It's on Steam Weekend sale at the moment, all 4 Hitman games. I was wondering what the verdict is on this series, especially the latest one. Last I heard, early adopters (ie, MaceUK) had problems with game bugs.

Also, I wonder how it compares to Deus Ex. A quick look at some gameplay seems like they are similar... there is cover and there is some cool "moves" that the character can pull off... definitely not BF3 gameplay...

Thanks!

The problem I had with Absolution was the disguise system, whereby you had taken an enemies clothes including a mask and you walked past another enemy he knew who you were! They have since fixed it so they are not always looking at you 100% of the time and it is far better. For £5 I would say get Absolution. The other games are an acquired taste IMO and if you like hard games that need a lot of replaying and experimentation then you will like the past games.

Oh and nothing like DE, that was more of a shooter with stealthy bits in. Hitman is a bit more about planning and working out how you take down your target(s). You could just run through and kill everyone but that's nit really what the game's about.

The whole series is only £8.75, £3.76 more than just the one game, so I wonder if it's worth it picking that up as well. Having said that, I played the latest Deus Ex without bothering with the older games.....

If you don't mind dated graphics, then yes, I. would say its worth it. Agreed, nothing at all like dues ex. Didn't play the latest hitman due to a lot of negativity about it. Might do when it is on sale for less than $10.

I haven't finished the new one, due to getting sidetracked by MWO. Same with Tombraider. Both are really good games though.
I didn't care for the last Hitman game, but I didn't give it much of a chance. The old ones were very good, but there's too much of a generational gap to go back and enjoy them IMO.

I'd disagree with that, Blood Money still stands the test of time. It's probably the perfect combo of customizing weapons and open play.

Well, I can't really recommend Absolution, even though it's only $10 on Steam. I bought it and it won't load. All my drivers and such are updated. Posted on Steam forums and noticed numerous posts from folks having the same problems.

Note that I am out of town, so these results are using my AMD-powered laptop. Maybe the game plays nice with NVIDIA.

Got Absolution running on my desktop, but that ended up not being such a good thing. This game is a disappointment, big time. The level design for the most part is awful, and IO inexplicably jettisoned the formula that made Blood Money so great. While there are a handful of great standard assassination levels, most of Absolution has you on the run from tons of cops or security forces, and with very little equipment, and is a "snap from cover point to cover point" instead of "hide in plain site" approach. And the save game system is awful, and actively discourages experimentation. And the music, which I really enjoyed in the prior games (enough to buy the soundtracks) is more or less non-existent. I'm guessing the very talented composer Jesper Kyd wasn't hired to score Absolution. I wouldn't even recommend it at $10, which is what I paid for it. What a stinker. Which is a shame, since the graphics, the interface, and several other elements are excellent.

I'd probably agree, it's worth a play through for the eye candy and half-decent story, as well as some very nice set-pieces, but there is very little replay value, and the fundamental change (i.e. removal) of weapon customisation and the disguise mechanism just ruin enjoyment.

U-96 and others who own it- have you tried the Contracts mode? I might give that a try, as I am well sick of the story mission levels and need a break (I just escaped the police department building and, guess what, now have to evade an army of Agency soldiers. Yawn.).

If so, do you feel that Contracts provide some of the same enjoyment as prior Hitman games?

Hitman 1: Might be worth playing. Good ideas, but the execution is lacking. If you are on the fence regarding the series, skip the first one.
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin: Really good game, though it is quite challenging, in particular until you've figured out the game's quirks and unique features, and if you want to play the game in a "clean" way.
Hitman 3: Contracts: Weaker than Hitman 2, but still a strong entry in the series. A tad bit easier than previous Hitman games. This game is a bit odd, you get to live through Agent 47's previous hits, as he remembers them, which does mean that you kinda get to replay some levels from the first game (though they are quite different), and some brand new ones. This game is a bit darker in tone as well.
Hitman 4: Blood Money: Most people seem to find this one to be the best, though I found Hitman 2 to be better. Quite good level design, and fun missions in general. Feels a bit more fair than Hitman 2.
Hitman 5: Absolution: not played yet.


Overall, I like the hitman series. They do offer you a plethora of inventive ways to beat each level, depending on your playstyle (more so in 2 and forward). But you need to be patient and prepare for a surprisingly steep learning curve (nothing like a proper simulator, but still, don't expect simple action).

I'm not very familiar with the series and as such, still finding my way through Absolution... coming from Deus Ex (the latest one) and Assassin's Creed Revelations, it feels weird being subtracted points just because you killed your target. The game said I can do whatever I want, so why penalize my score from a clean kill?

I don't know about absolution, but in the other Hitman games, you get penalized for killing anyone who is not your target, for getting discovered & for causing people to be suspicious. So for an example setting off a car bomb when there are other people in/around the car than your target would not be seen as alright, even if it means killing your target.

My opinion, if you had to pick just one go with Blood Money, definitely the high point of the series. Having played halfway thru Absolution I can say the only level that actually felt like Hitman was the South Dakota level where you have to kill the three punks, looking back now the hospital level was actually very reminiscent of Deus Ex, only with a bit quirky mechanics lol.