Hitman

A triumph in both mechanics and delivery, Hitman turns its controversial episodic release model into a true strength that's suited to IO's vast and nuanced sandboxes.

There's definitely something addictive in the new Hitman, especially when revisiting the same locations over and over again - thanks to interesting challenges. Level design is impressive and multiple ways to eliminate targets will keep you occupied for a long time.

IO Interactive brings the Hitman series back in grand style. Not every level is Season 1 is amazing, but at it's best, Hitman contains some stunning settings, amazingly detailed level designs, and a vast number of ways to kill your target. It's handicapped a bit by its online implementation, but if you can get past that, you'll find one of the best games in the series.

Stealthy disguises lead into explosive moments of improvisation. Best-laid plans come to fruition through opportunities, and carefully timed, critical moments mean the difference between a master stroke and a quick death. The 2016 Hitman offers the best of its kind, with an episodic structure that clicks, sandbox playgrounds to pick apart and brilliant design and presentation on all levels.

With six big sandbox-locations the first season’s campaign for agent 47 is offering various challenges, how to fulfill each mission. On top, there is a lot more to do with escalation-missions, user generated contracts and elusive targets. The gameplay allows classic hitman-stealth with silent kills as well as all-guns-blazing if you’re that kind of player. Lots of disguise-possibilities, weapons and gadgets makes it fun to play various times. Some lacks with the AI and graphic-issues have to be dealt with and if you’re expecting a complete storyline, that is not happening in Season 1.

Quotation forthcoming.

This physical edition of the new Hitman contains all the six episodes (previously released only in digital format) and a plethora of new content, including the soundtrack and the making of. Everything to make a Hitman - and the stealth genre - fan happy.

At the end of the season Hitman turned out to be a great game, arguably the best in the series. [13/2016, p.60]

Agent 47 returns in an exceptional way, thanks to an emblematic level design with dynamic gameplay mechanics. Despite minor problems, the iconic experience of the franchise is now stronger than ever.

Those who regard Skyrim as a virtual tourism app, will enjoy exploring every nook and cranny in Hitman. If I had to pick just one reason to play this game, it's because you can immerse yourself in its meticulously created mini-worlds.

Hitman is back. Confident design and a willingness to experiment produces some of the best missions of 47's long career.

The story may be a bit thin, but as far as gameplay is concerned, Hitman is an assassin's dream come true.

Square Enix's decision to separate the game into several episodes and market the game as a “Season” may interrupt with the storytelling of the game, but it also takes the game back to its roots, putting you in a sandbox full of opportunities and choices. Not all of the episodes are on par with each other and the “Opportunities” helping method makes the game feel a bit too easy and straight forward. But other than that, the game is a great addition to the series and fans of the series (especially “Blood Money” fans) would love it.

Who cares about the episodic release when Hitman Season 1 can offer a compelling, smart and entertaining experience, just like Hitman games should do? The gameplay is strong and, despite a plot that is lacking deepness, the season is fun and some maps, like Sapienza and Hokkaido, have a lot of replay value.

Classy slealth mix of savage and slapstick, with just one duff level in an otherwise choice selection. [Christmas 2016, p.77]

Delayed gratification from the episodic release schedule or not, this 2016 take on Hitman is a brilliant game. Expansive level design and nearly unlimited replay value courtesy of so many routes to your assassinations (and so many methods with which to carry them out) make the experience almost completely different each and every time you play. Yes, Agent 47 took his time getting here, but it was time well spent.

Agent 47 started strong and after a continuous up and down with every episode finishes on a rather low note. The episodic format works well overall, though, and contains some of the most memorable locations of the Franchise. Something that can’t be said about the AI.

New adventures of a bald assassin make the Hitman game playable for newcomers as well as for hardcore fans ¬thanks to the rich content and a wide set of options – surprisingly without major compromises, although not without some technical issues.