Hitman: Blood Money (Xbox 360) Review
Posted by Joshua Richey on 07.16.2006
Agent 47 is back!
Let’s face it; there are times when we all would like nothing more than to lash out and cause bodily harm to those that rub us the wrong way. Motorists that pull out in front of you when nothing is behind you, the woman that works at McDonalds that says they’ve ‘stopped serving breakfast’, when technically they still have 2 minutes, or how about those socially disturbed kids that shop at the Hot Topic, while wearing their ‘edgy’ Nightmare Before Christmas apparel. All of these people deserve nothing more than a nice swift cap in the ass. Unfortunately, these things can never come to pass, thanks to that ‘law’ thing that we must abide by. Luckily, there is the Hitman franchise. With Hitman, we can escape the harsh reality in which we’re deprived of walking up to complete strangers, and slashing their throats with sharp fiber wire.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Hitman series; it’s one of the more intense and dark games that the video game market has come a crossed. You play a killing machine for hire that goes by the name Agent 47. As this deadly assassin, you’re sent on a number of missions in which you’re to terminate a certain individual or individuals. These targets are usually the most evil of men that range from drugs lords-to-corrupt politicians. The game uses’ a unusual technique with its gameplay -- in that you can choose to complete levels by just running around and blasting anything that moves, or you can earn extra rewards by using the stealth technique to take out your targets. There are even methods in which you can make their deaths look accidental. It’s this aspect of Hitman that gives it such an immense amount of replay value; which is rare for a game that doesn’t feature multi-player.
With the decline in the popularity of Eidos’ moneymaker Tomb Raider, Eidos’ has turned to Denmark based developer, Io Interactive, to deliver another hit with the latest Hitman game, Hitman: Blood Money. The game, which has been released for the PS2, PC, X-Box, and X-Box 360, once again centers around Agent 47 in his attempt to rid the world of evil child molesting opera singers, and drug trafficking amusement park owners, while also making some money along the way. Only this time, Agent 47 isn’t the only commission based assassin on the loose. As this time, 47 will be a victim of his own game; a bounty has been place upon his head, and a fellow assassin is on his trail.
The Hitman series has shown a consistent amount of growth with each game that is released. Hitman 2 was better than the original Hitman. Hitman: Contracts was more enjoyable than Hitman 2, and so on. Does this trend continue with Hitman: Blood Money?
Graphics
If you’re playing the 360 version of Blood Money, don’t expect to be ‘wowed’. This game was developed with the PS2, and X-Box’s limitations in mind. It was then simply ported over to the 360. This isn’t that big of a factor though, as the game is still pretty to look at. The games levels are large, spacious, and beautiful to look at. While playing the game, there was times in which I would temporarily stop everything and take in the scenery. These levels are all the more impressive when filled with innocent bystanders, who walk around and socialize with one another; giving it a much more realistic feel to it. Aside from Agent 47’s awkward running motion, the animation is precise, and flows smoothly. The game also features rag doll physic’s, making your kills all the more enjoyable. Pushing people off balconies, puncturing them with syringes, and slicing throats, has never looked this good.
Gameplay
You don’t have to have played previous Hitman games in order to understand the controls. The learning curve is pretty simple, and you’ll be given time at the beginning of the first mission to work it all out. Patience is the key when it comes to Blood Money. This isn’t Final Fight, so don’t burst into a room and start shooting like a maniac; this will only lead to a not so quick death (more on that later). Instead, take the time to learn the controls, learn your limitations, and set strategies. You would be surprised at how impacting it is to simply create a distraction, rather than using brute force. Hitman’s levels feature an abundance of opportunities to avoid confrontation.
Sound
Sound is much more important to Hitman than one would assume. The games music will often times playoff from what you’re doing within the game. If your about to come across something significant, the music will begin to build so that your blood begins to pump; but if you’re just dicking around, doing nothing, than you’ll hear complete silence. This is the games way of saying ‘what the fuck are you doing?’ It’s also pivotal that you listen to the dialogues of the conversations that take place around you. Pedestrians will often at times give you precious information that is essential to your mission.
Lasting Appeal
If this is your first time playing a Hitman game, then you will walk away from it as a fan of the series. If you were already a fan of the franchise, than you will only be encouraged at how much these games improve over the next. It’s a well thought up game that in a time where all video games appear to be recycled versions of one another, still finds the capability of being original and introduce new ideas.
Fun Factor
The strategy and stealth involved in this game, really makes it fun. You’re not limited in the actions that you can do, or the ways to beat the game. If your style is to beat the missions in a way that it appears that you were never actually there, this game allows you to do so. But if you prefer to have some fun, take out your targets, but at the same time want take shooting practice on the local innocent bystanders, then you’re sick…and will also enjoy Hitman: Blood Money.
The 411 The Good: Hitman: Blood Money isn’t all that difficult; you should be able to have it completed within a week or so of consistent playing. Its graphics are well above par, its gameplay is first-rate, and it’s story hooks you in. It is definitely worth renting; or if you were a fan of the other games, it’s worth buying.
The Bad: I have few complaints with this Blood Money. First off the enemy’s AI can at times respond unrealistically. If you’re in a disguise, your pretty much safe to do whatever it is that you want; things like madly running about in the region of an enemy guard, will warrant no consequences.
Also, don’t die. No, I mean it. If you die within this game, prepare for the longest and most drawn out death scene in video game history. Upon meeting your fate, the screen will become red, and you’ll fall to the ground…in slow motion. It doesn’t serve any significance, but I suppose IO Interactive wanted to give you just a little more incentive into not dying. My advice: after you’ve been delivered the death blow, go to the kitchen and make yourself a hot pocket; hopefully upon your return you have finally keeled over, and you're ready to restart.
Graphics
8.5
As expected, this game does not take advantage of the 360's abilities, but at no point do the graphics hold this game back.
Gameplay
8.0
Agent 47s weird running motion aside, the games gameplay is easy to learn, and features no camera problems.
Sound
9.0
The sound of citizen small talk, the creeping of the floor as you tread softly across it, the sound of your bullets ripping into ‘bad guy’ flesh… it doesn’t get much better.
Lasting Appeal
8.5
Blood Money requires you to use your brain a bit more than some would like; but its puzzles, and plot twists make accomplishing missions all the more rewarding.
Fun Factor
9.5
This game not only allows you to kill Chicken Mascots, rehabilitating druggies and billionaire playboys, but it actually requires it. That my friends, is the essence of fun.
