Hitman for Windows

Hitman drops Agent 47 into a globe-trotting career of surgical eliminations. Six expansive locations: Paris fashion gala, sun-soaked Sapienza, bustling Marrakesh, a Bangkok resort, rural Colorado ranch, and snow-bound Hokkaido hospital unfold as intricate clockwork playgrounds packed with disguises, traps, and environmental hazards. Each map supports emergent stealth action, inviting meticulous scouting, multi-level infiltration, and improvisational approaches to contract kills.

Each contract in Hitman blends stealth and improvisation. From poisoned drinks to staged accidents, players eliminate targets creatively. With clear objectives and generous save slots, the game rewards both calculated planning and bold experimentation in its richly interactive assassination playgrounds.

Precision playgrounds for creative kills

Hitman packs each location with dozens of Opportunities, scripted chance events that steer newcomers toward cinematic assassinations while letting veterans improvise their own masterpieces. You might sabotage a fire-safety drill in Paris, rig a cannon in sun-kissed Sapienza, or trigger a stall collapse in Marrakesh’s bustling market. The game’s reliable cause-and-effect systems allow players to transform even a humble kitchen wrench into the perfect lethal instrument.

Beyond the main story, Contracts Mode lets users design hits for others, and Escalation Contracts layer rising complications like camera wipe-outs or suit-only restrictions. Elusive targets, time-limited, one-chance events add high-stakes tension, while mastery progression unlocks new gear and starting positions that reshape familiar maps. With optional online leaderboards, the hunt for an elegant, high-score execution can last for weeks.

Its ambition occasionally stumbles. Enemy AI can swing between sharp awareness and baffling inattention, undercutting immersion during stealth sequences. The always-online requirement locks some progression behind connectivity, which may frustrate solo players. Load times between retries interrupt experimentation, while the overarching story feels minimal, offering little drive beyond unlocking new locations. Repetitive Opportunity voice prompts also wear thin after several runs through the same mission.

Mastering stealth through open design

Despite its quirks, Hitman delivers a refined and deeply rewarding stealth-action experience. Its intricate levels, vast toolset, and sandbox structure allow players to explore countless solutions. With community contracts, escalating challenges, and persistent unlocks, each mission invites experimentation and replay. For those who enjoy methodical planning, creative execution, and the thrill of a perfect hit, Hitman remains an essential entry in the stealth genre.

• Released version