Hitman: Absolution Preview

Marky Mark skills.

After a six-year hiatus, IO Interactive has been working diligently on the next episode of the Hitman series. We have all been waiting to hear word on when our favorite bald assassin would be taking out corrupt politicians and perverted rich heirs again. Well, the wait is over, sort of… After getting a hands-off demo showing of the new Hitman, I currently can say it has been worth the wait.

Most of the in-depth details are still under lock and key and seem like won’t be revealed until the 13th hour, but we should expect the best Hitman yet. With a whole new engine, Glacier 2, gameplay is looking to have the same original style with some fresh flavor for the new school. Long-time lovers of the series will enjoy all of the classic Agent 47 tactics, such as taking on disguises and “accidently” killing enemies.



A few new features have been added as well, such as “Instinct”. Producers wanted to show how intuitive 47 is, how he can sense when an enemy is lurking around the corner and where his foe might be headed. “Point-shooting” is another main feature. Think Red Dead Redemption. If you haven’t played that, then think how 47 is so amazing he can slow down time, aim at ten people in a room, and take them all out before one can even scratch his or her nose.

As for other changes, some personal favorites of mine are the addition of armor rating and plain-sight hiding. It brings a touch of realism to it all. Past editions would allow Agent 47 to hide in disguises that no one would even question his get-up. If 47 is dressed up as a cop, doctors and security guards still might not notice him., but other cops will become suspicious and want a closer look. This is when plain-sight hiding takes effect. How do you look like a cop? Well, you have to act like a cop: 47 will talk in his radio, eat a donut, or do whatever he must to play the part of his disguise.



Hitman: Absolution is looking to set itself apart from past Hitman games. With Agent 47 on a personal journey, the story will focus on 47’s struggle for vendetta. The quest for absolution may end disastrously for old baldy... or everything might be sunshine and tequila shots. But whatever the outcome, we’re sure to been thrown down the rabbit hole before it’s all said and done.

Be on the lookout for when IO Interactive drops this fifth installment of the series sometime in 2012.