Hitman: Contracts

"A great game, that you'll be through with in one rental."

This game opens up with a quite interesting cut-scene, though one I didn't understand, possibly because this is the first Hitman I've played. After the great cut-scene, you're treated to the main menu, with a looping animation which really gets you in a "hitman" mood.

Controls 7/10
The controls are pretty awkward at first, but they "work," once you're used to them. The training level is nonsense, and you're better off playing the first level until you can control 47 accurately. One thing I do like, is that you can switch between FPS mode, and TPS. Triangle takes you to your inventory, and pauses the game as it does. Highlight a weapon in your inventory treats you to tasty specs and information about that weapon. Pressing L1 takes you to a very detailed map, however, this does not pause the game. What the hell?

Story ??/10
I didn't quite understand the story, but I don't think I can rate it accurately, seeing as I haven't played the previous installments of Hitman. All I can really say is that it gives you a creepy feeling, and is quite heartless. I like that.

Graphics 8/10
They're not fantastic, but they work. In my opinion graphics don't make or break a game, but they're nice to have. Everything looks pretty clean, and the cut scene graphics are great.

The game does feature a lighting system, but the problem is it only gives shadow to 47, and nothing in the environment. So, you could be climbing on a ladder, and you could only see a shadow of you ; not the ladder.

Gameplay - 10/10
Here's where the game shines. Whether you like beating a mission stealthfully, or if you just like shooting the hell out of anything that walks.

Stealth mode is pretty hard. The slightest mistake can blow your cover. For example, if you're taking cover as a waiter, and you go to an area that already has a waiter (there's only supposed to be one), you'll be suspicious. Stay to long, and you'll become shooting practice.

The basic concept behind stealth mode is to kill somebody with access to where you want to go, and steal there clothes. If you blow you're cover, hide, kill, and steal clothes. Fairly simple.

Even more simple, is the "shoot everything," approach, which is self explanatory. The concept here is to shoot, steal weapons, and shoot some more.

As for replaying, I'll give that "eh..." See, you can always go back to the missions to try achieve new goals, such as silent assassin, which unlocks a new weapon to use. However, it's not that fun going back. There are 12 missions, and most can be beat in under 30 minutes the first time so... without going back for the goals, you only be getting 6 hours of gameplay. A multiplayer mode would have made it extremly replayable, however.

Environment 8/10
The environment is highly interactive, and you won't find any "invisible walls." That's really all there is to say about that.

Sound / Music 9/10
The music is dark and gritty, but only played at select times of gameplay. I also have no complaints about sound effects, they sound like they should.

Rent or buy
Rent. It's a fantastic game, but you can beat it in one rental.

Overall 9/10
I want to give it a 10, and I would, but the replayability issue really drags it down. I can only hope the next installment has multiplayer features.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/17/04