Hitman - Episode 3: Marrakesh

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. PLAY! Zine
    Jul 6, 2016
    70
    The third venture into the episodic Hitman might not be as good as his second adventure, but Marrakesh still offers amazing digital playground that will surely put your assassin skills to the test.
  2. GameCritics
    Jun 20, 2016
    70
    Although my tone and criticisms might not suggest it, Episode 3 is still a solid addition to the Hitman universe. Marrakesh is an interesting place to explore, but IO just doesn’t do enough to make it a standout here. Considering that there are still three episodes left to go, I’m hoping that the next installment will keep enriching the game and not just coast on fumes from the first two excellent episodes.
  3. Destructoid
    Jun 6, 2016
    70
    The main knock here is that Marrakesh almost feels like three unrelated areas (school, consulate, public) stitched together -- there's even a secret, sterile-looking corridor that basically connects the school and the consulate.
  5. Gameblog.fr
    Jun 3, 2016
    70
    It is indeed a very good episode with stunning and huge environments, loaded with some breathtaking crowds, but it probably lacks variety and coherence that made Sapienza such a great place.
  6. Push Square
    Jun 3, 2016
    70
    Hitman: Episode 3 - Marrakesh is a good addition to an already great release, and although it may not have the total freedom of Sapienza, it certainly does espionage and detail well. The constantly busy atmosphere and the variety of kills will keep dedicated assassins coming back for more. Roll on Thailand.
  7. Impulsegamer
    Jun 15, 2016
    68
    Episode 3: Marrakesh is entertaining but it doesn't build upon the brilliant Sapienza mission!
  8. PlaySense
    Jun 7, 2016
    65
    An enormous level must mean an enormous amount of things to do, right? Right? Nope.
  9. COGconnected
    Jun 4, 2016
    63
    Marrakesh falters in its volume of storytelling and willingness to let the player in on what’s going on behind the scenes and in between episodes.
  10. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jul 16, 2016
    60
    A perfectly serviceable level concept and map with a few neat ideas, but its balance is off and replay value is much lower than that of the other episodes in the series. [Aug 2016, p.84]
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  11. We Got This Covered
    Jun 6, 2016
    60
    Hitman retains its strong gameplay core in light of setbacks. The developers fail to capitalize on Marrakesh’s intricately rendered crowds, and performance bugs that were once corrected have returned.
  12. IGN
    Jun 3, 2016
    60
    Hitman Episode 3: Marrakesh doesn’t reach the highs of the previous levels and features the worst voice acting so far.
  13. Hardcore Gamer
    Jun 3, 2016
    60
    Hitman Episode 3: Marrakesh is the least impressive installment thus far, but it still holds up as a decent distraction.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 58
  3. Negative: 8 out of 58
  1. Jimmytwotimes
    Jun 7, 2016
    8
    I!'ve decided to give readers an overall review of the first 3 hitman episodes . Hitman and Metal Gear those two names are synomous with greatI!'ve decided to give readers an overall review of the first 3 hitman episodes . Hitman and Metal Gear those two names are synomous with great stealth gameplay . Going all the way back to hitman 2 on the ps2 the games were classic and vastly different than anything else on the market . Mission planning and execution were completely up to you . The series only got better with games like Hitman : Contracts and the revered by critic and fan alike blood money .

    How you went about your mission was up to you . Do you go in armed to the teeth or do you go in without a weapon carrying only something to passing targets . This was a favorite tactic of mine knocking out a guard stealing his weapon using it to kill my target loud and proud and ditching the murder weapon on my way out . Boom silent assassin rating . The feeling of pulling off the perfect hit with flawless planning , timing and execution is out of this world and never fails to satisfy . I am a longtime fan and loved almost all of these games with the exception of the one whose name shall nut be uttered in these hallowed halls .

    So being such a huge fan and spending countless hours with these games I was highly anticipating the release of this game simply titled Hitman . Initially I was turned off when they announced episodic release and a weird pricing system . I am so against DLC and paying for content when I don't know the quality of it . However like I said I bit the bullet and bought the full experience . I haven't regretted it . One can argue the release schedule is a dumb move I was once wishing those ranks . I've come to embrace it . The developers are actually listening to fans (what a novel idea ! ) and tweaking things based upon their feedback . This is something I can respect .

