Hitman (2016 video game)

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Hitman
Developer(s)IO Interactive
Publisher(s)Square Enix
Director(s)Christian Elverdam
Writer(s)Michael Vogt
Composer(s)Niels Bye Nielsen
SeriesHitman
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Release
Episode 1
Full retail version
Genre(s)Action-adventure, stealth
Mode(s)Single-player

Hitman is an episodic action-adventure stealth video game developed by IO Interactive and published by Square Enix for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It was the sixth entry in the Hitman series. The game's prologue acts as a prequel to the series, however the main game takes place after the events of Hitman: Absolution.[1]

Gameplay

Hitman is a third-person stealth video game in which players take control of Agent 47, a genetically enhanced, superhuman assassin, travelling to international locations and eliminating contracted targets. As in other games in the Hitman series, players are given a large amount of room for creativity in approaching their assassinations.[2] For instance, players may utilise long-ranged rifles to snipe a target from a long distance, or they may decide to assassinate the target at close range by using blade weapons or garrote wire. Players can also use explosives, or disguise the assassination by creating a seemingly accidental death.[3] A common method to approach a mission is to incapacitate other characters and wear their outfits as a disguise, which allows the player to gain access to restricted areas more easily.[4] Actions of the non-playable characters influence the game. For instance, players can gain more information about the position of their target through listening to a nearby news reporter.[5]

A player's mission performance is rated by factors such as the time taken, number of innocent people killed, number of witnesses or CCTV captures, or whether special equipment was left behind. Bonuses like new gadgets are awarded to players in accordance to their performance during missions.[6] Some missions are time-limited. If players fail to assassinate the "elusive" target before the mission expires, or alert the target and allow them to escape, the target will not return. Players are also able to unlock unique suits.[7] All additional downloadable content after release are free of charge.[8]

The level design of the game features a structure similar to that of Hitman: Blood Money, as opposed to the linear structure of Hitman: Absolution. Every level in the game is a small sandbox which can be explored by players. Levels are larger in Hitman, in which the maps in the game are "six to seven times larger than the biggest levels in Absolution". Levels accommodate about 300 non-playable characters (NPCs), with each having different routines and reacting differently to players' actions.[9] Players can save their game anytime during missions.[10] Contracts mode also returned in Hitman. Players can create scenarios and assign NPCs as the assassination targets, with them able to be shared with other players.[11] Instinct mode, which was introduced in Absolution, returned and was simplified.[10]

Synopsis

In 1992, twenty years before the events of Hitman: Absolution,[1] 47 arrives at an ICA training facility in central Europe, where he meets fellow trainee Diana Burnwood. Under her supervision, 47 participates in several simulated missions to evaluate his skill sets while also going through a psych evaluation and a thorough background check, although they find nothing to support 47's story or his activities before joining the ICA. While Burnwood is greatly impressed, her superior, Training Director Erich Soders, is convinced that 47 is too dangerous without any leverage to keep him in line. Seeing 47 as a potential threat to the ICA, Soders rigs his final test so that it will be impossible to complete. In response, Burnwood breaks the rules by directly intervening to assist 47. Soders reluctantly approves him for field duty and assigns Diana to act as his handler.

In the present day, Agent 47 is sent to Paris to assassinate fashion mogul Viktor Novikov and his partner Dalia Margolis. Both are secretly the ring leaders of an international spy ring named IAGO, which plans to expose the identities of several deep cover operatives working for MI6. Infiltrating an exclusive fashion show in Novikov's mansion, 47 manages to assassinate both targets and flees unnoticed. Sometime before his own assassination, Novikov exchanged a file containing all of IAGO's collected secrets to an unknown individual as payment for silencing an investigation against him. The individual then sends a text message to another unknown party while sarcastically wishing Novikov luck on the upcoming fashion show, stating "it will be the one you will be remembered for."

