Danish IO Interactive has revived the iconic Agent 47, delivering a reimagined experience through episodic releases.
Planning and discretion are key; mistakes are swiftly punished.
The Hitman concept has established itself over time, even inspiring film adaptations featuring Timothy Olyphant and Rupert Friend (Homeland‘s Quinn) as the enigmatic Agent 47. Building on the success of the mobile title Hitman GO, developer IO Interactive presents a sequel/reboot titled simply Hitman (akin to the Doom reboot, also named Doom). Reports indicate that the project’s scope led to its division into episodic releases, a format popularized by Telltale Games with titles like Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and The Wolf Among Us, as well as Sierra’s King’s Quest reboot.
Hitman (2016) draws heavily from its predecessors. New players will find it to be a stealth-action adventure reminiscent of Assassin’s Creed, with setup elements echoing MGS V: The Phantom Pain. Discretion and finesse are paramount; a direct, aggressive approach will likely result in swift failure. Hitman features a dense environment populated with enemies, guards, security cameras, and environmental hazards. Success requires strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and exploiting the multiple solutions available for each mission.
A route to infiltrate the fashion show…
This exemplifies the appeal of IO’s latest title. The initial episode presents three scenarios: two introductory “training courses” and a primary mission set at a Paris fashion show. The objective consistently involves eliminating one or two targets. As Agent 47, players must carefully plan their approach to avoid detection and failure. A range of elimination methods are available, from direct engagement to more subtle tactics such as poisoning drinks, staged accidents, or using a garrote. Neutralizing individuals and assuming their identities provides opportunities for infiltration and manipulation; for example, a disguised mechanic can quickly become a police officer.
The AI generally performs adequately. Given the high density of NPCs, perfect awareness would be unrealistic. While certain security personnel can identify disguised agents, there are instances where AI behavior breaks immersion. For example, guards may fail to react to obvious intrusions. Similarly, occasional bugs and loading times could benefit from optimization in future episodes.
Overall, the episodic format of Hitman offers an engaging experience. The structure encourages players to explore each scenario thoroughly, experimenting with different approaches to unlock achievements. The episodic release also allows for staggered investment, although purchasing the complete season offers a more cost-effective solution. While occasional glitches and the need to restart after minor errors can be frustrating, Hitman delivers moments of intense, strategic gameplay, providing a compelling approximation of the professional assassin’s life.
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