Hitman - Episode 1: Paris Reviews
Overall, the Hitman reboot is something I expected for a stealth game. The franchise reboot installment went to a path of letting players experience what an ultimate assassin should be, it didn't disappoint, but with all the server issues plus the 90% to be always-online overthrows the long-term experience of what Io Interactive wants to give to its players. Until the servers are fixed and stable, it's the first impression that makes the game worth buying.
Despite being a smart progression of Blood Money's ideas, Hitman feels unrefined and unfinished in lots of small but important ways.
Still, there's plenty here for a certain type of person to sink their teeth into, it just might not be a method of delivery that appeals to everyone. The only doubt could be that Io Interactive doesn't deliver this level of quality every month, at which point there's only patience separating you from the retail release in 2017. Should Io maintain these heady heights though, then this will be a stellar return to form for Agent 47.
While the buggy AI and server issues hurt the Hitman experience, it isn't enough to hamper the core gameplay, which is fantastic.
Playing by the rules can still be fun, and despite my misgivings I'm interested in seeing more Hitman in the coming months. Its lavish environments allow for enough outcomes and stories that I can't dismiss its decision to trade real freedom for bespoke scenarios out of hand. And most importantly, the illusion it offers of getting in and out without being seen and on your own terms lingers just long enough to be worthwhile. I'm just disappointed it was an illusion in the first place.
The new Hitman carefully mixes drama, comedy, action and a well-designed location to create a world that the player will enjoy discovering and a variety of systems that are great to interact with and even break, and we can only hope that the other coming missions deliver on the promise of this first episode.
A devilishly delightful return to form
I'm still not entirely sold on the way Hitman is being sold, in an episodic package that will open up over the next few months. Regardless, the game is off to a great start thus far, despite minor glitches and drab conversations. Agent 47 continues to be a master of his killing skills, and the first stage of the game, along with the escalation mode and Contracts, really give you a better idea of what's ahead. This is one assassination you'll want to see through to the end.
Hitman Intro Pack will cost you $15, with each upcoming location carrying the retail price of $10. Time will tell if this is a good business model. However, from what we can tell at the moment, a majority of users aren't quite happy with having yet another triple-A game that's chopped up and essentially being delivered one bit at a time.
After a decade of uncertainty for the Hitman series, and one sizeable misstep, Hitman 2016 is nothing short of a triumph in terms of being a course correction. Purely in terms of gameplay it is perhaps the best the series has ever been, so what will define this latest Hitman is how IOI handle the remaining episodes, and smooth out the glaring problems with server connectivity and load times.
There is not much to say about the story for the Hitman Intro Pack, but it does leave the player at quite a cliffhanger. Impressive graphics and intuitive gameplay mechanics give this game a good replay value, but it boils down to if you would want to play the same mission over and over again before the next episode comes out.
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Hitman has refined its gameplay, while having options that help newcomers, but should not upset existing fans, and as such, is a solid start that hopefully keeps getting better and upping the variety with each mission added.
Hitman is being released episode by episode, and I will reviewing each episode as they come out over the next months. Doing so, my overall rating for the game may change in the long run. I get the sense that IO Interactive is beginning to master the art of free-form assassination by providing players with the tools needed to devise a truly unique Hitman experience; thus creating depth in the shallows. One thing is certain: Hitman 2016 is fun and full of replay value.
Square-Enix are off to an excellent start with the first episode of Hitman, the gameplay is challenging while remaining fun and creative. Occasional performance issues do little to spoil the experience, as the level of detail more than makes up for the framerate problems. The game is accessible to both hardcore fans and newcomers alike, allowing players to choose their own play style. Not only is baldy Hitman back, he's back in style.
Based solely on the over-before-you-know-it first installment, Io Interactive's decision to segment its latest assassin adventure appears ill conceived
Hitman's improved world, which includes smarter NPCs and versatile ways to complete goals, has brought the series onto a higher level of entertainment. Definitely worth a go.
For $10 Hitman offers you a lot of quality content to go through. On the other hand for 60$ you will be left feeling bitter because of the lack of content currently. I’d say give it a go at the $10 price point and if you like it buy the season pass for the rest of the missions.
Plenty of promise, but this game is going to require some decent updates over the coming months.
The new Hitman is a love note to all the hardcore fans out there, and I love that. It embraces the idea that we should try to maintain very distinct genres, that not everyone on the planet wants action and other genre elements to invade their beloved stealth category. Furthermore, it improves on just about every aspect of the standard hunt-and-kill concept, adding more depth and intricacy while streamlining the experience and upping the immersion.
Square Enix and IO Interactive's new take on Hitman successfully blends the qualities that made the game famous with some modern innovations and remarkable detail.