Hitman 2016, PS4 and Xbox One review: ‘the best game in the series so far’

Agent 47’s return brings thrilling assassinations, creative gameplay, and a world that feels truly alive
Talal Musa10 March 2016

Very few games are truly goosebump-inducing, but the latest Hitman instalment is one of them. On the evidence of its opening chapters, the return of the bald assassin could well be the greatest game in the series so far.

There’s been much back and forth regarding how Hitman would reach gamers. IO Interactive finally decided to release the game in two packages – the Intro Pack and the Full Experience.

At launch, Hitman gamers receive a digital-only Intro Pack containing a prologue and Paris mission, with additional missions in Sapienza, Morocco, Thailand, the USA, and Japan arriving every month. A full boxed version will be released towards the end of the year.

Despite just being a prologue and a main story mission, there's still plenty for Hitman fans to get stuck into.

The prologue acts as a sort of Batman Begins piece – delving into the inception of the relationship between Agent 47 and his handler, Diana Burnwood, and serves up a well-executed tutorial eliminating a target on a boat.

Once you've got to grips with the mechanics, the gameplay starts to open up and offer more opportunities to get creative. From spiking drinks with rat poison to garrotting targets with fibre wire, the options seem endless. There's just the right amount of guidance to nudge players in the right direction without feeling spoon-fed.

The prologue ends with a fantastic trial mission, sneaking into a mock enemy air base. There are plenty of ways to eliminate the target, but a certain one involving a faulty fighter jet ejector seat is easily the best.

Must-play video games of 2016

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But all of this feels like a paddling pool compared to Paris. The mission involves taking out two members of IAGO – a shady group who sell classified documents to the highest bidder. The auction is taking place during a high-profile fashion show in a sprawling mansion.

From the off gamers can select 47’s weapons, as well as his entry point – you’ll feel every inch the silent assassin.

It's hard not to feel giddy walking past the cheering crowds and flashing cameras before handing your invite to a guard, or laugh as you guide 47 in-between a reporter and their cameraman, only for him to shout 'cut!'

Square Enix

It’s amazing just how much attention to detail has gone into the level – and the amount of options available to eliminate the target are so abundant it’s almost daunting. These are all best discovered for yourself, but rest assured – you won't be disappointed.

Those looking to 'go loud' and blast their way through levels, be warned – once you're spotted it's extremely difficult to recover, and fire-fights usually result in death. Better unlearn any bad habits from Hitman: Absolution, then...

Hitman is visually stunning and looks noticeably more refined than the beta. There are literally hundreds of characters on screen at once, while lighting and textures help make the world feel completely alive. Minor issues with animation and NPC repetition are unobtrusive.

Bold new chapter: Agent 47 is back in the latest entry in the Hitman series

The soundtrack is also spot on – with a sinister techno beat kicking in at just the right moments.

There’s plenty of replay value too – Contracts mode returns, allowing players to create custom hits and share them with the world, while Escalation increases the difficulty setting on a level the more you become familiar with it.

Episode 1 is a hit in every sense. Next stop, Sapienza...

Hitman launches on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on March 11

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