Hitman: Contracts

"I feel joyful and cheated at the same time"

Hitman 2 was an amazing game, which improved on the first game in every possible way. While fans waited anxiously for news on Hitman 3, they got the sudden info on Hitman: Contracts. Strangely, this game was never mentioned until a short while before its release, and just prior to the release, news on Hitman 4 was released, making Contracts sound more like a rushed, cash-cow sequel. And in many ways, that's exactly what it is. Still it has enough merit to warrant playing through at least once.

Graphics: The game still uses Hitman 2's engine. However, the environmental effects have improved significantly since the previous game. In one mission, for example, you start out under a small bridge, in the middle of a lake during a rainstorm. The area is dull and grey, as water seems to come down from everywhere. Little touches like this help you forget that the engine is pretty old by this point. (8/10)

Music: The music still works like it did in H2, as more of a tension-builder than anything else. One minute you're walking along, and the next someone's seen through your disguise, and the suspenseful music kicks into gear. Overall, the soundtrack adds greatly to the feeling. (9/10)

Sound: The same as H2. It's just plain good. (8/10)

Gameplay: Yep, this is where I felt cheated. When I heard Contracts only had 12 missions, I was perfectly calm. What I then learned was that six of those missions were remakes of old H1 maps (I'd rather not say what I felt then). In addition to six well-designed new missions, you get to play through Traditions of the Trade, the Lee Hong campaign, and that one mission in Romania, all from H1, and while they have several new features and challenges, they're still the same missions they were before. Not only that, but you can't select your equipment before a mission, making the Silent Assassin rewards worthless. Fortunately, the stealth-based gameplay is as good as ever, and there are plenty of new surprises in the old missions. (7/10)

Story: This story is as bad as any of the other games, but it feels worse because it doesn't make sense until the last mission. After a hit suddenly went bad, 47 returns to his hotel room, bleeding from a most-likely fatal injury. As the doctor comes and patches him up, he flashes back to various missions in the past, which is how they got away with the old H1 missions. Still as lousy as ever, just more confusing now. (2/10)

Overall: While not the sequel I was hoping for, Contracts has enough going for it to warrant a play-through. At the very least, give it a rental. It doesn't hurt to try something new, even though it's made almost entirely from something old. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be waiting for Hitman 4...

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/03/04