Reviews / previews
In the tradition of Thief and Metal Gear Solid comes Hitman: Codename 47, a third-person shooter that emphasizes stealth and cunning over gun-blazing mayhem. As the enigmatically named title character, Codename 47, you will be assigned the task of taking out various bad guys, like terrorists and crooked politicians. And while you could march right in with your guns drawn and shoot everyone in sight, you'll want to be more tactful than that because the quieter and cleaner the job, the more money you get paid. And more money means you'll be able to buy better weapons, like high-powered pistols and sniper rifles. You can expect Hitman: Codename 47 to sneak into stores later this year.
-- Brian Wright / GamePro
Combining a cinematic third-person view with first-person-style gameplay, this captivating game puts you in the shadowy shoes of a professional hitman. Though Rambo wannabes will feel pinned down by the realism, Hitman oozes with enough seedy atmosphere and tense action to satisfy the most jaded gamer.
Graphics: Richly detailed settings and character models make the action seem all the more lifelike. You'll perform hits in such locales as a busy Hong Kong street and a steamy Columbian jungle that looks like where Oliver Stone shot his movie Platoon. Plus, the cinematic third-person view lets you see your character using bad-ass weapons.
Sound: Much of the voice acting sounds cheesy and negatively stereotypical, not to mention that even the jungle Indians speak English and that all guards say "Hey" before they shoot at you. Luckily, the weapon sounds rock and roll.
Control: Despite the third-person view, Hitman has the precision aiming and smooth controls of most first-person shooters. The system of manipulating objects and using items, however, is more complicated and unwieldy than it needs to be, and often gets you killed.
Tech: Though it's better than in most games, the enemy A.I. is quirky and unpredictable. Sometimes they won't notice your disguise, and sometimes they will. But it seems completely random.
Fun Factor: As soon as you zap a Hong Kong crime boss with a rooftop sniper shot, you'll realize Hitman is a gritty, badass game. The combination of Thief-style sneaking with smart enemy A.I. and the use of realistic weapons-piano wire, silenced pistols, sniper rifles, and even M-60s-creates an intense experience, though many gamers will be frustrated by the lack of in-game saving.-- 0 / GamePro
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