Hitman: Contracts

 Xbox
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Game Informer
    73
    An ambitious release for IO, but the end result is a garbled mess of a game that has lost its way. [June 2004, p.122]
  2. Armchair Empire
    72
    The third installment of the series, doesn’t do much in terms of “innovation."
  3. Ferrago
    72
    The level of freedom offered may be a dream come true for some but will simply be far too much for others, thusly alienating this title from a majority of gamers.
  5. Edge Magazine
    70
    The picaresque form allows the levels to function as discreet puzzles rather than as parts of a story arc: the objective remains pure and always the same. The obstacles and methods open to you are what change, and it's in these areas that Contracts has both expanded and improved. [June 2004, p.103]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. games(TM)
    70
    The whole thing smacks of laziness - of the 12 missions, we count a total of four completely new ones...the annoying thing is that Contracts is an enjoyable game; that IQ had the cheek to crib from its previous work almost doesn't matter when the result is still worth playing. [June 2004, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. GameShark
    70
    More of the same? Absolutely, but whether this is a good or a bad thing depends on your enjoyment of the previous games in the series.
  8. Yahoo!
    70
    It proves a suitable fix for bloodthirsty gamers, yet hardly the remorselessly addictive diversion many had been hoping for.
  9. Loaded Inc
    68
    A solid offering for those that have never experienced the series or those of you who couldn’t get enough of "Hitman 2." For everyone else, this will be too much of the same and you’ll grow bored with it very quickly.
  10. Play Magazine
    67
    It's a shame he's such a one-dimensional character, wasting an exceptional opportunity for a compelling psychological backdrop to join the pervasively strong imagery. [June 2004, p.56]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Official Xbox Magazine
    64
    It feels like you've played this game before because you have. [June 2004, p.72]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. Xbox Nation Magazine
    60
    The player has a choice. Doe she coax out Contracts' subtlety, or coes he play essentially the smae game he's been playing for two decades? The first option may have him tearing his hair out. [June 2004, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. GMR Magazine
    60
    47 doesn't interact smoothly with his world. His movements come right out of the Max Payne School of Character Animation, with the antihero sliding and gliding across surfaces rather than running...None of this feels right. [June 2004, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. G4 TV
    60
    It’s using the same technology, and there are no new gameplay elements to differentiate it from its predecessor in any clear way.

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Best Xbox Game of 2004
43
#43 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
37
#37 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. MisterCentaur
    Apr 4, 2023
    8
    My rating for Hitman Contracts is actually a 8.5. No game deserves a 10 in my opinion no matter how great they are. This game is still theMy rating for Hitman Contracts is actually a 8.5. No game deserves a 10 in my opinion no matter how great they are. This game is still the best hitman game I've played that speaks volume about the identity of the hitman games. The previous two games dating back in the early 2000s' gameplay weren't fully developed and hadn't truly peaked yet. Contracts is the hitman game that finally achieved all of that.

    The disguise system in this game is the best as it will reward and punish you when deserved. It's important to note that Contracts is part sequel and part remake consisting of 6 new missions and 6 remade missions. With the assassination rating and the refined gameplay, I believe most of the remade missions are very good missions. Love all the remade missions. The new missions are truly the special kind of missions as they contain superior maps. It's very refreshing and fun to play. This is the most atmospheric Hitman game ever; it includes dark moments and bits of horror as well that will provide something new for the players. Final comment I would like to make is that Contracts is a great game when you've become good at it and even a better game when you learn to speedrun it. Great game.    … Full Review »
  2. Haldane
    Jan 21, 2023
    10
    I have a sprawling video game collection, have played hundreds of AAA games and plenty of AA's as well, but there's no game that even comesI have a sprawling video game collection, have played hundreds of AAA games and plenty of AA's as well, but there's no game that even comes close to replicating the infectious tone on display in this one. The rainy day aspect of the whole game makes you realise how disturbing and crumby of a life Agent 47 lives, and the eerie atmosphere it brings makes you nervous to turn every dark corner, you just don't know what can happen. Of course, the negative aspect of the game being (now) elderly is that stepping out of line completely strips away the immersion because you are now in an unwinnable firefight with every NPC on the map, but unlike Hitman 2 all you want to do is follow the rules because at some points it does indeed feel like a movie, the atmosphere of classic missions like the Butcher or the Chinese Restaurant Massacre (among countless others of course) feeling like dreams when you look back at them, as 47 is doing in the game. Plus, the soundtrack by Jasper Kyd never gets annoying and throws you deeper into the level, unlike the menu chanting in the new Hitman 3. For its success in providing such an atmosphere, it deserves a 10.… Full Review »
  3. Nobilis1984
    Mar 31, 2021
    5
    Actually a good game. Would not be the bad control that has not been properly adapted to the console. This makes it difficult to play.
See all user reviews »