Hitman - Episode 3: Marrakesh Reviews
Hitman is definitely the stealth action game it was promised, and turning the series episodic has really upped how each new chapter is turning out.
Episode 3: Marrakesh is entertaining but it doesn't build upon the brilliant Sapienza mission!
Hitman’s latest episode has some impressive moments, but Marrakesh feels limited compared to the sprawling, interconnected layouts of Paris and Sapienza. It’s part of an increasingly great game and still provides some solid stealth action, but don’t be surprised if you’re not coming back to this one for more than a few tries.
The tone of the level itself feels like it’s been ripped straight out of a Bond movie
Existing grievances aside, Hitman: Episode 3 - Marrakesh sets a rather high bar with what to expect next from developer IO Interactive. The consistent level design and wealth of options from previous entries is ramped up exponentially here with a welcome sense of scale. Although we'll have to wait to see how the entire series pans out, its current direction is promising and there's no greater proof than Agent 47's Moroccan adventure.
Hitman Episode 3 continues to offer interesting missions with multiple ways of tackling them, but also manages to retain its lingering issues. The third episode's increased challenge is welcome, though Marrakesh turns out to be a rather uneventful setting.
Far from bad, or even mediocre, yet even further from being awesome, Hitman: Episode 3 - Marrakesh is just… good. It's playable, it's fun, it will manage to please fans of the series, but it's inferior to the previous chapter in almost every aspect, and, most of all, it feels rushed. Hopefully, the same won't happen with the, still yet to come, fourth episode.
'Marrakesh' is a step back from the successes of previous episodes, but not dramatically so. IO seems to be experimenting with different playstyles that leave less room for debate, but the classic DNA of 'Hitman' permeates everything and I will have no problem coming back for the next round.
Marrakesh is a great episode, but it pales in comparison with the two previous ones, which feel much more dense. While it still gorgeous and full of life, certain areas feel a bit dull, just go-through areas with few to none opportunities.
While the game is coming together quite nicely, I can't quit recommend the full season pass unless you really enjoyed a previous Hitman like Blood Money. Still no sure why they decided to do the episodic release. Anyways we will review the next episode when it comes out so be sure to check back for that!
Disappointingly, the game didn’t offer much of a new style in gameplay in this episode. There are similar challenges on how you take out your targets, and only a few new “challenges” were featured in Marrakesh which makes it repetitive and lacks new features. Hitman – Episode 3: Marrakesh might be an episode not worthy to remember for others who were impressed with Paris and Sapienza.
The situation in Marrakesh has great potential in providing a sense of pressure, but it falls short in its linearity along with the voice work which lessens the immersion. Hitman is still a solid title, yet this third episode is slightly weaker then the previous two.
Hitman’s third episode would have been barely acceptable in non-episodic fashion, but the value both in replay-ability and price starts to diminish when placed elsewhere. I still appreciate the detail in all the locales, but it’s clear the game needs to mature beyond another point.
This in no way means Hitman Episode 3 is a bad episode or not enjoyable. It was still enjoyable to an extent, but it definitely does not hold up to the level of mastery that IO Interactive pulled off with Paris and Sapienza. If this had been a standalone release, or the first mission released in the episodic nature, I wouldn’t feel too comfortable with the rest of the releases going forward. But since this was released in the middle of the life cycle, and there is still three additional missions to go, it doesn’t affect things to drastically.
IO Interactive continues Hitman's reboot with another sprawling level that doesn't disappoint. Even if its episodic nature doesn't feel completely necessary, each dose of content will keep you plenty busy until the next one arrives.
Hopefully things pick up for the next episodes as the signs are definitely pointing to what is an average title.