Hitman 2: PS4 Review

Hitman 2: PS4 Review

Developed by IO Interactive
Platform: PS4

Agent 47 is back.

And this time, he's out to kill.

Much like last time, and the time before that. Well, maybe not like last time.

The previous game carved up 47's shenanigans into episodes, giving you time to feel the thrill of the planning and the execution of the kill as well - plus the wait between missions made you realise how well planned all of it was.

This latest, in truth, feels a little episodic, given you can choose where you carry on after the first mission. It's strange to report that as the whole game's been released at once.

Loosely, the game follows on from the last, with Agent 47 hunting out the Shadow Client and his shadowy group, setting him on a collision course with his past.

Beginning on the sandy shores of Hawke's Bay, the globe trotting carries on again, with 47's missions taking him to the shores of Mumbai, Colombia and other parts of Europe.
Hitman 2 works in some ways, and fails in others.

But largely, it's as fun as you want to make it. Again, it's not a game for patience and if you've got no desire to work out plans, set traps and reap the rewards, it's probably best you head off somewhere else. However, watching targets scatter, moving closer to your execution of them can provide a vicarious thrill.

The New Zealand opener in Hawke's Bay is piecemeal; its location could be anywhere, but it's a nice moody opener to set the conspiracy tone going, and the beach front locale means you really do have to plan stuff out to escape. But again, going full tilt can mean the level can be cleared with a minimum of fuss.

That's the thing with Hitman 2; it's as complicated as you want to make it.

Smart people will spend time planning, and others (like me) will just go in, all guns blazing, and missing out on the nods to the Agent 47 series and the score that comes from executing something smart and clever.

Graphically, the game's fine. Its locations are what sets it apart, with lots of detail going into the scene-setting; and a little less in terms of the facial distinctions. And in some ways, the gameplay feels scattered; particularly some of the static nature of the sequences does make it feel like there could be more to do.

In terms of the final product, Hitman 2 does exactly what it says on the tin; there are multiplayer propositions too, and the return of the elusive targets to take in. But in terms of standing out from the crowd in a very busy season, Hitman 2 takes its shot, but doesn't quite hit a bullseye for anyone other than the fans of Agent 47's ongoing story.