I realize this thread is probably done a bunch of times, but I’m new here and wouldn’t mind discussing the games in detail.
I started off with Blood Money and loved it. Couple years later, I revisited it and then decided to play Contracts and Silent Assassin in that order. I also watched C47 on Youtube.
It’s tough for me to decide a favorite between Silent Assassin and Blood Money.
On one hand, Blood Money is my first and looking back, I really appreciate what it added to the series and how intricate the level design was for the most part. I know some people aren’t too fond of how disguises worked in that game, and I can definitely see why. Although I do think the way the game is designed, it emphasized making sure not to get caught doing something you weren’t supposed to be doing rather than getting seen in general, which does make it stand out among other games like it at the time. The other Hitman games did this too, but not to the same degree.
Could the AI be a bit more suspicious? I guess that depends on how I’m feeling at the moment.
Also, some mechanics could have been fine tuned more and be less exploitable. (Coins, throwing briefcases with bombs in them, ect.) But I’m willing to look past these as I feel the devs didn’t intend for you to do those sort of things.Although other mechanics, such as being penalized for not picking up your suit, not picking up your weapons, leaving witnesses or killing civilians really added to the feel of the game.
Silent Assassin I feel has a more involving story that really humanized 47. Him attempting to leave his old life behind only to be dragged back into it is honestly a really great hook. And I loved how he kept going back to tend to the Church in between missions. The final chapter is also really well done and the ending very sobering.
By comparison to Blood Money, the level design and mission structure is a bit more simple. Which isn’t a bad thing I feel. Sometimes less is more, and having more focused level design could really benefit a game. Most of the levels in this game, despite not having as many options, I still feel are really solidly designed.
The AI can be a bit annoying to deal with, but I can definitely see and appreciate what the devs were going for. Realistically, a mafia gang would be really familiar with each other and immediately suspect when someone is disguising as one of them. Especially considering the mob boss knew about 47 and ransomed Padre. And realistically, if you’re seen running, guards will assume you did something and gun you down for it.
Although I feel the AI seems to be a bit inconsistent at times regarding this leading to some trial-and-error. Hidden Valley and At the Gates will have guards run over to check your ID, but Shogun Showdown has them ignoring you unless you stick around too long. Plus, from what I’ve seen, you can run past them just fine. Again, I can see where they were going with this. Different areas have somewhat different rules. So, it’s not that big of a deal.
Contracts for me probably has some of my favorite tracks in the series and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. However, what kinda brings it down for me overall is the lack of a proper mission briefing screen and the ability to choose your load out before every mission. (Besides being able to after beating the game) I know, kind of petty, but that stuff really added to the experience of being a professional killer. I get that 47 was sort of in a delirious state and remembering all these missions throughout the game, but still. Also, the final level had a really cool premise, but was ultimately brought down a bit once I found that the civilians outside the police blockade actually don’t do anything to alert the cops when 47 is strangling one of them to death from behind. Why even have them there to begin with then?
I only watched C47, and yes, it is pretty damn rough, but I really appreciate what the game set out to do and the music is probably among my favorites in the series. Jesper Kyd really knows his stuff.
So yeah, those are my thoughts. How about you guys?
Oh yeah, unpopular opinion, but Death on the Mississippi was a great level. Never really got the hate for it. ![:stuck_out_tongue: :stuck_out_tongue:]()