The Hitman franchise has been around since 2000 and has become a staple of the stealth-action genre. The games have consistently been praised for their intricate level design, compelling narratives, and endless replayability. Here, we’ll dive into the top five Hitman games of all time.
1. Hitman: Blood Money (2006)
Hitman: Blood Money is considered by many fans to be the best game in the franchise. It features some of the most memorable missions, including the “Curtains Down” level where players take out a theater actor and his understudy, and the “A New Life” level where players must assassinate a witness in a suburban neighborhood.
Blood Money also introduced a new gameplay mechanic called the “Notoriety System” where the more players’ actions are witnessed, the more notoriety they gain, making it harder for them to complete missions without being detected. This mechanic added a new level of tension and strategy to the game.
2. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin (2002)
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin was the first game in the series to really establish the formula that the franchise would follow for years to come. The game follows Agent 47 as he comes out of retirement to save his friend, a priest, from the mafia.
Silent Assassin’s levels are some of the most varied and challenging in the series, including a mission set in a Japanese castle and another in an asylum. The game also introduced the “trick” system, where players could use objects in the environment to distract enemies or create opportunities for assassinations.
3. Hitman: Contracts (2004)
Hitman: Contracts is a unique entry in the series as it is essentially a remastered version of the first game with some new levels added in. The game follows Agent 47 as he recounts his past missions while recovering from an injury.
Contracts has some of the most atmospheric and disturbing levels in the series, including a mission set in a meatpacking plant and another in a hotel filled with hallucinogenic gas. The game also introduced new weapons and equipment for players to use, including a stun gun and a tactical shotgun.
4. Hitman (2016)
The 2016 Hitman game is a soft reboot of the franchise and was a return to form for the series after the mixed reception of Absolution. The game follows Agent 47 as he travels the world taking out high-profile targets.
The 2016 game features some of the largest and most detailed levels in the series, including a mission set in a Paris fashion show and another in a Japanese hospital. The game also introduced the “opportunities” system, where players could track specific targets and follow scripted events to create opportunities for assassinations.
5. Hitman: Absolution (2012)
Hitman: Absolution is often considered the black sheep of the franchise due to its more linear levels and increased focus on the story. However, the game still has some standout moments, including a mission set in a Chinatown marketplace and another in a Chicago library.
Absolution also introduced the “Instinct” system, which allowed players to see through walls and track enemy movement, giving players a new tool to plan their assassinations.
Conclusion
The Hitman franchise has had its ups and downs over the years, but these five games stand out as the best of the best. Whether you’re a fan of the classic Hitman games or the more recent entries, there’s something for everyone in this iconic franchise. With the upcoming release of Hitman 3, it’s clear that Agent 47 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
for over two decades now, and with each new game, it manages to bring something new to the table while staying true to its roots.
While these five games are considered the cream of the crop, the franchise has many other entries worth checking out.
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