Note that the version I'm reviewing is the PS2's version (a PC and X-Box version is available).
Hitman Contracts is the third game in the Hitman series featuring the return of the bald badass, 47. It doesn't exactly revolutionize the series as some may may have hoped. The actual game can be though of as more of an expansion pack. The game's atmosphere is much darker as opposed to Hitman 2: Silent Assassin. You will see more blood (in the realistic sense not like Grand Theft Auto), more brutual ways of killing opponents (meat hook), and lap dances/strip steases (don't worry, there is no nudity). Every mission takes place at night and it is usually accompanied by rain. Every mission you play through the game, until the last one, are flashbacks of 47's past mission. Although this is a mix blessing, as I had read that some of these missions are nothing more then remixes of Hitman 1's missions. But for those who never played the first Hitman like me, they probably won't mind.
Graphics
At first glance, you probably won't notice much of an improvement over the second game in terms of character models. However, as you get further in the game, you will notice the improvements over Hitman 2. The weather effects are more realistic, improved lighting, and the asthetic of outdoor levels. Levels are much larger now, but thankfully they are still merticulously detailed as the second game. Of course asthetic improvements are irrevelant if the framerate isn't consistent, but I never experienced a stuttering framerate while playing so all is good. One thing that I was disappointed that wasn't ammended was 47's running animation. Somehow it feels stiff and unatural.
8/10
![[http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/hitmancontracts_013004_020.jpg]](http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/hitmancontracts_013004_020.jpg "http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/hitmancontracts_013004_020.jpg")
![[http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/hitmancontracts_021304_006.jpg]](http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/hitmancontracts_021304_006.jpg "http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/hitmancontracts_021304_006.jpg")
![[http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/hitmancontracts_041604_002.jpg]](http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/hitmancontracts_041604_002.jpg "http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/hitmancontracts_041604_002.jpg")
Audio
With a darker atmosphere, the style music has now been given a faceliff. While it's still composed by Jesper Kyd, the music is no longer performed with a choir and a symphony (Budapest Symphony in Hitman 2). The music, unfortunately, is more ambience and electronic based. Apparently there are fewer tracks, but I have heard alot of repeated tracks through the game. The developers of the game attribute the change in style because of its darker tone, but I believe there are more reasons then that....
Voice acting is still great. One thing I like about the Hitman series is how they actually have natives speak their native language. So basically you will hear Russian people speaking Russian, denizens of Hong Kong speaking Chinese, etc.
8/10
Gameplay
The gameplay hasn't changed much since the second game. The game is still quite open ended thanks to it's cleverly designed levels, and it still follows the usual objective of assassinating crime lords, triad leaders, etc. You also still have the option to switch clothes to mantain your cover. Although, I like to know how 47 manages to fit in everyone's clothing. Obviously, stealth is the ideal method to assassinate your targets. Sure you can just go rambo, but the game wasn't really designed to be played like that (trust me, fibre wiring and suffocating someone is intensely satisfying). Contracts offers you various ways to kill your enemies with "weapons" such as meat hooks, poison, pillows, bombs, and pool sticks.
The enemy's AI is neither better nor worse then in the previous game. It is slightly better in the fact that they aren't so overly suspicious when you're in a disguise (in Hitman 2, somehow the ninjas could see through your whole ninja costume), but in gunfights the enemy blindly charge and shoot you. Apparently they are also never suspicious of pools of blood.
8/10
Replay
There are about 12 missions in all. Depending on how you play the game it could take about 10 hours or less. If you're trying to achieve Silent Assassin on all missions (the rank awards you with additional weapons), it will take you alot longer to complete the game as opposed to just blasting the hell out of everyone. Even after you finish the game, there is still an incentitive to play. Maybe you want to collect all of the weapons, or maybe you just want to try to find more ways to kill your targets.
7/10
Overall 8/10
If you liked the first two games and don't mind the somewhat lack of innovation to the series, then the game is reccomended. You can a demo of the game for the PC version here.
Hitman Contracts is the third game in the Hitman series featuring the return of the bald badass, 47. It doesn't exactly revolutionize the series as some may may have hoped. The actual game can be though of as more of an expansion pack. The game's atmosphere is much darker as opposed to Hitman 2: Silent Assassin. You will see more blood (in the realistic sense not like Grand Theft Auto), more brutual ways of killing opponents (meat hook), and lap dances/strip steases (don't worry, there is no nudity). Every mission takes place at night and it is usually accompanied by rain. Every mission you play through the game, until the last one, are flashbacks of 47's past mission. Although this is a mix blessing, as I had read that some of these missions are nothing more then remixes of Hitman 1's missions. But for those who never played the first Hitman like me, they probably won't mind.
Graphics
At first glance, you probably won't notice much of an improvement over the second game in terms of character models. However, as you get further in the game, you will notice the improvements over Hitman 2. The weather effects are more realistic, improved lighting, and the asthetic of outdoor levels. Levels are much larger now, but thankfully they are still merticulously detailed as the second game. Of course asthetic improvements are irrevelant if the framerate isn't consistent, but I never experienced a stuttering framerate while playing so all is good. One thing that I was disappointed that wasn't ammended was 47's running animation. Somehow it feels stiff and unatural.
8/10
Audio
With a darker atmosphere, the style music has now been given a faceliff. While it's still composed by Jesper Kyd, the music is no longer performed with a choir and a symphony (Budapest Symphony in Hitman 2). The music, unfortunately, is more ambience and electronic based. Apparently there are fewer tracks, but I have heard alot of repeated tracks through the game. The developers of the game attribute the change in style because of its darker tone, but I believe there are more reasons then that....
Voice acting is still great. One thing I like about the Hitman series is how they actually have natives speak their native language. So basically you will hear Russian people speaking Russian, denizens of Hong Kong speaking Chinese, etc.
8/10
Gameplay
The gameplay hasn't changed much since the second game. The game is still quite open ended thanks to it's cleverly designed levels, and it still follows the usual objective of assassinating crime lords, triad leaders, etc. You also still have the option to switch clothes to mantain your cover. Although, I like to know how 47 manages to fit in everyone's clothing. Obviously, stealth is the ideal method to assassinate your targets. Sure you can just go rambo, but the game wasn't really designed to be played like that (trust me, fibre wiring and suffocating someone is intensely satisfying). Contracts offers you various ways to kill your enemies with "weapons" such as meat hooks, poison, pillows, bombs, and pool sticks.
The enemy's AI is neither better nor worse then in the previous game. It is slightly better in the fact that they aren't so overly suspicious when you're in a disguise (in Hitman 2, somehow the ninjas could see through your whole ninja costume), but in gunfights the enemy blindly charge and shoot you. Apparently they are also never suspicious of pools of blood.
8/10
Replay
There are about 12 missions in all. Depending on how you play the game it could take about 10 hours or less. If you're trying to achieve Silent Assassin on all missions (the rank awards you with additional weapons), it will take you alot longer to complete the game as opposed to just blasting the hell out of everyone. Even after you finish the game, there is still an incentitive to play. Maybe you want to collect all of the weapons, or maybe you just want to try to find more ways to kill your targets.
7/10
Overall 8/10
If you liked the first two games and don't mind the somewhat lack of innovation to the series, then the game is reccomended. You can a demo of the game for the PC version here.
![[http://members.aol.com/DrkJedi82/hmcontracts.jpg]](http://members.aol.com/DrkJedi82/hmcontracts.jpg "http://members.aol.com/DrkJedi82/hmcontracts.jpg")