Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Review (no fat)

Game Description

Crime is like rust. It never sleeps. It always finds its way into the system even when you least expect it to crop up. The Hitman franchise exemplifies this fact.

The cold assassin in black is back, shaven head and guns included. After an attempt to reform and embrace the more passive ways of life, he is pushed back into the life that he gave up when a priest is kidnapped. The genetically engineered Hitman, known as 47, goes on a mission to rescue the priest and in the process, ends up offering his services to his former employers who have the information he needs. A trail of bloodshed is the only path that 47 can take.

In Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, you play the role the enigma known as 47. A Hitman who always gets his mark. Wade through the corrupt and evil world of crime and pump lead into everything that stands in your way. As the Hitman, you are a stalker stalking his prey and will go to any corner of the earth to deliver swift, painful death to those who are on the ‘hit list’.

With a soundtrack performed by The Budapest Symphony Orchestra wafting away in the background, lurk through the maps ensuring that your contractors happy and the body bag industry thrives.

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin- Gameplay

Sequel to the PC hit, Hitman 2 features 20 missions and lots of targets to kill. The game's underlying theme is the same as it's predecessor and if you are someone who fancies FPS or third person shooters, you'll sink in pretty quick.

The game takes a non-linear route unlike games like Max Payne where you have to tread a set path to progress. Maps are well designed and the action goes global based on the contract. Once you take on a mission, you have to kill anyone who stands between you and your mark. You can adopt two approaches - stealth, where you crouch and use the element of suspense to take out people or aggression, where you just walk straight up, point your gun and squeeze the trigger as quick as possible. Enemy AI is decent but not the best, so if you do opt to get aggressive, just make sure you got enough ammo, some good reflexes and speed to beat the numbers game. Whatever method you adopt, you got to get through a mission to progress to the next.

The central character, 47, packs a decent array of weapons and moves. From choking out enemies with a wire or knocking them out with chloroform to pistols, shotguns and sniper rifles, 47 is equipped to kill. Even objects like golf clubs can be used as weapons. Every new weapon you discover gets added to your prized collection. Unlike most shooters where the hero can cart dozens of weapons in their back pockets, Hitman 2 restricts the number of weapons you can carry and you got to choose your guns before you set forth on a mission. Stealth is a vital ingredient for success and too many guns cannot be concealed.

Since the game comprises of a wide range of actions, controls can take a bit to master. However, Hitman 2 helps you get acclimatized to them in the earlier stages of the game, thereby letting you get into the action in a smooth manner. A context sensitive menu lets you perform actions with relative ease.

Overall, the game is a major improvement over its predecessor. The developers have ironed out most of the rough spots in the playability department and made this game more fluid. Players get a third person view of the action with an optional first person perspective thrown in. However, its best to stick with the third person view as it reveals more detail and also lurking enemies.

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin- Graphics and Sound

The bane of most shooting games are the umpteen graphical glitches and lack of detailing in props and environs. Hitman 2 is a refreshing change and it's pretty evident that the developers put in a lot of effort in detailing and rendering all the elements of the game. The maps are beautiful and diverse, weapons are authentic and 47 is slick and moves around in a very smooth manner. The video footages also add spice to the game. Game physics are decent and you get Max Payne style action where enemies go through death rolls and fall limp when fatally wounded.

The score by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra is the highlight of the overall sonic experience. Weapons sound as realistic as they behave and the voice acting is very well done. As the action progressed to countries like India, you get to hear snippets of local languages as well.

The distinctive achievement of the background score is that it blends in beautifully with the situation and helps accentuate the gaming experience.

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin - Summing Up

As 47, you get to leave your home in Sicily and go globe trotting in search of people to eradicate. Missions are diverse and the genetically engineered 47 has all the ingredients of a cult figure.

The game doesn't bring in innovations or cross any significant milestone as far as the gaming industry goes… it doesn't even bring in a unique story line. The plot is pretty shallow and the objectives are always the same. However, Silent Assassin has been designed well and the developers have done their bit to enhance overall looks and playability of the game. Its hours of stealth and shooting and newcomers to the franchise might enjoy the game even more than the old hands.

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin - Cost

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin currently retails at around $7.99