The sequel to 2016’s hit Hitman reboot is here with the continued episodic approach in Hitman 2. Agent 47 returns a ridiculous amount of weapons at his disposal as he takes on contract kills against dangerous crime lords and even those in charge of his employ. Teaming up with Diana Burnwood, Agent 47 works in the shadows as a contract killer of the ICA all while planning their downfall from under them.

Hitman 2 is a 2018 stealth video game, it is developed by I/O Interactive and published by WB Interactive Entertainment. It is currently available on PC, Playstation 4, and Xbox One.

Editor’s Note: A review copy of Hitman 2 & Hitman Legacy Edition  was recently provided by WBIE in support of this review, the latter title Hitman will also be reviewed. Medium to near complete spoilers for Hitman 2’s story may be present within this review.

One of gaming’s greatest assassins returns in Hitman 2.

In 2016 I/O Interactive launched a more than commercially and critically successful reboot to its Hitman franchise. A game series about a contract killer known only as Agent 47 who disposes of his targets and those in his way through practical and ridiculous manner. The number of kills techniques from straight forward gun play to much more precised operations such as poisonings and using wire to choke out your enemies to death made the series a fan-favorite in the mid-2000s. You can even play the game without taken a single life beyond the planned target if that’s how you choose to go through your missions. The reboot and it’s sequel Hitman 2 provided players with semi-open world gameplay and even more ways to eliminate enemy targets than ever before.

Use every disguise and weapon available to you to take out your targets.

THE GOOD: Agent 47 returns with a more than moderately successful reboot. Taking on an episodic approach which has become rather popular as of the last few years Hitman 1 is taken in small “per episode” doses, whereas 2 follows a more traditional final product game style. Each episode is a few hours in length with every episode increasing in time length one by one. The episodes featuring their own semi-open world map with a multitude of strategies and weaponry available at the player’s discretion for eliminating the current target(s) of the episode. After completing the episodes bonuses are unlocked such as new targets and new ways to kill said targets, in addition to new areas of the map that may have been previously closed off. As with any Hitman game you can play without taking any life outside of the intended targets, or go ballistic and kill as many people as you see fit. Using strategy in Hitman is admittedly it’s most fun strength. Keeping the players on their toes while the stress of getting caught is good fun. There’s bonus experience gained for these strategies too like when you take out cameras and even wipe the security footage data if you can find the room where the computers and footage are being kept. There’s also new modes available in Hitman 2 such as ‘Sniper Assassin’ in which players face off against one another by taking out targets with weapons limited to sniper rifles. Graphically this is one of the most beautiful Hitman titles I’ve ever seen. There’s so much attention grabbing detail that you often forget you’re playing a piece of fiction. While not quite the level of realism and detail to something akin to Red Dead Redemption 2, Hitman 2’s graphics are more than impressive for its budget.

New modes give Hitman 2 an edge over the previous installment.

Hitman 2’s story like its predecessor takes place sometime following the events of Hitman: Absolution (six years for Hitman 1) and Agent 47 has gotten close to his handler Diana Burnwood. So much so that the two plan to overthrow the Providence who enlists clients for the ICA. Burnwood learns that the ICA is responsible for some of the most painful moments of her and 47’s lives. This leads the duo into teaming with the Shadow Client Lucas Grey; a former enemy turned ally and like 47, an assassin. Grey, Burnwood, and 47 work together taking out important Providence clients. After taking a top level Providence member hostage for intel, he warns Diana of the things she doesn’t know. A flashback plays revealing that 47 was responsible for enacting the hit on Diana’s parents.

Hitman 2’s engine makes for a beautifully detailed, well designed game.

THE BAD: AI feels a bit unbalanced at times. There are instances where enemies will over power you and others where you can literally plow through waves of them with no issue. Thankfully, the latter was a rarer occurrence and would happen randomly throughout levels.

Gain XP which unlocks new perks by completing certain tasks during a mission such as performing unique kills and collect multiple forms of intel.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Hitman 1 is a fantastic experiment into bringing the franchise back from its dormancy. Meanwhile, Hitman 2 follows-up the success of Hitman 1 with excellent developmental strides that helps keep the franchise alive with a bright future in regards for what’s possible in things to come for the series.