attempt like 10 or 15 times in the span of two days. It's poorly described and even more poorly thought out. They are possible to do but way too difficult. Colorado reminds me of a rehashed version of that level you got to take 3 nuns out in the corn field. Just that is a much better designed level and it has way better designed challenges. I'd rather do Angel Of Death 2 if memory serves me right being the toughest challenge in Absolution than the scarecrow ones in this game.
Professional difficulty on the Paris and Italy levels in particular they have the courage to move certain items around and do other things to make your life miserable. The game should have stuck with one difficulty as to my understanding doing all the levels on professional you can only complete 2 or so challenges at a time. Thankfully they corrected this in Hitman 2. Some you get a few at a time such as suit only, no evidence and whatever. Certain challenges you wander aimlessly and at times there's not enough red herrings. It's just too obvious to too cryptic.
Last but not least, aiming in the game i could never get right. I adjusted the sensitivity of my controller when i found a setting that absolutely worked for every other game. Resident evil 4 to metal gear solid 5 and not this. The mouse is usually my only option for a few challenges such as taking out Jordan Cross from another balcony. Thankfully you can get a sniper rifle that you can slow down time. The weapon selection is quite poor too. There are gadgets to make you feel like james bond but for the most part i wish that the pistol and a few other signature items could be upgraded instead with money like blood money instead of having to go to missions level 10 - 20 to get stuff or complete specific challenges. This isn't goldeneye on n64, give 47 some cash instead of all these slightly different guns. 47 Should just be able to craft the guns into stuff that we are using in that menu. Plus a fire rate button and the ability to take the suppressor off.
The story is pretty dull, like all hitman games. I play it for the action but there's probably 20 minutes maximum of cut scenes and dialogue it feels like. Get this on sale, don't pay full price this one was somewhat of a disappointment. This at best is a DLC. Get it on sale with Hitman 2 and just play it on Hitman 3 if that makes any sense so it feels like a complete game.
See also
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