October Magazine

PREVIEW
HITMAN
Square Enix and IO Interactive
have released some gameplay clips
of the highly anticipated HITMAN.
Focused on the core of what makes
a great HITMAN game, the video
provides us a little more detail into
some of the new level designs, disguises,
and creative elements into
taking out specific targets. Whilst
currently an Alpha preview, the mission
“Showstopper” gives us an
idea about the new direction that IO
are now aiming for the series.
Within the playthrough, IO Interactive
gives us a little context for our
target, Viktor Novikov – a world
renown fashion brand owner, who
is currently the owner of the spy
agency IAGO. After the briefing, IO
Interactive goes into detail about
the new load-out system throughout
HITMAN. Whilst unlocking more
weapons throughout missions, HIT-
MAN players can choose whatever
weapons they wish to use throughout
these missions. With IO showcasing
such melee weapons as
wrenches, katanas and screw drivers
– players can decide for themselves
their method of play and just
noisy or brutal they want to be within
HITMAN.
Much like Absolution, IO Interactive
has placed just as much emphasis
on creating a “living world” for players
to explore. Much like in Blood
Money and Absolution, the wonderful
crowed system has also made
a glorious return to HITMAN,- with
up 300+ simulated NPC’s spawned
into place in creating these vibrant
levels. In addition to this, selected
NPC’s throughout these levels will
also participate in their own little
activities throughout these worlds
– with various dialogue exchanges
taking place that may/may not
serve as a key element in exploring
these missions.
But what helps this game in providing
further depth, would definitely
have to be scale of each of the levels.
In comparison to Absolution,
these new levels within HITMAN
are absolutely enormous. With the
vast openness in infiltrating certain
areas, and differences some areas
have on others – needless to say I’m
incredibly eager in playing through
these new digital playgrounds.
Whether Hitman fans loved or hated
it, Hitman Absolution’s ‘instinct’ system
is now an optional feature for
this new title – meaning, fans of the
classics can experience this new title
in it’s initial stealthy style. As for
the disguise system, that too has
been altered – with the new system
harking back to its original roots and
ditching the whole ‘instinct’ bar in
sneaking past specific NPCs.
But with that said, there are some
individuals who aren’t easily as
fooled by 47’s masquerade talents.
Indicted by a little triangle, higher
up security guards will be able notice
you instantly – meaning, that
disguises will not always the main
go-to option in infiltrating particular
areas.
HITMAN is expected to launch December
8th, 2015 on Xbox One,
PlayStation 4 and PC. In the meantime,
be sure to check out this
lengthy preview down below.