Hitman fans are awaiting a new entry in the franchise. The key word there, however, is ‘awaiting’, as it’ll only arrive next year. There’s still plenty of waiting to do, which is good if you’re a particularly large fan of waiting. If you’re at all impatient like, for example, myself, then you’ll want something to occupy that time. This presents the perfect opportunity for you to sink your teeth back into Hitman: Blood Money.
[drop]On the other hand, you might never have played a Hitman game and, after watching the likes of this video on YouTube (level spoilers, if that kind of thing matters to you), suddenly have the urge to rectify that gaping hole in your gaming life. Make no mistake; there is a hole there, and it’s perfectly shaped for Agent 47 to plug the gap.In case you’re somehow unaware, Hitman, at its most basic level, is a game in which you play as a Hitman (shock!), codenamed Agent 47, who, as a killer for hire, goes around killing people for cash. Agent 47’s flawless record has him favoured by the most wealthy and powerful of clients, so you get to partake in various entertaining capers.
As the video linked above shows, the game is about stealth, should you choose to play it that way. It’s also entirely possible to shoot your way through most levels if that’s more your forte. Both the stealth and gunplay are fleshed out and feel good, whether you’re disguised as a delivery man to get to your target or leaving a path bathed in crimson behind as you make your way through the level, you’re going to be having fun.
I should warn that, despite it being entirely possible to shoot your way through the game, it might get difficult. There are a lot of people to get in your way if that’s the way you decide to go, as you can see in the above video (there’s a whole series through that link if you’re interested in seeing for yourself). Hell, you can always take a shot (ha!) and, if you can’t pull it off, stealth your way through. Or you can go with my method: Kill everyone you possibly can whilst still being relatively sneaky.
The challenge in the game comes from its scenarios and getting to grips with the nuances of each level rather than taking on the enemies themselves. Levels can have you sneaking in as a delivery guy, finding alternative routes, hiding bodies in freezers, and they’re all very different. It keeps the game fresh all the way through. Alternatively, you can just fill everyone with lead. One of them has to be the target, right?
Hitman: Blood Money is £5.99 on Steam. Even better; you can get the Hitman Collection, which contains Hitman, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin and Hitman: Blood money for £14.99. System requirements are available through the links but, if you have a Windows system that’s even slightly modern, it’ll probably handle the games just fine.
Dan Lee
Just got this as part of OnLive’s PlayPack. Will give it a blast sometime.
3shirts
Blood Money is epic. I spent so much time trying to perfect the ultimate stealth run through some of the trickier levels. There are genuinely hundreds of ways to complete each mission and it is a rare thing indeed that you actually feel like you have come up with a plan yourself rather than just found the way the developers intended you to do it.
colmshan1990
Got this for around €2 in the Steam sale. Quite fun, but I’m not much of a PC gamer.
Sympozium
Will play once I get the Playback offer…
mugsybalone
I’ve never owned a Hitman game, is it worth playing any of the earlier ones before Blood Money for any back-story, or can I jump right in?
Kitch
You can jump straight in. That is the joy of Blood Money. The back story adds but you don’t miss out without it.
FalconRedux
I second what Kitch said. The series as a whole is a bit different and the earlier games haven’t aged well. Will get you in the mood for Absolution, too.
mugsybalone
Thanks for the responses – I’ll definitely be picking up Blood Money, what I’ve seen of it looks brilliant.
Mundham
Am gonna get Onlive monthly, so shall look forward to this…