Hitman: Contracts

"Hitman Just keeps getting better..."

Intro
I remember the first time I played the original (Hitman Codename 47) on PC. I was blown away, Hitman was the game that raised the bar when it came to enjoying a game, back then it was of pure shooting and running, not that it was bad, but at times it would get boring. Then came Hitman 2: Silent Assassin it gave you that feeling of been a true professional assassin, it gave you that pleasure of disguising your self as the person you killed then go in and kill your target and at all times the guards taught you were the guest of honor. It also brought the new "Silent Assassin" Style, In which you had to be as secretive as possible when killing your target(s). And NOW came along Hitman Contracts which did not raise the bar as the previous two installment but it did not move it back either. In case you did not know Hitman Contracts is a prequel of Hitman 2 (although, this is technically the 3rd Hitman game it is not a fallow up of Hitman 2, it is a fallow up of the Original Hitman: Codename 47). In this game you get new weapons and many new animations. And in my opinion Hitman Just keeps getting better, If you are a fan of Hitman like I am you will love this game just as I do, and without further a do here we go...

Gameplay 9/10
You are "Mr. 47" a genetically engineered assassin for hire, a LEGEND. You were design to be a perfect assassin to carry on with your hit list and to not leave any evidence of you. But after the first game it looks like someone caught up with you and shot you almost to death. At this time you are passing out and having flashbacks of the "Hits" you did, many of them are from the original and some new ones as wel. At the first level you start out where you last left, you just killed your creator and now need to get out of there. Then the story continues on, this games story is not as intense and the previous two but I liked it. Anyway in this Hitman there are many new weapons, although you might not notice them since they aren't all that revolutionary but are just there for you to enjoy, two that you will definitely notice are the Hook and Pillow, with the hook you can creep up behind people and then grab them from the neck and strangle them backwards to death. With the pillow you can suffocate people to death or put the pillow on the victims face and shoot him. There are also many new animations with the Fiber Wire, you can do many different kills with it, like the backward choke (just like the hook), the fast choke, and many others. It is still like Hitman 2, were you can either do your kills as silent as you want or if you are a little down just shoot everyone that walks. Although you will be missing the point if you just blow trough every level like this.

Multiplayer
As you might imagine it, there is none. Its just a one player game and well its better this way, because honestly how would you be able to play cooperative? And what would be the purpose of online game? There would be a death match and maybe capture the flag but how would you imply the Silent Assassin rating? and would that be Hitman material? in my opinion HECK NO!!!

Graphics 8/10
Although they are not revolutionary, they are very good. The scenes look very good, and my favorite level is level 2 (The MeatKing's Party) the blood on this level is intense and it is well balanced. The fire on your guns look cool and the smoke that comes out after you shot is even cooler. The rain looks better and the lightning is very cool. Also the peoples faces are more diverse and look more human then they used to. So over all the graphics are better for the best.

Sound 9/10
The sound is very well done, although there is no custom sound tracks it is very good. At times the beat goes up when you are in either problems or are in a process of getting caught, and at times there is no sound. And it is perfect, because when you are nervous all you hear is your plan of getting out, nothing else.

Bottom Line
Hitman Contracts is a great game and I would definitely recommend it. If you were a fan since day one go out and buy it. I have told all my friends to go buy it, because I know what type of games they like, but since there are so much diversity out there I would tell you to play it safe and rent it first. Also this game Is rated M for a reason so if you are a person who does not like violence in games don't buy it, if you are planing to buy it for your child slap your self and don't buy it. And if you do buy it you have been warned...

-White Wolf
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Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/02/04