Hello folks! Welcome to another review from us here at AbsoluteGaming.co.uk! And we certainly have a big one today! As the title says, it’s Hitman Absolution!
Developed by the Danish company IO Interactive and published by Square Enix, this will be the Fifth game in the series which kick started back in 2000 with Hitman: Codename 47!
The game is all about an “assassin for hire” called 47. He is given this name because of the last 2 digits of the code on the barcode on the back of his head (abet of a mouthful I know!) He’s actually a clone. And a highly trained and skilful clone at that.
For those of you who already follow the Hitman series of games, you will know that Agent 47 doesn’t kill for pleasure. And you will also know that he takes his job very seriously. And this release will probably show you and tell you why he does so.
When I first saw that I had the chance to review it, I was sceptical. In fact, I thought straight away that it was not my type of game. Entertainment is what I look for and the story line would have to be very gripping in order for me to enjoy a game. However, I took it up as a challenge. Am I glad that I did? Well of course I am! Not only is the game…. Wait a minute; let me not say too much before I’ve told you what the game is about.
Now where was I? Ah yes! Hitman Absolution is all about Agent 47 and his source of information named Diana Burnwood. Diana was an insider who supplied information regarding any and every one of 47’s targets. Ranging from where they lived, worked all the way down to what type of perfume they wore and where they purchased it from! All this is summarised well in the Prologue.
Unfortunately for 47, Diana has had a sudden change of heart. She suddenly disappears and destroys all the information that she ever held regarding anything and anyone that she “scouted”. Now the agency (the company that hires 47) has made Diana a top priority target of theirs due to the treason she has committed. Although they know she has disappeared, they feel that information she holds about them is extremely sensitive. They track her down in a remote location and the assignment is handed to none other than 47. It must be pointed out that he was very close to her. At the end of the day, he has to do his job and will refer to her only as “The target” that must be killed to ensure no word gets out.
During the game you are also introduced to a young girl called Victoria. Victoria has been rescued by Diana from the agency. 47 are told about Victoria by Diana (yes you do find her and get to her). But now, the focus has shifted to Victoria. Who is she? What was the agency doing to her that Diana didn’t like and want them doing any more? It is here where your real adventure as 47 begins. In order to get this information, you have to do jobs for others and pay them at the same time. Sounds strange right? You do the job that they want but then you have to give something else away in order to get the information you actually seek? It works though!
Earlier, I mentioned the prologue. The prologue is naturally at the very beginning of the story line which might I add is laid out like you’re reading a book or novel! A very interesting concept which has been implemented extremely well.
As you go through the story you will quickly realise that the missions or marks are not as easy to take out as you would think. The game makes you think hard and you have to explore a lot of the area to plan your way of attack. If you go Gung-Ho, be prepared to face a hail of bullets or bodyguards and security which occasionally includes the SWAT Team as backup! If you decide to be a silent assassin, it will take time and patience is the key to success.
Sniper on the Roof in China Town!
There are and will be always more than one way to achieve your goal and I will mention it again, If you don’t plan your way around how you will do it, you will almost certainly fail.
A lot of gamers now days expect an online aspect and the developers were asked this question as well before the game was released. Will there be online multi player? Everyone knows that Hitman is a solo worker. He works with no one and has no partner. Any mistake is his mistake and any crime committed is his crime and his alone to face. He has no baggage to carry with him. So how would the developers of the game bring in an online aspect?
The answer is: Contracts
Contracts is an aspect of Hitman that takes a gamer online. Not to face other gamers in one on one combat, but to challenge and take part in challenges online set by other gamers. Get a better score and get the right to brag and see your name go up on the leader board. It is understandable that you can’t possibly have multiple 47’s running around trying to kill one another. That would just not be right.
As with every game that has a story line or some sort of challenge, you need to have a difficulty. Absolution offers the following difficulties along with an in depth explanation of what you can expect with each one.
Easy is exactly what it says: 47 is the superior one. You will have almost no issues in flattening 10 men with a flick of your finger.
Normal changes things slightly. 47’s training and physique come into play and you need to be careful and use your brain a bit more. It’s a bit more challenging to go unnoticed, and if you do get noticed, it’s not as easy to get out of the situation as in the Easy difficulty.
Everything after this is to be attempted only once you’re comfortable with the game and you are a quick thinker.
Hard: There are more enemies to face, they have faster reactions and your timing must be flawless. You can afford to miss first time, but you will not be spared again.
Expert: Perfection is necessary! You will have no firing weapons apart from what you pick up along the way as you fight to the death…oh yes, and so will any enemies you face!
Purist: You think you’ve mastered the game? Well you haven’t unless you’re a purist! You have No help what so ever. No guidance, except from a cross-hair.
It is also a must not to forget Instict. In Absolution, Instinct is what 47 uses to predict an enemies movement, blend in when in disguise and many other things as you progress along. This however is only available in a couple of the difficulty levels as it’s a form of assist to help you through the game. Your instinct refills (again in only some difficulty levels) when you change a situation or evade capture.
You think youve got me? Think Again!
As always, while playing the game you can’t help but notice things that would occasionally bug you. In Absolution, there’s absolutely NOTHING that bothered me!
The graphics are impeccable; the sounds are so realistic (especially when you are wearing a surround sound headset) that you feel like you’re in the game. Ever listened to a leather glove squeezing on a trigger? You will hear it in Absolution!
Hitman – Blood Money was released in 2006. It’s no wonder it’s taken the developers just over 6 years to release another game in the series. The attention to detail is remarkable and the story line is very well thought out.
Sure, maybe a lot of gamers craving is to go online and be able to show off skills by stealth killing and spraying and praying when handling a gun, however, Hitman Absolution will keep you occupied enough to actually want to play the game in single player.
Need I actually say much more? I don’t think so. Apart from the fact that if you don’t mind violence in a game and enjoy a good story line? Make this game either an early Christmas present for yourself or go get it now! There is no other way of putting it, the game is SUPERB!
A vote of thanks must go out to the Xbox Community Network for giving us the chance to review Hitman Absolution.