Hitman - Episode 1: Paris Reviews
Hitman: Episode One represents a magnificent return to form for the franchise
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's season premiere is a nice opening act that's centers around a luxurious world that feels authentic. If you can overlook the stagnant, often useless AI and enjoy the real fun of figuring out how to get to the kill, you'll have a great time.
It's clear that a great deal of effort has gone into making the Paris map a living, breathing world for you to play around in. The mission itself feels absolutely brimming with nuance and possibility, although it's a shame the same cannot be said for the extra modes being offered to as a distraction until episode two comes out.
Hitman manages to live up to its own reputation and may very well get even better as more content is rolled out. A fine stealth game.
A strong start for Agent 47 that will have old-school fans in their element as they experiment with murder, although a few technical challenges still need to be taken out back and introduced to some piano wires around the throat.
We're only one episode in, but Hitman already excels as an episodic game.
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.
What Hitman is now won't necessarily be what it is when the game's seven episodes have all been released, but a strong foundation is there. This game is the most authentic Hitman experience and it will ask you to become intimately familiar with each level. It is something that will test your patience, intelligence and skills, and when you put it all together will reward you greatly for it.
Whether or not you're a fan of the series, the game will have the piano wire around your neck before you know it.
This first episode strikes a fine balance between accessibility and pleasing long term fans to make this the finest slice of Hitman since Blood Money. Some technical issues do sadly mar an otherwise superb start to Agent 47's latest.
If the rest of the episodes match the quality on offer in Hitman's Paris debut, this could end up being the definitive Hitman game, its first big level already cementing itself as one of our favourite Hitman missions of all time. We can't wait for our next hit.
Destination one in Agent 47's now-episodic global travelogue shows IO Interactive know how to get Hitman back in fashion. A strong, stylish opening to the new game.
At the end of the day, Hitman's buzzword is freedom. There are so many things to do – and so many ways to do them – that you'll never have to persevere to find something fun to do. It's all in front of you: a bloody, disturbing playground rife with opportunity. The trial and error gameplay brings back memories of older Hitman titles, while new ideas such as the excellent Escalation mode keep things fresh. Simply put, the Intro Pack is a great buy for old fans and new blood alike – there aren't many stealth games of this calibre.
Buy it at the right time and you won't be disappointed, especially if you're a completionist. This is Hitman done right.
Mechanically, the gameplay feels tight and I did not have any issues with the camera or sneaking around.
A devilishly delightful return to form
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.
A strong start to the campaign, marred by some annoying technical issues.
The wait has been long for a new Hitman game, and good as it may be, this one's going to have you waiting even longer for the full experience.