Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
Developed by Eidos Interactive
and released in the Fall of 2002, Hitman 2 (H2 for short) is the sequel to
the 2000 PC release "Hitman: Codename 47". To say
this game gets around is an understatement. Encompassing six
different exotic locales from around the world, including Italy, Malaysia,
and India...Agent 47 definitely has his work cut out for him.
With expansive mission levels, outstanding character AI (Artificial
Intelligence), and breath-taking graphical detail, it seems as though H2
and the Xbox were made for each other.
Forced out of retirement when his close friend is taken captive by the
local Italian Mafia, Agent 47 is once again out to find and kill the bad
guys. Working for the "Agency" again, H2 uses a laptop
computer to communicate with the "Agency" assigning him
missions. All his information pertaining to the mission is stored on
his laptop and it also serves as a pre-mission prep area.
Included are his mission briefing with a detailed list of objectives for
the mission ahead; a satellite map to view the target area; target
information which gives information regarding the target and their
appearance; surveillance footage of key information needed to help meet
your objectives; and a missions list of previously completed missions
(where you can also select from a list of missions to play again).
Starting off in Malaysia at the Italian Mafia's headquarters, Agent 47
quickly finds himself globetrotting from one exotic locale to another in
order to meet the objectives of the game and rescue his friend. The
best part is there is no "one way" to carry out the game and
complete your objectives. You're free to carry out your mission any
way you choose and there are numerous ways to complete a mission and reach
your target. So, in other words...if your plan isn't working the way
you're doing it, you're free to try a new approach and see if that works
instead.
Collecting weapons is a major point of the game and with such diverse
weaponry such as knives, sub-machine guns, sniper rifles, strangle wire,
and even golf clubs...playing Agent 47 is a real treat! Not only
that, you can bring weapons back with you that were collected on previous
assignments as well, making the choice of weapons more than abundant!
One notable change is the intelligence of the AI (the enemy). They
have gotten smarter and more suspicious and you may soon find the
"disguise" you stole off one of the dead bodies isn't working
like you'd hoped. However, there are still ways to outwit your
opponents and make a quick getaway, you ARE Agent 47 after all! Use
the disguises as much as you need to or want to...these costume changes
help to throw off your pursuers and gain access to areas that were
otherwise inaccessible.
During the course of the game, you will be ranked according to how much covertness
and violence used, the accuracy of your shooting, and how many innocent
people you managed to slaughter along the way. So choose your
targets wisely as the more efficient you become, the higher your ranking
will be. You eventually want to BE "The Silent Assassin".
Overall, the mission levels are extremely diverse with huge areas to
explore, the graphics are amazing and particularly creative with life-like
effects, and the sound is rich with details such as birds chirping, winds
blowing, and audible heartbeats of those around you.
Much improved from the original PC game, H2 will certainly test your wits,
your stealthness and your ability to become "The Silent
Assassin" in more ways than one! By combining action, violence, and a
great storyline into one handy-dandy package, it certainly seems that
Hitman 2 is definitely a..."hit".
Overall Game Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Official
Xbox Website:
http://www.xbox.com
Where
to find XBox Cheats:
http://www.xboxcheats.com
