Hitman: Contracts Review

Developer	Io Interactive
Publisher	Eidos Interactive
Genre	Action

The stealth game has been done to death. Let’s face it, this is to the current generation what fighting games were to the gamers of the nineties. From Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid to stealth elements being added into platformers like Jak and Daxter, gaming is filled to the brim with opportunities to sneak.

Hitman holds a special place in the world of the stealth game. Having been one of the first out of the gate to utilize this gameplay technique, the Hitman series has come a long way since it’s first PC incarnation. With the newest game to feature Agent 47, Hitman Contracts manages to tie in familiar gameplay with an interesting story that sheds more light on the enigmatic main character.

Starting out with a cinema showing Agent 47 reeling with a bullet wound from an unknown, yet oddly familiar assailant, the game starts with a flashback to a moment fans of the series will recognize. From there, the game plays out as a series of memories of the dying Agent, with some familiar locations and many new ones. The end result is an interesting narrative that gives the gameplay a little added push.

Gameplay - The gameplay elements that make up Hitman:Contracts have not changed since the last incarnation of the game. While the manual states that there are multiple ways to complete your objective, the real truth is that they can all be broken down into two main types. You can either run and gun your way through the level (which gets pretty damn difficult in the later stages) or you can sneak your way through.

While the adrenaline rush is very satisfying when you blast your way into a room and open fire with a submachine gun, the true fun comes from stealth. Stealing the uniform of a guard or worker and walking into a secure facility with a weapon hidden on your person is extremely satisfying. Sure, it’s been done to death in every Hitman game ever made, but it’s still fun.

With that said, I wish it was truly an open ended game. In every level, you options are a bit limited. Sure, the weapons you have will dictate the kind of kill you can achieve, for example a poison kill will be different than a handgun kill, but it’s still not that much variation. If the enemy AI would react differently to given situations, it might work itself out a little better. But that’ s just me wishing. I haven't yet found that in ANY stealth game as of yet.

The control, alas, feels like it’s four years out of date. Agent 47 moves ok and it gets the job done, but it just feels a little sluggish and the movement animations are just plain bad when you change directions. It feels like the Agent is skating on the floor everywhere he goes. It’s a small thing, but it’s time for an update.

I would have loved to use the first person mode, but the whole look and feel of it is off base. It just didn’t feel natural to me. I need to feel as if I’m in the head of Agent 47 and I wasn’t getting that with this game. I basically stuck in 3rd person mode for the majority of the game, except for the times when I couldn’t get the camera where I needed it, which were few.

The targeting on the weapons is fine and there are a good variety of them to be had. You just have to love a game that has a hook as one of the usable weapons in the game. Nice. Very nice.

The level designs were very good, with some nice areas to sneak in and out of. Every level had some form of variety with how your were going to get in and out of the area and each presented unique ways to get at your intended victim. I know some have griped about some old Hitman levels from the original game, but many have not played those levels and they play very well with the newer gameplay style of the modern Hitman games.

My last gripe is simple and a bit nit-picky, but it’s becoming increasingly important these days. Where is the Xbox Live? I know multiplayer Hitman might not work (although there is potential in it) but how about making it Live Aware? Downloadable content, even? It seems that these days gamers are expecting some of that to increase the replay value of their games and Eidos is behind the curve on this one.

Graphics - Hitman ups the ante in the graphics department with some very nice lighting effects and character designs. Sure, I would have like to see some variety in the NPC’s but that’s a minor gripe when the ones who are out there look as good as they do.

The levels all have spit and polish and really help to immerse you into this world of Agent 47 with moody visuals and detailed areas. Some great use of shadows played out in real time help the stealth aspect of this game a great deal. I mean, what’s a stealth game without cool shadows, right? While not to the level of Splinter Cell, Hitman does a fine job of getting your head into the game.

Weapons look good as well and the animations when you use them are very cool. And how the hell they managed to use blood the way they do is both amazing and a little sick. They really make something out of every kill. That’s good... right?

Sound - Sound in this game really goes a long way toward getting you into the game, The silences broken by creaks and moans of floorboards, or the mutterings of those you are trying to avoid really help to se the mood. In addition, the music that is in the game is really put to good use.

The soundtrack is good in that it stays out of the way when you want it to, and yet helps add another level of tension to an already suspenseful game.

Bottom Line - While my cup of stealth tea happens to include US special forces and high tech gadgets, Hitman still commanded my attention. With a neat little story line, some interesting ways to complete your objectives, the Hitman series still manages to carve out a niche in this crowded market.

If you’re a fan of the series, go pick it up. If you’re looking for something new int he stealth arena and have never introduced yourself to Agent 47, go ahead and pick it up as it’s a great way to get into the series. For those looking for the next big thing, however, wait a bit for Metal Gear Solid 3.

Review by Aaron Hilden