Hitman: Absolution

Quite an anomaly in the Hitman catalogue, Absolution plays very differently to the previous games. You'll experience action sequences and level designs that would better fit the Arkham games, and it's hard not to notice that Agent 47 is forcibly steered down many more courses of action than we're used to seeing. Still, there's enough of what we enjoyed about the earlier Hitman games to please fans of the franchise.

Not at all following up on the one actual bit of setup that they've been dangling in front of us since 2004, Diana, your former handler, commits the cardinal sin of the profession... she starts the story with an unwieldy exposition dump(why couldn't some of that have happened prior entries?)... oh, and she betrays the agency's trust and destroys it. Benjamin Travis(Boothe, intimidating as ever) rebuilds it, and sends 47 out to take her out, because he hadn't gotten to that chapter of "what not to do in a piece of fiction". I won't tell you if she dies or not, but we do finally learn a little about her... like... well... she gets a face! She... she has some junk in the trunk... ah, and, she was hiding Victoria, a young woman who the ICA(who are no longer living up to the International in that... Blood Money at least had one bit outside of the US, and other than that went different places in that country, now, I guess in response to the TSA, you're always in either gloomy, slummy Chicago or the humid, hick-y Midwest; you stay in the same area for so long that you get sick to death of your surroundings) were grooming to become like, well, our anti-hero. He sympathizes, and hides her, taking out people to protect her, and going against his former employers... and they're not the only ones hunting him: he's framed for murder, and the police are looking for him with a vague description of him, meaning that you have to hide from everyone. You hide(some behind smoke(and, once or twice, in plants... yeah, if they didn't have more places to use it, why'd they bother?)) more than, or as much as you, blend in(you more or less choose which to use, at least at times), and to aid in that, we get a cover mechanic(it's common these days), one fairly similar to Deus Ex: Human Revolution. You can move all the way around that piece of furniture, etc., you're hugging, with ease, you can roll from one to the other if they face one another, and this can be used for the gunplay, as well, complete with blindfire. You can use Point Shooting(if you haven't been seen yet), as well, where you tag where and who to take out, and see it done in a cinematic fashion. This does cost Instinct, one of the best features of this. There is a meter of it, and it's refilled by progression. Other uses? Predict patrol paths, see enemy positions through walls(yes, you do also have a person-only radar(replacing the map and intel... because, hey, why not get rid of trademarks that give this its unique identity?), it can still be useful), get hints, and finally, trick someone in the same clothes as you're wearing as a disguise(keeping the tension intact, whilst still making that a benefit... it's the greatest balance of that so far), if you're close to them(and only for several seconds!). You can now dual-wield any pistol or SMG, as soon as you've picked up at least two of the same type(and can choose whether or not to, as well as take silencer on/off), and can carry pistols, SMGs/assault rifle/shotgun(only one), your Silverballers, a sniper(no case, though, instead, it and every other two-handed one, hides comfortably in your clothes... I guess that Italian suit was created by Guybrush Threepwood's tailor; because, hey, why not get two birds with one stone? Beloved aspect? Nah! At least someone finally taught him to hold his friggin' breath, and that can be done regardless of what you're armed with), your fibrewire(which must be laced with cyanide, it's got a "touch of death"... at least it goes directly into dragging the corpse, and hiding it is easier, combining hiding places for that with, well, the ones for you, room for two people now, and you can be one of them) and one item. What's that last one? Anything from a brick to a vase. They can be used for one up-close(except for the ones that are knives) assassination or thrown(with a good system) to create distractions(and some of them break from that!). While levels are tiny(one mission often made up of several of them; repetitively sneaking to and from where you waste the target... and you're too often stumbling onto even Silent Assassin kills, there is no patience required, no forming and carefully executing a plan), they are full of atmosphere, and the graphics are beautiful - particle FX, weather, lighting, everything. Controls expect you to remember way too many keys(yup, coddling console users, what else is new), I haven't seen this many that you, well, forget the ones you use less, for over half a decade. I thought we were streamlining? At least do a "switch" button that activates a secondary set of abilities, like the Assassin's Creed series. Heck, they're already taking so many notes from those... disappear in a crowd(...how's someone that distinctive, not to mention, wanted by the cops, supposed to...?), use a "hiding place"(that are all different, and thus, impossible to spot until you're right in front of them, which is a theme in this one), and both are all static, even though the latter could easily be mobile. With the 5 difficulty settings, the top one removing the HUD(other than the crosshairs) and offering no aid, this provides a challenge for newcomers and veterans alike. Hand-to-hand combat is QTE's, and though learning them is a tad awkward(prompts shown before, during, *and* after you have to press the button...), it's a lot of fun once you get into it(and yes, tougher foes are better at it, and miss a few hits, they'll knock your ass out! Using play-to-create to allow you to craft and share your own, well, Contracts(the one truly worthwhile thing in this). There is a lot of strong language, bloody, violent and/or disturbing content and sexuality in this. I recommend this to fans of stealth(not of Hit-man). 7/10

