As you all know by now is that fact that you can't go all that wrong
with a Hitman game. Which this version no doubt proves, again. After
the first one being released for the PC only. IO Interactive quickly
realized that the game had more potential than that. And released the
next version on almost all available consoles.
And of course also in Hitman: Blood Money for the Xbox 360. You're
again representing the person who fills the shoes of mister 47. I don't
think I need to explain more about this fellow. Let's say that nothing
changed thus far. He's still a money-hungry, cold-blooded killer. But
let's get on with the game itself. First of all you'll get this great
sort of 'tutorial-mission', where you can easily get used to many of
the things you'll be doing in the game. Which makes the game pretty
easy to pick up for somebody who didn't played it yet.
After that mission the story starts of and you'll be getting your
assignments after which you can prepare yourself to go to 'battle'.
Things such as choosing your weapons, viewing the briefing and intel
and last but certainly not least: updating from your weapons. This last
feature is new for the Hitman series and really is a perfect addition
to the game. It's pretty detailed and true to reality. So in all these
different and very diverse levels. You'll be doing your missions on a
dozen ways that are possible in the game. From brutal 'head-bashing'
with a hammer to 'just' witnessing an accident happen. Which
'accidentally' involves your target. Uhum....sure... ;) But no doubt
the freedom delivers a really good experience. Also the AI is a strong
point in the game. This has a good setup and increases nicely with
higher difficulties. Certainly at the highest difficulty you can't fool
around anymore and playtime is surely over.
So the 'free-roam-killing' and AI on its own are strong enough points to make the game play really good.
The story does nothing more but make that 'good', even better. It's a
really catchy story and intrigues you till the end. Even people who
haven't played Hitman before will enjoy the story no doubt. But more I
don't want to let go, only to make sure I won't spoil no 'appetite for
the game'.
Though there are some things that do surprise me. Which are mainly the
graphics. For some reason I don't get the idea that the game contains
the full fledged 'next-gen' graphics would expect with an Xbox 360. You
surely could have fooled me with saying it's a normal Xbox game. But
don't get me wrong here. I won't say that the graphics are bad or
anything. It's just that 'square trees' and fast repetitive patterns
aren't really things I would expect from a 'next-gen' game.
What does bring me back to that point are the achievements of course.
What would a 360-game be without the achievements? Indeed, a game
without achievements... Anyway, the gamerscore to gain in this game
isn't all too easy. You'll have to play trough the game a few times if
you want to get them all. But they are true to the setup of the game
and fun the get.
All by all I think the game is certainly worth to get. While waiting
for the next nice game that’s coming out on the 360. A gift and rental
are no doubt also good choices with this game. Even if it misses online
functions, it’s still well worth to play and play over again. So make
sure you at least tried the demo, if you got an Xbox 360 that is.
