TSA’s Top 100 of 2011 – #78 Hitman 5

Probably one of the more unknown factors on this list, there’s little dispute that IO Interactive’s Hitman 5 exists. When it’s coming out or what it will entail, however, is a different matter entirely.

Expiring targets for over a decade now, bald bad-ass Agent 47 first appearing on the PC before spreading his laconic executioner style to the PS2, GameCube and Xbox in 2002 in sequel Hitman 2: Silent Assassin. Two further games followed (Contracts and Blood Money), cementing the red tie wearing triggerman as one of gaming’s deadliest liquidators. In terms of the overall series, only Blood Money made it to this generation of consoles in the form of the well-received 360 version (82% on Metacritic), making Hitman 5 – whenever it does come out – the first of the franchise to grace the PlayStation 3. Along with the 360 outing, a PC version is also in the works.

For whatever reason, Danish developer IO Interactive are relunctant to talk about Hitman 5 at this moment in time. Slightly disconverting perhaps considering the game must be near completion, we can only assume they’re hard at work fashioning a gripping and violent tale of death and Armani suits, far too busy to talk to the likes of us. In fact, the last we heard about the project was back in July of this year when artwork appeared, quickly debunked by the studio as being unconnected to the project. Sources who have seen the game, however, seemed to think otherwise.

There’s always room at our blood-soaked table for some more Hitman; the first quartet of titles in the series resonating with numerous fans here at TheSixthAxis. The fact this entry is languishing in the high 70s on this list, however, is probably a reflection of the fact that 47 has been off our radar for some time (four years, eons in gaming). We’ve got along just swell without his terse yet pleasurable wacking ways that, though we’re obviously open to the prospect of his return, we’re not exactly rushing home to bake him cookies. Which is likely just the way he prefers it. We won’t even see him coming.

16 Comments

  1. They are indeed working on it and has been for some time, but the last thing I heard was something like late 2011, so that’s properly not gonna stick anymore :P

  2. The only thing that’s better than yet another Kovac’s mega-series of TSA articles is the mouseover text for the images

    • I’ve been adding them for ages. I’m not sure if people catch them but it gives me another outlet to sneak in the odd gag. Wait until you see the next one.
      ;)

      • awesome, im now going to go back through your articles and check them out

      • cheers cc. some crackers: recent activision article, GT release date piece, and the conduit 2 caption. nice one kovacs. cant help thinking the ‘Slant six resi evil’ caption should have been ‘BLUE STEEL!’ ;)

      • Not ALL of them are funny, mind.

  3. mysterious

  4. Love the Hitman series. Hitman 2 and Contracts were quality.

  5. Hitman is the most overlooked franchise ever – I absolutely love everything about it – the planning, the quiet observation, the execution of chains of events based on split-second timing, making everything look like a terrible but merely unfortunate accident… Mmmmmm….

    Also, I have a 6-foot Agent 47 model (the one they used to promote ‘Blood Money’ )that is currently in storage but used to live in my flat in Camden to scare unprepared visitors.

    • Wait a second …

      Apart from the replica agent 47, you sound exactly like my brother. It’s very disturbing. lol

      Talk of a sequel is awesome and my brother will be over the moon. Lets just hope it’s amazing and bug-free. :)

  6. Great series. I’m looking forward to hearing more about the next one.

  7. Hitman 5 would be great,but if they are making a HD version of all 3 past games i would be happy as ever.

  8. Hitman 5, never knew about this!

  9. Silent assassin was the nuts, the silverballers where my fave weapon

  10. Love the Hitman titles, only Game I miss from not having a 360 anymore.

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