Hitman 2 has seen plenty of competition in its release window, going up against juggernauts such as Fallout 76, Battlefield V and not to mention Red Dead Redemption 2. That is why I feel it is essential to let you know that, if you’ve never played the previous game, now is the right time to give it a go.
Hitman 2 is the most inclusive game in the whole series, with IO Interactive bucking the trend on the franchise’s traditional difficult learning curve by including a casual difficulty. Casual difficulty is aimed towards new players, allowing them to get a feel for the gameplay and layout of the map, allowing unlimited saves, removing security cameras that can record 47’s nasty deeds, and overall reducing all threats around the map. But if you’re a fan of the series, and know what you are doing, there is plenty you can do to increase the game’s difficulty.
The game has two additional difficulty modes, those being Professional and Master. Professional mode is for those who have played Hitman before, and have an understanding of the game’s mechanics, while allowing unlimited saves and guidance from handler Diana Burnwood. Master difficulty challenges even the most veteran players, by restricting the player to one save file, adding extra security placements and giving the AI a more acute sense of their surroundings (Assuming no glitches in the AI occur, which is not an uncommon occurrence at the time of writing.). It is clear from the addition of these difficulties, Hitman 2 is looking to attract a more mainstream audience, especially due to the fact that the game’s 6 new locations are released day one, ditching the episodic format of the first season.
A feature that remains mostly unchanged for the previous entry is the level design. The levels have a similar design, favouring the openness of the franchise’s older game over the structured, closed design as seen in Hitman: Absolution. The player is free to approach the assassinations in any way they feel, and can experiment to figure out the most efficient way to take out their targets, be it going guns blazing on an unsuspecting individual, or to play the long game and play dress up to get close and personal, or professional, you are a hitman after all.
Putting your plans into action is one of the most satisfying experiences in the Hitman series, and is no different in this installment, and the game makes sure to give you plenty of ways to do this. IO Interactive ensures to expand on the weapons available to 47, including flash grenades, concussive grenades and the dart gun, which can be unlocked throughout the game by levelling up your mastery level. These two factors are the driving force towards the game’s insane rate of replayability. You are constantly striving to make new discoveries in levels, and working towards your next level up to unlock the next sweet gadget you can use to complete your assignment cleanly.
Speaking of assignments, the game allows those who purchased Hitman Season 1 to play all six maps (Paris, Sapienza, Marrakesh, Bangkok, Colorado and Hokkaido) alongside the various improvements Hitman 2 has to offer free of charge through the Legacy Pack. For those who don’t own Season 1, the pack is available for purchase for $20. Hitman 2 does lack some features from Hitman Season 1 however, mostly in the PC settings department. The lack of DirectX 12 and the inability to disable or change the type of Anti-Aliasing are sorely lacking in Hitman 2, but will likely be added at a later date. The lack of animated cutscenes is also quite jarring when compared to the high-quality scenes from the original, although the story is not much of a focus in the reboot anyhow.
Hitman 2 Sniper Assassin has also been released, being accessible to all players. The mode is a fun addition, being based on the mobile game Hitman: Sniper. Contracts also makes a welcome return, allowing you to choose their targets, and challenging others to mirror your assassination.
Share this article:
David Little
David, born and living in Dublin, Ireland, works as a volunteer PC Game article writer at The Zombie Chimp, as a PC game journalist. David plays all genres of games, but has a particular liking for open world, and a guilty pleasure for zombie games. Other favourable franchises include: Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid, Grand Theft Auto and Hitman.