I'm not a huge fan of stealth games, nor have I played the other Hit-man games, being a guns blazing kind of gamer. However, I gave this a try and I was amazed at how much fun it was to skulk around and being rewarded for killing only your target. The stealth isn't particularly difficult, especially on easier difficulties. Regarding the other aspects, I loved the atmospheric environments, the interesting conversations you can eavesdrop on and the dozens of ways the game presents you with for eliminating your targets and eluding everyone else, including the guns blazing way. Running and gunning takes all the fun out of it though and you'd miss out on the great rewards. All in all, solid game that I'm proud to own.

As a longtime Hitman fan, I have journeyed from the series' somewhat flawed beginnings to its more polished entries, all while reveling in the thrills of stealth and strategy. So, when I came across trailers for Hitman Absolution, I was immediately hooked. I bought it right at release, and honestly, the mixed reviews from some self-proclaimed fans caught me off guard.

Absolution shifts the focus slightly while retaining the core essence of Agent 47. This time around, the story revolves around our genetically engineered assassin protecting a teenage girl with similar enhancements from various nefarious entities, including a private military company and criminal syndicates. This narrative twist adds depth and urgency as you try to stay one step ahead of those who wish to exploit her potential.

Unlike previous entries that sent you globetrotting through diverse locations to eliminate high-profile targets, Absolution connects its levels through a cohesive story arc. You're now not just a cold-blooded killer; you're on the defensive, which dramatically changes the gameplay dynamic. The level design reflects this new approach, where covering tracks and eliminating threats become paramount in your mission to keep the girl safe. I found comparisons to Splinter Cell: Conviction fitting, as both games encourage a more reactive, strategic style of play.

What I appreciated most was the preservation of the series' trademark mechanics. Sure, you can expect action to be part of the experience, but Absolution doesn't stray into over-the-top territory like Gears of War. Rather, it still respects the delicate balance of stealth, where one wrong move could mean the end for Agent 47. It also felt refreshing and original, which is no small feat for a franchise with such a storied history.

Visually, Absolution holds up well, even over a decade since its release. The graphics, while dated, still deliver an immersive experience, and the sound design is stellar. The gun effects are particularly impressive, even if, in my stealthy playthroughs, I didn't get to enjoy them as much as I would have liked.

Voice acting remains solid, with Agent 47 once again being brought to life by the same iconic voice, contributing to the character's stoic and detached demeanor. While some might argue that the evolution of the series should keep it in a more traditional rut, I liken it to a band that has changed its sound while still retaining their identity. Absolution, in my opinion, is the pinnacle of the series, combining nostalgia with innovation in a fantastic way.

It's unfortunate that Hitman Absolution didn't receive the recognition it deserved; I often find myself craving a direct sequel that expands on this experience. For its refreshing gameplay and thought-provoking story, I give Hitman Absolution a solid 9/10. If you're looking for a stealth game that allows for clever tactics and engaging narratives, look no further.

So here's the thing. A lot of people have similar complaints including: the game is too short, agent 47 is too flat and the gameplay is repetitive. All those things are vastly misunderstood.

The gameplay is actually not a one trick pony. The player himself chooses his own style. This can be "Rambo" style where you can shoot everyone on sight or you can see the level like a real world chess play. Let me explain. All the non-playable-characters (NPC's) move around the level (chess board) in a certain pattern unless you interact with the environment. This can be through interacting with NPC's and/or with items and traps. You can also try not to discover these patterns and just use stealthy approaches. Or, you can combine ALL of these play styles and switch between them whenever you want or see fit. And let's not forget about the signature kills that are little puzzles by themselves. That actually debunks the argument of the gameplay being repetitive. It's actually quite varied.

Depending on your play style the game can be short or quite long. If you're a perfectionist and restart at checkpoints every time you got spotted then you got your hands full. If you're some impatient monkey only playing Rambo style you will finish this game relatively fast. Don't punish the developers for this only because you decided to take the easy way for a game that's not solely intended for shooting everything on sight.

Yes, agent 47 is flat. But in a good way. He's a hitman and not some emotionally disturbed tearjerker. His seriousness gives him character and it provides for humoristic scenes like the tin foil hat scene or the elevator scene with the sushi guy. Of course, if you only go Rambo you will miss A LOT of these scenes since most levels can be completed in a variety of ways. Check the challenges tab in the game menu for tips on that. This game does have a story and it helps with Agent 47's character. The other characters put down a good performance.

However, there are some bugs in this game and I wish there were some boss fights or whatnot. I was disappointed about the nun assassins (if you've seen the trailer) because they aren't that interesting. Also, I found the scoring/point system somewhat distracting. Still, I would recommend this game because I found it very enjoyable.