Hitman: Blood Money for Xbox One

Kill with stealth and trickery

Hitman: Blood Money is the fourth installment in the Hitman series. Like its predecessors, this premium action-packed game consists of a series of missions in which the enigmatic Agent 47 uses disguise, stealth, and technology to hunt and kill a series of targets.

One of the highlights of Hitman: Blood Money is its extensive arsenal. Agent 47 is equipped with a wide range of weapons, providing players with the flexibility to choose their preferred method of taking out targets. It introduces innovative ways to make every death appear as an innocent accident, adding an intriguing layer of complexity to the gameplay.

Combines stealth and puzzle game mechanics

Essentially, Hitman: Blood Money is an intricate cross between a stealth-based game and a puzzle game, challenging players to unravel the interaction of different elements in each level to successfully eliminate the target without detection. This compelling design often requires multiple play-throughs of a mission to achieve optimal results, thereby enhancing the replay value of each level. Subtle yet significant refinements in game mechanics, compared to previous entries in the series, amplify the gameplay experience.

For example, the enhanced system of hiding bodies makes it easier and more effective, contributing to a more immersive and strategic approach to each mission. Its storyline is also engaging and interesting, with Agent 47 heading to America following a series of assassinations of his peers at his contract agency. There, he aims to solve the mystery surrounding the killings and hopefully take down the agency at fault.

The game also introduces the ‘Blood Money’ system, which rewards players based on the cleanliness of their ‘hit.’ The more inconspicuous the assassination, the bigger the reward. Moreover, a customizable weapons system allows the modification of Agent 47’s firearms in various ways, including sound, recoil, rate of fire, damage, reload speed, accuracy, and zoom. However, despite these new mechanics, old fans of the series may feel like they’re just playing the old games.

An upcoming remake

Excitement is afoot as Hitman: Blood Money is set to be re-released with a remastered version, as part of IO Interactive’s 25th-anniversary celebrations. Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal, as the remastered game is titled, promises to bring back the classic stealth action that fans adored in the original 2006 release. This enhanced edition, created in collaboration with Feral Interactive, will be launched on mobile devices and Nintendo Switch.

The mobile version is particularly noteworthy, as it comes with full support for controllers, keyboards, and mice, in addition to a fully customizable touchscreen interface. Gameplay mechanics have been modernized, including an Instinct Mode and a permanent mini-map for better mission planning. With twelve sandbox levels and multiple ways to achieve objectives, the remaster provides an opportunity for fans to revisit a beloved classic and newcomers to experience the thrill of the Hitman series.

A must-play for Hitman series fans

Hitman: Blood Money’s nuanced gameplay mechanics, extensive arsenal, and compelling narrative make it a standout title in the Hitman series. The game’s seamless integration of disguise, stealth, and technology, set against a backdrop of intricate puzzles, elevates its replay value and provides players with an immersive gaming experience. The introduction of the ‘Blood Money’ system and customizable weapons adds an extra layer of strategy too.