A realistic stealth game, played through the eyes of everyone's favourite assassin!
Let's start with the contracts. In this game you will be given some great contracts, most of which are incredibly fun. Every mission can be completed in multiple ways and it's up to you to discover these. Unlike the first game, every single contract can be completed without being detected and without killing anyone but the target/s. Although this is unbelievably hard, it is possible and has it's rewards.
After pulling off a contract, you will receive a rating depending on how 'clean' the job was done. Enter the mission with guns drawn, looking like you mean business will get you a low rating. Some people may find this more enjoyable but the 'Silent Assassin' rating is what you should really aim for. This is the highest rating and to achieve this, you must be extremely stealthy. This means, not triggering alarms, not killing anyone but the target/s, not taking too long and more.
Gameplay is one of the games strongest points. After all, stealth games are all about gameplay. The controls are perfect in my opinion compared to the original game. 47 will move around excellently and you will feel like you are in total control of him. The action side of the game couldn't be better. Firing a gun at someone is made easy with the game's gameplay engine. A new feature is the first-person mode. You can instantly switch between first and third person modes at any point during the game. Although first person may not be great while being stealthy, it will greatly improve your shooting accuracy when trying to place those head-shots.
The graphics can definitely not be complained about. They are better than most games of it's time and still are today. The maps contain impressive textures and lighting which help the atmospheres look as amazing as they are. The game has taken the brilliant rag doll physics from the first game and made them better. Enemies will realisticly fly around when shot without any horrible death animations.
The sound in this game is great as far as sound goes. Gunshots will sound realistic as well as the lovable sound of your target quietly and helplessly screeching as you wrap your fibre wire around their neck. The soundtrack is one of the best I have ever heard in a game. The Budapest Radio Symphony Orchestra did an amazing job in providing the game with some beautiful music.
It has a pretty good story which slowly turns out to be pretty interesting. Although the story is great, it seems to be the weakest point of the game. It doesn't really have a big affect on the game but that is probably because Edios spent a lot more time on the missions and gameplay.
The basic story is: The legendary Codename 47 has retired to Sicily where he resides at a church with a priest who is one of 47's few trustworthy friends. When this friend is kidnapped by some Italian mobsters, Hitman get's back in the Assassination business where he will perform contracts in Sicily, St Petersburg, Japan, Malaysia, Nuristan and India.
The story does turn out to be interesting but after you have been pulled into the first mission, you will probably forget the story as you discover how fun the game actually is. The contracts will require so much intelligence that you are almost forced into fully focusing on each contract. You will face realistic problems as you search for the most convenient infiltration route.
You will have to sneak past security which will involve stealing uniforms, disabling alarm systems and distracting enemies.
I recommend this game to all fans of action and stealth games! In fact I don't believe that there is anybody in the world who hasn't at some point wanted to be an assassin. Well this game is probably the closest you will come to becoming one (unless you are one)!