Hitman 2: Silent Assassin

Simply put, this game is outstanding. The graphics are top class, the physics engine rivals that of unreal tournament 2003, and the gameplay is one of the most amazing thing ive come across in a video game in a long time. Each level is brilliantly designed, and the fact that each mission has numerous ways of completion, really helps create a non-linear feel to the whole thing, not to mention, making this a game you can replay over and over again. One key theme to this game is the whole "silent assassin" thing, so be prepared to spend a lot of time waiting for that perfect moment to make your move - of course you can just run-and-gun your way through the levels, but youd be missing out on something that makes this game truely unique. Nothing beats the feel of stalking in the shadows, picking your moment carefully, and when the times right, strike with the utmost precision....and where if you dont watch your step, it could all be over. An easy 8 out of 10 - you need to get this game.

Now here is a sequel that is bigger and better on virtually every level. The story is more developed and there are much more cut-scenes. All are well done. There are more levels with greatly varied terrain and all sorts of obstacles. Each location that you travel to is a mini campaign of sorts with several missions that follow each other back to back. One of the locations, Japan, has you landing in a valley, sneaking past well protected check points and sniper towers to a castle's gates. Then making your way past the gate in the next mission and finally, in the third, taking out the head of an international crime syndicate in his castle. This high alpine fortress comes complete with patrolling guards, basements, and a courtyard with a helicopter. I couldn't help but notice a parallel to one of my favorite movies of all time, "Where Eagles Dare." Better yet, just like in that classic action movie, there is nothing preventing you from starting a castle wide shootout in one of the many corridors! Though, be careful, if your target escapes, you failed.

Another interesting addition that "Silent Assassin" has is your performance evaluation for the assignment that you have just completed. Unlike the first where you received a paycheck, which was only deducted from if you killed cops and civilians, here you are evaluated on stealth and aggression. This is a much funner system since in the first game many players inevitably saw the bug that when you have accumulated money by the game's later levels, you could essentially kill without remorse. Some levels didn't even have civilians or cops so you could turn them into your own killing ground, like Schwarzenegger did at the end of "Commando." Technically there is nothing stopping you here from doing that, but if you want the prized Silent Assassin rating and the bonus weapons that come with it, you'll have to be discreet. Ironically, when awarded the Silent Assassin bonus weapons that come in the shape of assault rifles and generally better guns, you can't really use them to get the rating on later levels. And there is no option to replay levels that you have completed, thus your new weapons end up being strictly for show. Though, they do come in handy on one particular level... I'll leave that for you to figure out.

Yet another change from the original is the option to switch from third person view to first person (invaluable in aiming) and the ability to save mid-level. There are three difficulty settings, on the hardest of which you have no mid-level saves, unless you're awarded them for tasks completed), and on the easiest you have plenty so beginners of the series might find this a more pleasant experience that the first game. And experts will be pleased with the fact that "Silent Assassin" is much longer with at least twice as many missions than the first and cool little features, such as being able to use a golf club as a weapon and the ability to peak through keyholes. Though it's a shame the mini-gun from the first game is strangely absent from this one. But no matter, the bigger weapons selection makes up for it.

If "Hitman" was engrossing with its premise and gameplay, then "Hitman 2: Silent Assassin" is dangerously addictive. Better in almost everyway. --- 9/10

Rated MATURE for violence

This game has seriously deprived me of much needed sleep this past week since playing it for the first time.

What can I say? There's so much depth and different variables in each mission alone, there are more than enough missions to satisfy the most hungry tactical-shooter fan.

When you've successfully completed a mission for the first time, you'll want to go back and try different methods, approaches to get a higher score (=more stealth and less violence), the ultimate score being that of Silent Assassin where basically nobody sees you and you only kill your designated target with one bullet or stab (or strangle).

Another old game that I've been a fan of is Ghost Recon, a tactical shooter with many simulation elements. The thing is, to survive in "Hitman 2" you can use the approach of methodically killing every baddie in sight. This can also be fun to relieve stress and frustration of repeatedly failing a mission.

For a 2002 game, the graphics are still beautiful and a pleasure to behold, in combination with the excellent atmospheric music (with strong Star Wars influences in some places) these elements make a fantastic game for the lovers of tactical shooters.

Regular FPS 'run and gun' players steer well away. This game needs brains and not just in the blown-out variant.

10 out of 10 with a subtraction of 1 for stupid ethnic stereotyping in *some* missions. So in all 9 out of 10 but still I can't stop playing it!

Now to start I never played Hitman 2. I first heard bout the game in previews then someone who had bought it gave me a loan. At first i hated this game because I found it to be slow moving but then I was given it as a present. After playing it I actually fell in love with it. This game is cool in that it makes you want to go stealth. You can solve problems with multiple solutions but eventually you want to see if you have the skill to do it through stealth. And you will need a high amount of skill because at times this game seems impossible but believe me if you stick with it you will be rewarded with a great sense of pride. Overall anyone should buy this 10/10

If only there were more missions... This game was so great. The grafics are top notch and the guns are pretty darn realistic. Each level has so much detail and there are a billion different ways to complete each level. This game really shows you the life of a hitman. The quick thinking, stealth, smarts, the gun skills, and the take out missions. Unlike many games, the AI is very intelligant even on the easy level setting (I play on professional, and wow, it's difficult). Also, this game is pretty creepy mostly due to the music. Like the last level when I first played this game the music made my palms sweaty and my heart was pounding out of my chest. Anyway, if your up for a challenge play this game NOW. More need to play this AMAZING game.