After playing this game, I can't help but feel that it pales in comparison to its predecessor. This game has less content, a very weak story, and no meaningful changes to the gameplay formula, yet it still isn't a bad game.
This game consists of contracts, both new and remade from the first game, Codename 47. This makes sense because the first game was not released on consoles, so it would seem the devs wanted to retell some of the story in this game as an introductory point for new players. Except that point would be refuted by the presence of time-jumps and a lack of narrative for the contracts. The actual overlying narrative consists of 47 remembering past contracts while unconscious or something, so I was a bit disappointed.
Aside from two missions which have identical maps, the missions and maps were very well designed. Locations were varied, and the ways you could kill your targets would be unique for each level. Jesper Kyd's turn to a more gloomy and atmospheric soundtrack, as opposed to the grand orchestral soundtrack of Hitman 2, gives this game a more dark vibe, never glorifying what it is that Agent 47 is doing. Like always, completing a Hitman level with a decent rating and without any help seems like one of the most satisfying things you could do. In terms of what new stuff was added, syringes which allowed faster knockout times were added, dead npcs would show up on the map, you could conceal weapons in certain things, and probably some more insignificant things.
The absolute worst part of this game is the almost two hours I spent figuring out how to run it. Hitman Contracts is a technical disaster. Just look up this game's issues and you'll see that the devs didn't make sure that this game was as stable as Hitman 2 or even Codename 47 for that matter.
I wish I could give this game a 'meh' rating, as the technical issues alone detracted from my experience severely. I am happy that it wasn't officially called Hitman 3, because this game just doesn't have the scope to back that up. This game's 9 month production time is evident in its shorter length, somewhat absent story, and unchanged gameplay, yet Hitman: Contracts remains a solid gameplay experience that provides fun and satisfaction. Treat this game more like a slight detour from the main Hitman series, as it provides more of the gameplay and almost none of the story.
This game consists of contracts, both new and remade from the first game, Codename 47. This makes sense because the first game was not released on consoles, so it would seem the devs wanted to retell some of the story in this game as an introductory point for new players. Except that point would be refuted by the presence of time-jumps and a lack of narrative for the contracts. The actual overlying narrative consists of 47 remembering past contracts while unconscious or something, so I was a bit disappointed.
Aside from two missions which have identical maps, the missions and maps were very well designed. Locations were varied, and the ways you could kill your targets would be unique for each level. Jesper Kyd's turn to a more gloomy and atmospheric soundtrack, as opposed to the grand orchestral soundtrack of Hitman 2, gives this game a more dark vibe, never glorifying what it is that Agent 47 is doing. Like always, completing a Hitman level with a decent rating and without any help seems like one of the most satisfying things you could do. In terms of what new stuff was added, syringes which allowed faster knockout times were added, dead npcs would show up on the map, you could conceal weapons in certain things, and probably some more insignificant things.
The absolute worst part of this game is the almost two hours I spent figuring out how to run it. Hitman Contracts is a technical disaster. Just look up this game's issues and you'll see that the devs didn't make sure that this game was as stable as Hitman 2 or even Codename 47 for that matter.
I wish I could give this game a 'meh' rating, as the technical issues alone detracted from my experience severely. I am happy that it wasn't officially called Hitman 3, because this game just doesn't have the scope to back that up. This game's 9 month production time is evident in its shorter length, somewhat absent story, and unchanged gameplay, yet Hitman: Contracts remains a solid gameplay experience that provides fun and satisfaction. Treat this game more like a slight detour from the main Hitman series, as it provides more of the gameplay and almost none of the story.