There is a lot to like about Hitman 2: Silent Assassin. The stealth elements, for example, are implemented extremely well. And then there's the challenge of executing one's target, heightened by obstacles such as guards, the ever-reliable "suspicion meter" (you just gotta be careful in certain areas) and the art of disguise. One aspect of the game that stands out immediately after the first loading screen passes, however, is the music by Jesper Kyd and the performance of the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and Choir.

The Main Title utilizes the Budapest choir to great effect, perhaps alluding to the origins of Mr. 47 in Romania (well, Budapest was occupied by Romania at one time). Combine that with a very prominent horns section and you have one truly epic theme. The Setup is a more quiet background composition used during various missions and action sequences. The music effectively provides "the setup" while managing to propel the player forward. Similarly, 47 in St. Petersburg plays during a mission sequence and appropriately reflects the cultural surroundings of the scene. The track plays out in militaristic fashion until reaching a crescendo at one point which lends to a sort of grandeur that almost sends shivers down the spine.

While the music works better within context of the game, it's certainly nothing to complain about as a listening experience on its own. Jesper Kyd simply shows off a great talent with these compositions and I was surprised by many of the motifs that popped up. Take the Main Title, for instance, which took me aback because I was expecting something more Techno-like or synth-based. There are elements of that found throughout the score, but much more of it relies on the talents of the orchestra and choir. And that's why the soundtrack for Hitman 2 has safely earned a spot amongst my favorite game soundtracks of all-time.

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