Hitman Absolution Preview

“We want our Hitman back… and we want him back now!” cries the worried fan, terrified that their precious series has been ruined in the name of appealing to the casual audience.

If we play devil’s advocate for a moment, we understand such a person’s concern. After six years away from the spotlight, those who have supported the franchise more than any other want a true Xbox 360 experience that’s worthy of the Hitman name.

They want stealth; they want silence; most importantly, they don’t want any significant changes that steer the good ship Agent 47 away from the art of the sneak. Given how skilled IO has become at this, if nothing else it would be a huge waste of its talents.

Thankfully, you can now calm your tormented soul as we tell you this is the experience your heart desires. Absolution is very much a Hitman game. Should you choose to play through it aiming for nothing but the ‘Silent Assassin’ Achievement, that is your right, and no one is happier for you than IO itself.

It’s how the developer is pushing its original concept where events become far more interesting. Much has been made of the Glacier 2 engine, already proving its worth in the controversial footage that was released this year.

Far from just being a way to boast about Hitman’s new visual sheen, though, it exists to eradicate previous problems that ran rife through the series and push it into new, necessary territory. Dynamic sound and AI may be the sort of phrases churned out by the PR machine, but IO is using them to directly influence its gameplay.

Hitman Absolution exists in a richer, darker world.

Whether it’s the soundtrack changing depending on your actions or a roomful of adversaries now actually responding to you and the environment, the sheer depth and number of ways to approach Hitman is considerably larger.

Not only does this mean those who follow the art of the execution have even more ways to succeed, but individuals who prefer reacting to a situation on the fly are far better catered for. While a part of this is within its guns – calm down – it stands to reason that Agent 47, as a veteran killer, would be adept at handling them.

This evolves further with Point Shooting, a derivative of Splinter Cell Conviction’s Mark & Execute. Unlocked when you fill your Instinct gauge, this is by no means a ‘win’ button.

Instead, to get to a point where it’s an option requires some serious stealth skill, and even then you don’t have to rely on such a feature; you’ll also be bestowed with the power to divert a certain guard’s attention or see where their footsteps will take them next.

Admittedly such moves could be seen as a little ‘gamey’, but it’s not completely out of the realms of possibility in terms of Agent 47 thinking ahead of the curve.

More importantly, it’s never mandatory. It’s all in aid of attempting to make Absolution the game its loyal followers have been waiting for but also treating newcomers with a level of respect in letting them decide how they want to drive forward.

Bodacious gun bro!

It may take a slight hit in terms of realism, but we doubt anyone wants a guard chasing them down for hours on end as they’re forced to do hide in a vent, waiting for the all-clear. Yes, you’ll spark suspicion if you’re seen, but this doesn’t result in total failure.

There is always a chance of redemption. There’s little doubt that Hitman: Absolution takes the base concepts and pushes them further than it ever has done in the past. For our money, everything is currently serving the idea, advancing it with more vigour and understanding.

While that does mean that stealth isn’t the only way, it doesn’t mean it’s completely off the table either – people would be well served to remember that player freedom was always a part of Hitman’s code.

In updating arguably one of the biggest franchises yet to properly make its mark on the Xbox 360, IO could ensure that it not only makes a major dent, but is one of the last hurrahs before Microsoft’s second console is sent off into the sunset.