My business is my pleasure.

The Hitman series is one I knew existed for a long time but it wasn’t until the release of Blood Money that I was truly introduced to what being a Hitman was really about.

“I love it when a plan comes together”, isn’t just a catch phrase used in an old TV show, it’s a simple way I can sum up what I like about this series the most and the episodic release of Hitman back in 2016 really epitomized this with its great level designs and wealth of creative ways to deal out death.

With Hitman 2 taking a step back from the episodic formula to a more traditional full release, I wondered if it could continue the strong momentum inherited by its predecessor.

There’s some great dark humor in the writing as well as in what can be brandished as a weapon.

MSRP: $59.99
Platform: PS4,X1, PC
Multiplayer: Must be online to log challenge progress and play versus other players
Length: 12~ hours, Played: 30~ hours (Very replayable)

To those unfamiliar with what Hitman is all about, it’s basically right there in the title.

As a professional that kills for money, the method in which a contract is closed is entirely up to the player’s discretion and although it’s generally frowned upon to go out guns blazing, it’s a viable option, as long as the ammunition supply can accommodate the population of a small town.

Another approach would be to do things stealthily, donning disguises that allow access to secure areas and confirming the kill through a variety of means ranging from food poisoning to having a stuffed shark fall on top of them in what can only be described as an “orchestrated freak accident.”

The story picks up immediately after the events of the first title as Agent 47 and his handler, Diana, begins the hunt for their previous employer, the “shadow client”. The plot delves into the past of both of the aforementioned characters as we’re given a brief glimpse into the events that made them into the people that they are today. The story is told mostly using animated still shots of characters with accompanying voice over and while the voice work is strong all around, I found the presentation to be bit lacking as I would have much prefered full motion cutscenes.

Given that the story is just barely interesting enough to not be completely irrelevant, it’s no surprise that it’s not the driving force of the game. That honor belongs to the gameplay and the massive levels which were all designed with meticulous attention to detail to allow for numerous approaches to get the job done.

Dress to kill.

After listening to the briefing about the targets, I was able to use as much or as little “guidance” as I felt like and most of the time, I found myself just exploring the level looking for various opportunities. Given that I always had the option to fall back on a generous hint system that would mark objectives on the map, I never felt lost, not knowing what I needed to do. After choosing a particular opportunity to follow, I would try to create situations where I could be alone with the target for a silent takedown or orchestrate an “accident” where I could simply watch my machinations slowly unfold, safe in knowing that I could simply walk away after the deed has been done.

Some opportunities required many steps to pull off but as I watched amongst the crowd to witness the final moments of my target’s life, I couldn’t help but get a sly smile on my face.

I would sometimes forgo these elaborate methods and begin the mission with my trusty sniper rifle stored in a fashionable briefcase and simply walk around looking for the best vantage points. Once I’ve found a view to kill, I would simply wait, biding my time for the perfect moment to squeeze the trigger. After completing a mission, I would often refer back to the challenge section that would detail other possible methods, some of which were out of my expectations enough to warrant a genuine, “I can do that?!” I especially loved scenarios where I could figure out a way to kill multiple targets at once.

As I replayed finished missions, I gained more mastery levels which would unlock new areas/disguises to start with and weapons/gear that I could use going forward. Items like noise generators, silenced sniper rifles and more were a welcome addition to my arsenal and since I was never using the same method to take out the target, it never felt boring or repetitive. This is fortunate as there really are only six missions to tackle but as I completed each of them around 4-6 times, it certainly didn’t feel lacking in content.

The Undying will remain undying, at least to me.

Outside of the main story mode and missions, there is a Sniper Assassin where I was tasked with taking out several targets from a safe vantage point and even though the entire experience takes place behind the scope of a sniper rifle, I could pick my moments leading to some creative kills. The online multiplayer mode pitted me against another player in a race to take out a number of targets and while I couldn’t directly interact with my opponent, I could use distraction methods to try and ruin the plans of my rival. While interesting in idea, neither modes felt compelling enough for me try more than a handful of times.

Instead, I was eagerly waiting for the elusive target to unlock. As I only had one single chance to fulfill the contract, it increased the tension to the absolute maximum and while I was unsuccessful in taking out the first elusive target of the season, the way that mission played out is one of my absolute favorite moment in gaming this year and really showcased what makes the Hitman series great in the first place.

Hitman 2 is not leaps and bounds better or even different than its predecessor, as it feels less like a sequel and more like the second season. However, it manages to hit the mark where it truly matters with expansive level designs and a wealth of gameplay options that makes playing through the same missions multiple times consistently fun but feel different every time.

FunTidbit– The double kill in Miami is a favorite of mine and I recommend everyone seek it out if they have the chance!

Review copy of game provided by publisher.