    Now there may seem like there is very little content here . Look deeper though with just these three maps there are probably close to 300 challenges . Think about that for a minute . These are just suggested methods of assassination . There is always room for improvising and experimentation . The AI can be iffy at times and it seems as this issue amongst others is being addressed . The game has a story mode as well as contracts mode which is probably the only good thing that the unmentioned Hitman title brought us . These are created by users and developers and feature different kinds . Escalation Contracts are multistage and require you to complete contract specific actions killing with a certain disguise and weapon in a certain order etc . There are also elusive targets . These appear in game with their own back stories with a time limit in real time . You're given one chance to take out the target if you miss or fail you will not get a second chance .

    The maps on offer are huge expansive playgrounds of assassination packed with nooks and crannies and secret locations . The ambiance here is great when listening in on NPCs conversations some of it is just lol funny . The voice acting however is just plain lazy and can be jarring to the overall experience but it's the gameplay that shines here . The three locations so far are Paris , Sapienza , and Marrakesh . The locations are varried and rife with opportunities to exploit and weaknesses to prod . So far all are very enjoyable . Personally I do believe Paris and Sapienza will be looked upon as classic Hitman levels . That isn't to say that Marrakesh is bad but what they have done in the first two episodes will be hard to top . I wanted to not like this game but after spending a fair amount of time with the content I can't not like it . It offers a unique and compelling experience and is actively encouraging community input other than whining about the release schedule (which I myself was guilty of ) .

    People are saying they want more and that is a good thing . While not a perfect Hitman game it is absolutely deserving of the title bestowed upon it . As a longtime fan I am pleased to say welcome back 47 we've missed you . Happy Hunting .

    Hitman is great a return to form and packed with so many intricacies and things to learn and discover it should keep you busy for quite sometime . Do yourself a favor and enter this world of assassination good luck 47    … Full Review »
  2. colinsmall34
    Jun 4, 2016
    5
    The gameplay was ok, standard Hitman more or less, but certain things just felt very lazy. Most glaringly, the voice acting in this episodeThe gameplay was ok, standard Hitman more or less, but certain things just felt very lazy. Most glaringly, the voice acting in this episode was especially badly done. It was laughable. All the people in the Moroccan market, including the Moroccan soldiers, speak English like American native-speakers. It completely undermines the whole experience. If it were one of the virtual training missions from earlier on in the game, you could understand it, but as it stands, I couldn't take the episode seriously. It's not just the accent either, but the things people say. For example, I was dressed up as a Morrocan army officer, and one of the army privates I walked past said, in a clear North American accent: "Good morning, officer. How are you?". Who the hell in the army talks like that to their superior officer? Also, disguised as this officer, with an assault rifle slung on my back, I just strolled right into the Swedish embassy, with nobody batting an eyelid. It doesn't work like that. Foreign security forces are stationed outside of embassies, to protect them on the street level, but they don't just waltz into them, armed to the teeth, whenever they feel like it. That's called invading another country. Did nobody research this?

    Adding to the silly dialogues and other things:

    1. When I was dressed up as a waiter, people were calling me 'sir' all over the place, including customers and soldiers. It just didn't feel natural at all.

    2. I assassinated the banker by dressing up as a massage therapist. This was supposedly a therapist from a "local clinic" in Marrakesh, who had a Swedish (?) name, was white and blonde, and of course spoke with a North American accent. Not very realistic! On top of all that, the embassy would be on high alert, with a mob of angry protestors shouting outside, and you wonder if they would allow access to non-essential outside people like massage therapists.

    3. The embassy receptionist announced over the loudspeaker for the Swedish banker to go to the massage room. It seemed quite unrealistic. I think in embassies they tend to use speaking face-to-face rather than using speaker systems to inform people of things like that. And having a dedicated massage room? I suppose it's possible, but just a little odd.

    I thought the Sapienza episode was really, really good, and it felt like a fair bit of effort had been put into it. With this one, it just seemed like a lazily put together and poorly-researched half-effort.

    I just wanted to buy episode 3, as I'd already played 1&2, but was forced to pay a larger amount for the upgrade pack. If this is the standard of the game to follow, I think I need a refund.    … Full Review »
  3. PPaul27
    Jun 3, 2016
    8
    hitman continues to impress with the incredible variety of assassination opportunities and great sizes of maps . Marrakesh is not at thehitman continues to impress with the incredible variety of assassination opportunities and great sizes of maps . Marrakesh is not at the level of Sapienz but it's still an attractive location . The difficulty level is highest : a lot of ngp make it most difficult stealth.… Full Review »
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