Development

Hitman was originally to be developed by Square Enix developer Square Enix Montreal, a newly established studio.[12] Due to cutbacks and layoffs at IO Interactive, other projects were not followed through, and they shifted their attention to a new Hitman game,[13][14][15] and Square Enix Montreal turned their focus on developing smartphone and tablet versions of Hitman and other games.[16][17][18]

On 16 January 2014, an open letter was filed by IO Interactive, sharing some news details on the next game. It stated the intention to make the next version less linear, with more open-ended maps.[19] On 28 June 2015, the first concept art of the game was released.[20] On 18 March 2015, Square Enix trademarked "World of Assassination", which was later revealed to be a promotion slogan for Hitman.[21]

On 15 June 2015, a full reveal of the game took place at Sony's E3 2015 press conference.[22] A gameplay trailer of the game was released during Square Enix's press conference on 16 June 2015.[23] Also on 16 June 2015, David Bateson confirmed that he would reprise his role as Agent 47.[24]

The Hitman beta, featuring the prologue of the game set in a secret recruitment and training facility, was launched on February 2016, with the PlayStation 4 version released a week earlier than the PC. It was available for a limited period to players who preordered either version of the game from selected retail or digital outlets. It was later announced that all PlayStation Plus members would have free access to to the beta on March 4.[25]

Release

Hitman was originally set to be released on 8 December 2015 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but was later delayed to 11 March 2016 so as to allow additional development time for IO Interactive to include more content into the base game.[26] The PlayStation 4 version of the game features six exclusive missions known as The Sarajevo Six. Players who have pre-ordered the game can gain access to the game's beta. The beta released for PlayStation on 12 February 2016 and Microsoft Windows on 19 February 2016.[1][27] No "season pass" was available at launch, as the company considered the addition of paid-content a "wrong approach".[28]

Originally, the game was to be released in an "intro pack" that included all the base content, including Paris, Sapienza and Marrakesh locations, six story missions, three sandboxes, forty "signature kills", a contracts mode with 800 different targets, and regular events held by the developer. New missions and locations set in Thailand, the United States, and Japan were to be released after the game's launch, and a full-priced version was to be released following the release of this post-release content.[29] No downloadable content was to be released for the game and no microtransactions were to be offered, and new missions, locations and targets were to be added to the game regularly as free updates after the game's release.[30][31]

On 14 January 2016, it was announced that Hitman would instead be released in an episodic manner; on-launch, the game would consist of the prologue and Paris missions. New content will be released on a monthly basis, including the remaining two cities of the main game (Sapienza and Marrakesh) in April and May 2016 respectively, followed by the previously planned Thailand, U.S. and Japan expansions by the end of the "season" in late 2016, as well as weekly events and additional planned content between the monthly updates. These expansions will be available at no cost to those who purchase a full-priced digital copy of the game, but those who purchase the "Intro Pack" must purchase them. A full, disc-based release of Hitman will be released in January 2017.[32] IO Interactive head Hannes Seifert explained that the move was designed to provide the team time to develop the game's levels, and to allow them to "create a living game that will expand and evolve over time and establish a foundation for the future — this is the first game in a storyline which will continue and expand with future Hitman games."[33]

Reception

The first episode of Hitman was released on 11 March 2016, to mostly positive reviews. Arthur Gies of Polygon awarded the first offering at a 7.5, praising it as a "promising start to the game" but felt it was more unfinished than episodic.[34] PCGamer expressed a similar sentiment that, "Hitman feels unrefined and unfinished in lots of small but important ways."[35]

