Hitman Contracts

by Square Enix

Product Features

• The thrill of the original Hitman missions return - multiple objectives and multiple ways of achieving them
• Play out each of Agent 47's nightmarish flashbacks as a mission -- each one holds a piece of the story, explaining what happened to him
• New attacks for stealth killing and more alert enemies make the action more challenging than ever
• Sneak into a Russian base to destroy a submarine, or murder a prominent Asian politician - and other dangerous missions that challenge your ability to think fast & improvise
• Amazing new weapons, from a fiberwire(for strangling) to meat hooks, syringes, Chinese swords, even new sniper rifles and twin Uzis

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0001AVSH8
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: April 20, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,981 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Game Informer Review

With a body count that doubles on each passing day, it was only a matter of time before Agent 47 cracked. In this third installment in the Hitman series, IO Interactive is inviting players to step into the mind of this ruthless contract killer and experience his mental anguish firsthand. Within the first few seconds the game, players bear witness to Agent 47 collapsing to the floor and losing consciousness. This spurs an interactive dream sequence set within a mental institution (which may seem familiar to those of you who played through the previous two titles). As Agent 47 fades in and out of consciousness, many of the stages that you will traverse represent a different memory in his tormented mind. Taking a stroll down memory lane, you'll perform the hits that shaped him into the hard-hearted killing machine that he is today.

Invading Agent 47's brain is a clever idea that does help flesh out the character to a certain degree, but I had an incredibly difficult time following the plotline. As clichéd as the previous two stories were, you couldn't help but fall in love with the events at hand. In this game, each passing second brought greater disinterest and a longing for the game to lose the artistic storytelling and get back to a hackneyed motion picture plot.

The delivery of Agent 47's exploits is just the tip of the iceberg concerning material that doesn't sit well. Regarding gameplay, IO has made significant strides to open it up and grant players greater freedom of choice. No longer are you railroaded into using just one technique to perform a hit. You can usually find two or three methods that will work. While I did get a kick out of watching Agent 47 put someone down with a syringe to the neck or a pillow to the face, I mostly relied on running and gunning to clear out areas. The first-person element works much better this time around (although the gun graphics are still quite appalling), and your foes usually don't show the greatest of intelligence when they lay down an assault. You can usually lead them into a trap, and within seconds, have a pile of six or seven guards at your feet. Of course, the option to sneak through every stage undetected is still there, but you are rarely forced to duck out of sight.

Without being coerced into using a specific technique, you just feel lost in Contracts' massive levels. You'll often find yourself wandering aimlessly looking for the needle in the haystack that will complete the next objective. There really aren't any tense situations, calculated hits, or elements of surprise this time around.

Making the gameplay less linear really threw a kink in the chemistry that worked so well in the first two games. All told, Contracts is an ambitious release for IO, but the end result is a garbled mess of a game that has lost its way.

Concept:
Learn how Agent 47 became a contract killer through slightly confusing storytelling, and missions that are not nearly as taxing

Graphics:
The environment detailing and realism in the character models is outstanding, but the first-person gun graphics are downright appalling

Sound:
The soundtrack and ambient noises are implemented brilliantly and add punch to the experience

Playability:
Not nearly as demanding of skill. Running and gunning usually works best

Entertainment:
Easily the worst entry in the series. It no longer has that killer hook

Replay:
Moderately Low

Rated: 7.25 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
Issue: June 2004

2nd Opinion:
Hitman 2 was a refreshing addition to the stealth game canon, and a wildly popular console hit. However, it was a fairly linear adventure, forcing you to use a ton of trial-and-error and quick saving as you deliberately made your way through the levels laden with soon-to-be-deceased enemies. Hitman: Contracts seeks to give you more freedom, and in doing so largely loses what made the game compelling in the first place. In the opening level, you'll quickly learn that even if you blow your cover and alert the guards, it's easier to shoot your way out of a tight spot in the improved first-person view than it is to be stealthy. Also, given that it's hard to discern where you have to go to complete certain level goals, you often end up wandering around, randomly picking off enemies instead of plotting a devious course to success. In this sequel, Hitman feels less like a great stealth title than a mediocre shooter with a few cool gadgets and abilities.

Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Matt Helgeson


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Product Description

Hitman: Contracts takes players back into the world of Agent 47, genetically engineered assassin. In this new game, we find him in a hotel room in Paris. Shot up and full of painkillers, he begins hallucinating. As his mind wanders, we'll travel to the missions that left him in this sorry state. Amazing locations, from a realistic slaughterhouse to recreations of Holland, France, China, England & more Incredible all-new graphics and advanced AI pull you into the world of the assassin - hyperrealistic graphics make you feel like you're watching a movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great game, April 24, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Hitman Contracts (Video Game)

I haven't played too much of the game, but what I've played so far is much more fun and much less frustrating than Hitman 2. Hitman 2 was fun in its own right, but at times got extremely frustrating because of the ease at which your cover could be blown. In this one, though not a whole lot has changed control-wise, it seems as if it's easier and more doable to go through the game by taking different routes. Also, in response to the three customers that commented before me, I do agree that games have gotten much more violent over the past few years, however these games are not intended for kids, nor should they be sold to them. It isn't the game developer's responisbility to put out games that are acceptable for all audiences, instead it is the PARENT'S responsibility to make sure that their kid isn't playing these types of games until he's old enough to play them...Hence the rating system. If you feel bad about playing these games or feel that it's morally wrong to play such games, don't play them, but also don't complain about how they're not suitable for children when it's quite obvious that they were not intended for children.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you liked the previous Hitman games this is for you, June 15, 2005

By 

H. N. Teixeira (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Hitman Contracts (Video Game)

Hitman Contracts did a lot of things right. The missions are much more open, the interaction is improved, and even the load times seem smaller. If you liked the previous Hitman games this certainly will work for you, I loved even the first Hitman game despite the then horrible control interface in the PC version of Hitman I. So all of that is better, but there still are some snags.

1) the enemy A.I. remains lacking. You can still just ambush them as they run stupid one after another past a door.

2) the briefings are horrible, I though Hitman 2 explained a lot more what was expected of the mission. In this case you often have to stumble a bit to find some of the crucial aspects.

3) there is no plot. I always thought this was going to be a straight up prequel. But the "story" is mostly the memories of 47 as he is wounded and remembering his past contracts. This form creates a very strong disconnect between missions as well.

4) there are limits on save games per level. I just hate that, specially since I love to try to kill no one but the target, which means a lot of risks and potential loading. IMHO this was done only to increase the hours of gameplay since the game is relatively short. And considering how sometimes a simple error can ruin your stealth; it is easy to press a wrong button and accidentaly pull out a gun, or a common programming error where a guard sees you through doing something you wish he hadn't seen. That sort of stuff is mostly ok, but I wish there wasn't a limit on saves per level.

That said I don't wish to paint too negative of a picture. It is still Hitman, it still is pretty good, and it is a great step up from the original Hitman. It just didn't feel better than Hitman 2.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sneek around, hit some people, enjoy a game, May 28, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Hitman Contracts (Video Game)

Hitman should be considered a stealth game when categorizing it. Sure you can go through the game guns blazing and making all sorts of noise, killing who ever you please - but the point of the game is to take out your intended target and ONLY your intended target. When trying to run and shoot and even aim, it's difficult and I do admit, they could have done a better job there. The fact still remains, if you sneak up on your mark then you should have all the time in the world to aim at his head and squeeze that silenced round into his noggin.

Graphically the game is average for a third person game. They have added weather effects which are nice but let's face it, you don't play a game to look at snow or rain. The character models are a tad bit stiff and you feel like you're gliding more than running. Gameplay is the best part of this game making it a worthy purchase if you're a fan a stealth. Yes, you can kill who you please but you will not get the Silent Assassin rating if you do so which makes it even harder to complete missions adding more challenge to a game that would otherwise be easy to breeze through. Getting the Silent Assassin rating on a mission unlocks a secret weapon for each level you are able to achieve this supreme rating. The levels feel very open and you only have a certain amount of time to do certain things (ie. Poison a drink before it reaches the person) which makes this game a sort of trial and error. You do get some cool weapons but for the most part you'll be using an assortment of melee weapons or silenced weapons to complete the task at hand.

This game is a blast either way you try to complete it and should no be overlooked by any fan of the 3rd person shooter family or someone looking to be "sneaky sneaky." Stealth fans will definitely get more from this game as the straight through, mow down everyone in your path approach, completes levels a bit quick. The star off is basically for the character models being not up to my standards as far as they should look. Also, the fact that you have to repeat parts of the level over and over is somewhat tedious. Be that as it may, this game is enjoyable for the most part and worth a spot in your box or station library.