Hitman Contracts

Hitman is a video game franchise available on most formats. It revolves around 47, a genetically engineered assassin for hire, whose methods have him wanted for jobs. The games have a considerable amount of violence and are rated as Mature 17+ by ESRB

The game was developed by Danish developer Io Interactive, now a division of Eidos. Three games have been released in the series: Hitman: Codename 47 (2002), Hitman 2: Silent Assassin (2003), and Hitman Contracts (2004). A fourth installment in the series (rumoured to be called "Hitman: Blood Money", since www.hitmanbloodmoney.com is now a registered web site) is believed to be in the works.

Hitman could playwise be described as an intermediate between Thief and Max Payne, having a control system similar to Max Payne (though the first Hitman was released earlier) and the stealth element from Thief. In Hitman player usually has more than one way to solve the missions. However, a straightforward attack with an assault rifle will usually just get the player killed, and the game encourages player to think about quiet ways of killing the target person. Normal guards and policemen will usually let 47 walk around in his suite at will unless he pulls a gun. Bigger guns, like shotguns, cannot be hidden at all if carried. In many missions 47 will have to get a disguise. This happens by drugging or killing some innocent driver, guard, chef or delivery boy and snatching their clothes.

Weapons feature the trademark Hardballers (custom Colt 1911 .45ACP pistols), silenced Beretta pistol, fiber wire used to strangle victims, and variety of submachine guns, sniper rifles, assault rifles, machineguns as well as knives, golf clubs and other a bit more exotic weapons.

The games

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.

Hitman: Codename 47

Published in 2000.

Hitman: Silent Assassin

Published in 2002.

While 47 is trying to hide from his dark past in a monastery in Sicily, his host and friend Father Vittorio is kidnapped by the Mafia, and 47 attacks their fortified mansion in an attempt to rescue him. The agency who gave him info on the Mafia want a job in return, and he is pulled back into the world he wanted to leave.

Hitman: Contracts

Published in 2004.