References

  1. ^ a b c Nunneley, Stephany (5 December 2015). "Here's a few details about the Hitman beta coming in February". VG247. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  2. ^ Nunneley, Stephany (15 June 2015). "E3 2015: Hitman invites players to step into a live world of assassination". VG247. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  3. ^ S. Good, Owen (16 June 2015). "The new Hitman begins Dec. 8 with a digital release". Polygon. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  4. ^ Reeves, Ben (20 June 2015). "Forget Assassin's Creed Hitman Is The Real Assassin Of E3 2015". Game Informer. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  5. ^ Hussain, Tamoor (18 June 2015). "Hitman Is Low-Calorie Stealth No Longer". GameSpot. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  6. ^ Reed, Ashley (15 June 2015). "Agent 47 is back in action in the next Hitman". GamesRadar. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  7. ^ "IO Interactive demos Hitman at PC Gamer Weekender". Very Biased Reviews. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  8. ^ Savage, Phil (18 June 2015). "Hitman's additional missions will be free". PC Gamer. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  9. ^ Scammell, David (18 June 2015). "E3 2015: Hitman is the Blood Money sequel we've been waiting for". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  10. ^ a b Hamilton, Kirk (20 June 2015). "The New Hitman's Creative Director Is Saying All The Right Things". Kotaku. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  11. ^ Pitcher, Jenna (16 June 2015). "E3 2015: Hitman Release Date Announced". IGN. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  12. ^ Lund, Karsten (25 October 2012). "The Future Hitman Game, on a Post-it: Square Enix Montréal". Gamasutra. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  13. ^ Nath, Debabrata (17 June 2013). "Hitman studio face lay-offs, nearly half of the staff lose jobs". VG247. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  14. ^ Cowan, Danny (17 June 2013). "Report: IO Interactive cancels projects, loses half of staff to layoffs". Joystiq. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  15. ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (17 June 2013). "IO Interactive cancels everything that isn't Hitman, including Kane & Lynch". Eurogamer. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  16. ^ Usher, Anthony (21 June 2013). "Square Enix Montréal working on smartphone and tablet versions of Hitman and 'other brands'". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  17. ^ Cocke, Taylor (21 June 2013). "Square Enix Leadership Changes, Focus Shifts From AAA to Mobile". IGN. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  18. ^ Sheridan, Connor (21 June 2013). "Square Enix Montreal working on Hitman tablet games". GamesRadar. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  19. ^ "An open letter to all Hitman fans". IO Interactive. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  20. ^ Devore, Jordan (28 June 2015). "First concept art for IO Interactive's new Hitman". Destructoid. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  21. ^ Nunneley, Stephany (18 March 2015). "World of Assassination and Unravel trademarks from Square and EA outed". VG247. Retrieved June 2015. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  22. ^ Martin, Liam (15 June 2015). "New Hitman game announced during Sony's E3 conference". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  23. ^ Skipper, Ben (16 June 2015). "E3 2015: Hitman's series-changing gameplay explained at Square Enix press conference". International Business Times. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  24. ^ "David Bateson status". yo Mario - yes I am! I'm just relieved to be able to say it out loud. Can't wait
  25. ^ "Hitman Beta For PlayStation Plus Members Launches March 4". Ubergizmo. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  26. ^ Scammell, David (23 September 2015). "Hitman delayed to March 2016". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  27. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (16 June 2015). "New Hitman has PlayStation 4-exclusive beta for those who pre-order". Eurogamer. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  28. ^ Crawley, Dan (18 June 2015). "Hitman won't have a season pass: 'We think it's wrong'". VentureBeat. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  29. ^ Hussain, Tamoor (29 September 2015). "Hitman's New Release Date is March 11, Here's What Will Be Included at Launch". GameSpot. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  30. ^ Volpe, Joseph (16 June 2015). "The new 'Hitman' will be an 'ever-expanding world of assassination'". Engadget. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  31. ^ Savage, Phil (16 June 2015). "Hitman release date announced". PC Gamer. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  32. ^ Scammell, David (10 March 2016). "Hitman disc release delayed to 2017". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  33. ^ "Hitman changes release structure again, now 'fully episodic'". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  34. ^ "Hitman review". Polygon. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  35. ^ "Hitman: Intro Pack review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 20 March 2016.

External links

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