Psssst. Want someone to put your evil boss to sleep for good? Bennett Ring is the man for the job.
Admit it -- there is a psychopathic part of your psyche that finds the idea of being a professional contract killer very attractive. Don't be afraid -- we're all soulless murderers at heart; it's called the human survival instinct. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin will bring this dark side of your personality to the surface, allowing you to dish out death in more creative and different ways than you'd find in even the goriest serial killer flick.
The original Hitman suffered from a chronic case of woeful AI, and as a result wasn't anywhere near as popular as the concept deserved. It also had major issues with game saves, making it more of an exercise in frustration than an enjoyable computer game. The developers of the game took these criticisms on board, and corrected them perfectly for the sequel, with the end result being that Hitman 2 is the game the original tried so hard to be.
Hitman 2 uses a revamped version of the original's graphics engine, and ends up being a very attractive game. It's not quite up there with the UT2003s of this world, but it's not far off, with the added bonus that you won't need a 3GHz/RADEON 9700 PRO to play it at decent frame rates. You'll be amazed by the large open vistas within the game, and their populations of nicely detailed characters. Every single one of course, is begging for a bullet to the temple.
The game is designed to be played from the third-person perspective, but it is possible to zoom into the first-person view. Unfortunately this view uses the same models as the third-person view, which means it looks crap. Stick to the third person view as the developers intended and you won't even notice this flaw, but it would have been nice to have a decent first-person view. Thanks to a rag-doll physics engine, the people you decimate will behave realistically, flopping about all over the place instead of magically falling through walls and floors. Animation is superb, with a massive range of possible movements available to each NPC. For example, one of the guards I watched through my digital binoculars strolled up a path, had a cough, took a piss and then pulled out a cigarette before lighting up. So I killed him. Because you'll spend so much time scoping out each area before making your move, this diversity in NPC actions will help to keep you captivated the entire time.
The lovely in-game graphics are interspersed by some of the most cinematographic cut-scenes we've ever seen in a game. These really help to accomplish the feeling that you're playing the part of the central character in a film.
Each level revolves around a hit -- you'll be tasked with killing one or more people and getting away with it before the mission ends. A very cool briefing at the start of each contract details why that person needs to die, and will give you tips on how to carry out the job. Footage of the victim shot from a hidden camera, rendered via the in-game engine, is yet another cool touch that will make you appreciate the polish in this title.
You then need to pick the weapons for the job, and there are more guns to choose from in Hitman 2 than you'll find in an American High School. Some of the cooler weapons can only be accessed if you achieve certain missions in certain ways.
Once you've picked your tools of the trade, it's time to kick some head. Generally you'll start off the game by scoping out your environment, before proceeding with whatever plan you think will work best. You see, each mission can be accomplished in three or four totally different ways, making this game very replayable, as well as immensely satisfying, in a way that reminded us of Deus Ex.
A large part of the Hitman experience is evading the patrolling guards that inhabit each environment. These guards exhibit AI that is for the most part brilliant, but it occasionally flips over to the 'total idiot' side. They're smart enough to realise when the US M4A1 rifle you're carrying doesn't match the Russian uniform you stole from the last guy you capped, but will often run straight into your hail of bullets as if it were a stream of water on a hot Summer day. This is actually the biggest flaw of the game -- if you go in with all guns blazing, clearing a level is quite simple, and you'll zip through the game in no time.
However, you'll be punished when it comes to the final ranking given to you, which is based on how many people you killed, as killing only the mark rewards you with the uber rank of Silent Assassin, with more guns as a result, so you're encouraged to take the sneaky approach.
The sound effects are worthy of mention, acting as a valuable cue to tip you off to the position of approaching enemies. The Budapest Symphony Orchestra and Choir provide the sound track, which is as superb and epic as you'd expect coming from such esteemed musicians. If you really dig the music, it's even available on a separate CD.
Other than the slightly weird AI, Hitman 2 is a game that stinks of high production values in every area, from the in-game map to the pre-mission briefings. Just make sure that you try to take the stealthy approach -- the game is infinitely more rewarding when played this way, and won't be spent in a matter of hours
Issue: 137 | June, 2012