Steam
The third installment in a popular stealth action game series, in which you play as the mysterious assassin known as Agent 47. Story-wise, Hitman: Contracts is made up of a series of flashback missions, beginning in a Parisian hotel, where the protagonist gets into after having been shot in the stomach during one of his missions. Heavily wounded, the protagonist is plagued by visions of his past contracts.
The third installment in a popular action game series, in which you assume the role of a paid assassin, Agent 47. Just like the first two games, this one too was developed by Io Interactive. However, this installment is much darker and more brutal than its two predecessors. This was achieved by some audiovisual tricks as well as the story itself, which would fit a full-blooded crime movie.
Story
The game catches the player’s attention from the very beginning. We meet the protagonist in a Parisian hotel, where he retreates with a gunshot wound. Exhausted, burning with fever, and under the influence of painkillers he took, Agent 47 lies unconscious plagued by hallucinations and visions of the past.
Gameplay
The game consists of 12 large missions of which construction is no different from the first two Hitman games; meaning there are always several objectives and multiple ways to reach them. The quests are scattered all over the world in a variety of locations, including Romania, Hong Kong, Siberia, Great Britain or France. The arsenal of weapons and tools of murder that you can use is now over 30, including firearms and various melee weapons (such as billiard cue, swords, butcher’s hooks, and the fiber wire). Agent 47 now knows several new attacks, including Splinter Cell-inspired sneak kills. Naturally, developers took care to implement more advanced AI, so that players hungry for challenge could strain their skills from the very beginning. Opponents react to every strange sound or even the briefest sight of your hero.
Technical aspect
Hitman: Contracts uses new 3D graphics engine, featuring such effects as motion blur and light bloom, which help to deepen the game’s dark atmosphere.
Last updated on March 14, 2016
Videos and Screens
The main pros of the game
- Improved Gameplay Mechanics: Many users noted that the game has improved movement speed and mechanics compared to its predecessor, *Hitman: Silent Assassin*. The gameplay feels more fluid, and players appreciate the ability to run without immediately raising alarms.
- Engaging Levels: Most levels are described as fun and engaging, particularly the final level, which received specific praise.
- Stealth Mechanics: The game encourages stealth gameplay, allowing players to use disguises and environmental tactics to eliminate targets. This aligns well with the core identity of the *Hitman* series.
- Soundtrack: Jesper Kyd's soundtrack is frequently highlighted as a strong point, enhancing the game's atmosphere.
- Nostalgia Factor: Long-time fans of the series appreciate the return to familiar missions and themes, making it a nostalgic experience for many.
The main cons of the game
- Technical Issues: Numerous users reported bugs and glitches, with some stating that the game does not function properly on modern systems or locks up during gameplay. Compatibility issues, especially on newer operating systems, were a common complaint.
- Clunky Controls: Some players found the controls to be clunky and less responsive compared to other stealth games, which detracted from the overall experience.
- Shorter Gameplay: Several reviews mentioned that the game feels shorter than its predecessor, with fewer missions available.
- Inconsistent AI: The artificial intelligence of enemies was criticized for being inconsistent, which affected the challenge level of the game.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Lack of Innovation: Some users felt that the game did not introduce enough new elements or innovations compared to previous titles, particularly in terms of mission variety and narrative depth.
- More Detailed Guidance: A few players expressed a desire for better in-game guidance regarding mission objectives and mechanics, feeling that the game was too vague in some areas.
- Limited Mission Count: The game features fewer missions than earlier entries in the series, which some players found disappointing.
- Enhanced Graphics and Modern Features: Given its age, the game's graphics and technical aspects were seen as outdated, with some users wishing for a more polished visual experience and modern gameplay features.
Summary
- Overall, Hitman: Contracts is viewed positively by fans of the series for its gameplay and nostalgic elements, but it suffers from technical issues and a lack of innovation compared to newer titles.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 3056 votes.
18
GAMES
in Hitman Game Series
Game Series
Hitman Series
A highly popular series combining elements of action and stealth games, featuring the missions of a paid assassin - Agent 47. The series was created by Danish development studio IO Interactive.
18 video games
Hitman: Contracts Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows April 21, 2004
PlayStation 2 April 20, 2004
Xbox April 20, 2004
Developer: IO Interactive
Publisher: Square Enix
Hitman: Contracts System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: CPU AMD/Intel 1,6GHz, 256MB RAM, 64MB graphic card (DirectX 8), 2GB HDD