What the game is about is obvious, you're a hired goon going around bumping off targets in a covert manner for a top government contracting agency. Things go a bit dodgy when other goons start muscling in on you due to the events surrounding your hit-man's incarnation. So, with this in mind you get the idea that you're doing this stuff whilst being targeted yourself. Clever.
Besides the plot, which is okay and logical enough, the general gameplay is astounding. Sure it's violent, but it's called a hit-man, as said, some goon killing people, it's bound to be, that's why it's got an 18 certificate. If you're into a bit of pixelated violence then you're in for a treat.
And to be honest, as some over-exaggerate, it's not overtly violent at all, you get used to it after a while. But it's never mundane, from crushing skulls with claw hammers and other random tools you find lying around, to merely wandering around shooting people, even drugging people can have numerous applications that connect it with fun, which is endless. If you want carefree murderous fun, and to control an avatar with a barcode on the back of his head, then Hit-man's Agent 47 will not disappoint.
It's not just an exercise of puerile murder sprees though, although it can be amusing. Each level has the advantage of endless replayability. Depending on how stealthy and clever you are, you'll get a rating, ranging from Mad Butcher to Silent Assassin. If you want to get the top reward, then you need to plan your mission, utilise the environment to provoke accidental deaths that you won't be blamed for, which are hilarious. From pianos falling on heads to sabotaged cooking appliances. (P.S. If you want a special rating, do go around missions with hand-held tools butchering everyone. You'll get a namesake worth cherishing - 'Evil Eye Gouger' being one such thing that made me laugh, for a bit. And made me feel proud - it's loads of fun, but not easy. You'll see when you attack gun-wielding pigs with nothing but a shovel).
Furthermore the notoriety feature is also something to care about, if you leave mayhem and a gaggle of witnesses you're going to be suspected on the next assignment, unless you bribe people, which you may not have the money for. If you want a way around this, I suggest killing everyone if you think you've screwed the mission up, no one alive, no witnesses. Seriously, you can go berserk on this game, and that never gets boring.
The general graphics are pretty good. The worlds you stalk are large, full of unique opportunities for 47 to take advantage of, and extremely varied, from massive casinos to boats.
There are a few problems though. Glitches mainly: 1) It crashes. I tried killing with a spade and a fire extinguisher and a knife on differing occasions. And it seemed that if I did too much of this I would find the game crash as I tried to hit someone, after which many people had been killed. 2) People don't always die! Shooting some people in the head may cause said bloke to freeze and meh, he won't die. Even if you try blowing him up. Hence, he'll be a witness and you're buggered if you want a top rating. 3) Sometimes people will appear in floors, and in walls and the place will look like some diabolical Andy Warhol thing. It can be very annoying.
4) I would have liked more levels to get my teeth into, but that doesn't matter really.
Overall these flaws won't bother you. You can happily reboot and get on with it again if it crashes. The numerous ways of completing a silent hit, and the four different difficulty levels mean you can attempt it in various modes, and in various ways. Making the 'serious' game play rewarding, mature and something that won't become boring very quickly.
And, if you fancy stalking corridors for the laugh, if you're bored perhaps, then that's cool too. To just ferry your man from place to place 'doing in' all who stand in your way is an utter joy, and along with some of the in-game quirks and jokes (Such as Clown Antics to Love-Starved old ladies) you'll be surprised at the heart this game seems to have, it's nice that it isn't just a relenting murder saga.
All of this put together ensures that you will never be short of a good time at the control of the greatest professional killer the world has ever seen. Highly recommended save game glitches.
8/10
Besides the plot, which is okay and logical enough, the general gameplay is astounding. Sure it's violent, but it's called a hit-man, as said, some goon killing people, it's bound to be, that's why it's got an 18 certificate. If you're into a bit of pixelated violence then you're in for a treat.
And to be honest, as some over-exaggerate, it's not overtly violent at all, you get used to it after a while. But it's never mundane, from crushing skulls with claw hammers and other random tools you find lying around, to merely wandering around shooting people, even drugging people can have numerous applications that connect it with fun, which is endless. If you want carefree murderous fun, and to control an avatar with a barcode on the back of his head, then Hit-man's Agent 47 will not disappoint.
It's not just an exercise of puerile murder sprees though, although it can be amusing. Each level has the advantage of endless replayability. Depending on how stealthy and clever you are, you'll get a rating, ranging from Mad Butcher to Silent Assassin. If you want to get the top reward, then you need to plan your mission, utilise the environment to provoke accidental deaths that you won't be blamed for, which are hilarious. From pianos falling on heads to sabotaged cooking appliances. (P.S. If you want a special rating, do go around missions with hand-held tools butchering everyone. You'll get a namesake worth cherishing - 'Evil Eye Gouger' being one such thing that made me laugh, for a bit. And made me feel proud - it's loads of fun, but not easy. You'll see when you attack gun-wielding pigs with nothing but a shovel).
Furthermore the notoriety feature is also something to care about, if you leave mayhem and a gaggle of witnesses you're going to be suspected on the next assignment, unless you bribe people, which you may not have the money for. If you want a way around this, I suggest killing everyone if you think you've screwed the mission up, no one alive, no witnesses. Seriously, you can go berserk on this game, and that never gets boring.
The general graphics are pretty good. The worlds you stalk are large, full of unique opportunities for 47 to take advantage of, and extremely varied, from massive casinos to boats.
There are a few problems though. Glitches mainly: 1) It crashes. I tried killing with a spade and a fire extinguisher and a knife on differing occasions. And it seemed that if I did too much of this I would find the game crash as I tried to hit someone, after which many people had been killed. 2) People don't always die! Shooting some people in the head may cause said bloke to freeze and meh, he won't die. Even if you try blowing him up. Hence, he'll be a witness and you're buggered if you want a top rating. 3) Sometimes people will appear in floors, and in walls and the place will look like some diabolical Andy Warhol thing. It can be very annoying.
4) I would have liked more levels to get my teeth into, but that doesn't matter really.
Overall these flaws won't bother you. You can happily reboot and get on with it again if it crashes. The numerous ways of completing a silent hit, and the four different difficulty levels mean you can attempt it in various modes, and in various ways. Making the 'serious' game play rewarding, mature and something that won't become boring very quickly.
And, if you fancy stalking corridors for the laugh, if you're bored perhaps, then that's cool too. To just ferry your man from place to place 'doing in' all who stand in your way is an utter joy, and along with some of the in-game quirks and jokes (Such as Clown Antics to Love-Starved old ladies) you'll be surprised at the heart this game seems to have, it's nice that it isn't just a relenting murder saga.
All of this put together ensures that you will never be short of a good time at the control of the greatest professional killer the world has ever seen. Highly recommended save game glitches.
8/10