Hitman: Contracts

"Cool, but predictable."

Everyone loved Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, so everyone's all hyped up and ready for a new and more improved game. Of course, unlike a lot of games, people have every right to be hyped about this game, because this is pretty good, but I really don't think this game is improved. I think it went a little downward in the fun factor category. Sure, the graphics are better, but who cares? The story I think is worse. This time, there's absolutely no point in any of the missions at all. Unless, the story is really hard to follow. You just go on random missions, because the agency's client told you to.

Even though there are some little flaws like the ones I just mentioned, this game is still pretty cool. The game-play is almost the same, but at least there are multiple ways to get Silent Assassin in each mission. In Hitman 2, there was always only one way. Like in Hitman 2, being stealthy gives you a better variety of cool things you can do. They're still all pretty much the same, but they're still good. You still get to strangle and slit people's throats, but in place of anesthetics, you get to use syringes. It really doesn't matter because they have the same affect. Of course, if you want, you can forget about all that and just run in a blow everybody's brains out. The reason this game is predictable, is because, the missions are nothing special. They are just something you'd expect, and they're also something you would want more out of, especially since this is a sequel.

This game is still realistic. They game is very well set up. (If you want to see how, just look at my Hitman 2 review.) But, there is the improved graphics and visual affects. This game actually LOOKS realistic. The blood definitely, looks better, and there are no explosions that you can really see, so that little problem was just thrown aside. It looks better when you are firing your weapon. The smoke, actually changes shape. One thing I can also say about firing your weapon (which is not graphics related, by the way) is that you actually get recoil. In Hitman 2, there was recoil, but only when you fired your sniper. Even the 12 gauge in Hitman 2, didn't have any recoil at all. This game has that little flaw taken care of.

There are some minor problems that needed to be changed. They are: the game is shorter and easier than the last. It's especially shorter. It's only about 4 hours long the first time around. Each mission probably takes about 15 minutes, and this time, there are only 12 missions. They aren't pulse-pounding anymore because they're a lot easier as well. I got silent assassin on the first few levels the first time I tried. And it's easy to survive, when you cover is blown.

This game, unlike the last, does not motivate you to beat it again. Once you beat it once, you're probably already bored of the game. There isn't much of a variety of weapons, and none of them are unique. Like in Hitman 2, you get a scalpel, a fire axe, a combat knife, a golf club, and my favorite, the crossbow. This game just has only guns. And each gun does the same damage as all the other guns in it's category. (ex. all pistols are the same) So, you don't want to go back and collect all the weapons because, if you have at least one weapon of each type, then you basically have them all.

SCORES:
Story:4/10
Game-play: 8/10
Graphics: 9/10
Length: 7/10
Difficulty: 7/10
Fun Factor: 8/10
Replay: 5/10

OVERALL: 8/10- This game has it's fill of flaws, fun it's still cool.

BUY, RENT, OR NEITHER: I think you should rent this game first. This game is a bit deproved, so if your a big Hitman fan, this may disappoint you. Just take my advice, and rent it before buying it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/20/04