Hitman (2016 video game)
Episodic stealth game featuring open-ended assassination sandboxes.
Hitman, released in 2016, is a stealth game from IO Interactive, published by Square Enix. It serves as the sixth main game in the Hitman series, kicks off the World of Assassination trilogy, and picks up after *Hitman: Absolution* (2012). Players control Agent 47, a genetically engineered assassin, as he travels the globe to eliminate targets in a string of assassinations that initially appear unrelated.
The game is built around large, open-ended sandbox levels that Agent 47 can freely roam. Players are given a wide range of assassination methods, many of which are unconventional. IO Interactive added a "live component" to the experience, regularly delivering new content as downloadable updates. The six episodes are set in Paris, Sapienza, Marrakesh, Bangkok, Colorado, and Hokkaido.
Development shifted back to IO Interactive after Square Enix Europe’s Montréal studio was initially set up for the next *Hitman* game, following the disappointing sales of *Absolution*. The team aimed to reimagine the franchise by blending *Absolution*’s gameplay with the open-ended nature of earlier entries. They described *Hitman* as a puzzle game with action and stealth elements, refining the simulation and artificial intelligence for each level. The episodic model was chosen, with the game envisioned as a service. Marketed as a "World of Assassination," it was designed as a platform that would grow and evolve over time, eventually inspiring a trilogy.
The game was released episodically for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One from March to October 2016. Critics gave it positive reviews, praising the episodic format, locations, level design, and replayability, but they criticized the always-online requirement and excessive handholding. Commercially, it underperformed, leading publisher Square Enix to divest from IO Interactive in May 2017. After a management buyout, IO retained the series rights and partnered with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for a sequel, *Hitman 2*, released in November 2018. The World of Assassination trilogy concluded with *Hitman 3* in January 2021. In January 2023, *Hitman* was delisted from sale when IO Interactive rebranded *Hitman 3* as *Hitman: World of Assassination*, making the content from the first two games available to *Hitman 3* owners for free.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Hitman
- Developer
- IO Interactive
- Publisher
- Square EnixFeral Interactive published the macOS and Linux version; IO Interactive self-published future re-issues of the game from Square Enix, as well as the Stadia version.
- Director
- Christian Elverdam
- Producer
- Markus Friedl · Ole Mogensen · Søren Raadved Lund · Alex Hillman
- Designer
- Jesper Hylling
- Artist
- Jonathan Row
- Writer
- Michael Vogt
- Composer
- Niels Bye Nielsen
- Engine
- Glacier 2
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4 · Windows · Xbox One · Linux · macOS · Stadia
- Genre
- Stealth
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Hitman was conceived as a reimagining of the franchise, integrating the gameplay of Absolution with the open-endedness of earlier installments. The developers refined the simulation and artificial intelligence of each level, viewing the game as a puzzle game with action and stealth elements. The game adopted an episodic model and was marketed as a 'World of Assassination,' intended to expand and evolve over time and inspire a trilogy of games.
The single-player story follows Agent 47 as he completes contracts provided by his handler Diana Burnwood. An unknown individual called the Shadow Client covertly coordinates these contracts to attack a secretive organization called Providence. The game ends with Diana being approached by a Providence representative requesting that the ICA deal with the Shadow Client.
Each episode is set in a location: Paris, Sapienza, Marrakesh, Bangkok, Colorado, and Hokkaido. The game features large, open-ended sandboxes that Agent 47 can freely explore, with various assassination opportunities, many of which are unconventional. IO Interactive introduced a 'live component' with regularly delivered downloadable content, including time-limited Elusive Target missions.
Reader's Guide
Hitman received positive reviews upon release, with critics praising its episodic release format, locations, level design, and replayability, but criticizing the always-online requirement and excessive handholding. The game underperformed commercially, causing publisher Square Enix to divest from IO Interactive in May 2017. Following a management buyout, IO retained the rights to the series and partnered with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to produce a sequel, Hitman 2, released in November 2018. The World of Assassination trilogy concluded with Hitman 3 in January 2021. In January 2023, Hitman was delisted from sales after IO Interactive rebranded Hitman 3 as Hitman: World of Assassination, with the contents of the previous two games becoming available to Hitman 3 owners free of charge. The game's legacy includes its influence on the episodic model for AAA games and its role in establishing the World of Assassination trilogy.
Did You Know?
- The game was released episodically from March to October 2016 for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.
- Each episode is set in a different location: Paris, Sapienza, Marrakesh, Bangkok, Colorado, and Hokkaido.
- The game features time-limited 'Elusive Target' missions that cannot be replayed if the target escapes or the player fails.
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