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Platform: PC |
Developer: I-O Interactive |
Publisher: Eidos Interactive |
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Genre: Action |
ETA: Spring 2002 |
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Hitman 2: Silent Assassin I was anxiously awaiting the announcement of a sequel to one of my all time favorites from the new school of recent game releases, and when I first heard of Silent Assassins' development; oh, how I wept with joy. Okay, maybe that’s a poetic exaggeration, but I did yell out ‘SWEEEET!’ when I read the announcement. As most PC gamers will know, Hitman: Codename 47 was released to about an even mix of criticism and praise. Those who loved it, revered it, and those who didn’t like it, threw it into the unmemorable, indifferent category. I fell into the former category of people and I must have assassinated Lee Hong at least a hundred times, trying the mission with every variation possible. Even though I am a huge fan of the original, I can understand the frustration of some critics towards the controls, and some of the elements of the gameplay and of the style. I was able to overlook some of the game’s faults and enjoy stepping into the shoes of a professional killer. Hopefully, this time around, no one will have to overlook any faults in the game as I-O is working to overcome the main problems that the critics hated about the original. The game is set after the ending of the original, as the Hitman has moved to a monastery in Sicily where he is trying to come to grips with who he is and what his purpose in life is. The soul-searching doesn’t last long as 47 is tricked into coming out of retirement. The plot promises to be more engaging this time around with a more solid story than in the first installment. Hopefully this will appease the critics who thought the first plotline was too unoriginal and bland (ahem *Tazman* cough). Some of the most common complaints about the first Hitman had to do with the control scheme, and the camera perspective. I-O has listened to the fans criticisms and have included a fully first person perspective as well as the original over the shoulder third person camera for those of us who enjoy the cinematic view of an elegant hit. Another problem that has been fixed is the saving and mission reloading method. No more dying and respawning in a hot spot with 10 guards who have just killed you, swarming around. Players will have a limited number save feature, that can be used at any point during the missions. As before 47 will have a limited number of weapons that he can take on each mission. Pre-mission shopping will be a bit different also, as weapons bought in previous missions will remain in 47’s possession, allowing him to continue using them. Weapons this time have been more focused on silent assassin types. Among them, players will be able to choose from blow darts, knives, a greater variety of sniper rifles, poisons and other weapons found during the missions. The choices of sniper rifles will be in silenced or unsilenced and will vary in power, types of scopes, and range. The player will also be able to use non-lethal weapons such as chloroform, stun guns and blunt weapons. One confirmed new high caliber weapon is a .50 caliber Beretta. Besides the weapons, what’s a new game without new gadgets and Hitman is no exception to this rule. For some of the levels, special gear will be available such as lockpicks, laser sights and nightvision goggles. Explosives will also be more available through grenades and other bombs. Players will also be able to test new gear in training facilities which will be available between missions. The focus of the game this time has been re-evaluated and the designers have taken out all of the run ‘n’ gun type missions. A new rating system has been implemented to evaluate a player’s elegance in performing a hit. Things such as number of bullets fired, number of corpses besides the mark killed, target accuracy, and choice of weapons, will all be considered. A better rating will unlock new weapons and more information. Towards the focus of more stealthy gameplay, an attention meter has also been added to the player’s HUD. Lingering around guards in the appropriate uniform will only last so long before they begin to notice that your face is unfamiliar. This level of a guard’s attention will be reflected in a meter that let’s the player know when to make a quick exit. The game will also be lengthened a bit as there will be about twenty missions spanning six chapters which will send the hitman to locations such as St. Petersburg, Malaysia, Sicily, Japan, India, and Afghanistan. Technologically, the game will be using an upgraded version of I-O’s own glacier engine which powered the first game. The modified engine will allow for an up to five time higher polygon count, real time lighting, hardware T&L support, and will take advantage of the capabilities of the Geforce 3 chipset. Also, environments will be destructible to an extent given the type of material and the bullet that is being used. For instance a bullet from a berretta may not be able to pass through a given wooden door, but a bullet from a sniper rifle will be able to, but will not be able to pass through a metal wall. With all these small improvements, the lengthening of the game, and the graphical facelift, Hitman 2 should win over those who thought the first Hitman was close to being great while actually being below average. For those of us who used the piano wire to kill Lee Hong, rejoice; gaming bliss is near. - Mark Leung
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