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This game is... different. It isn't like Thief, wherein if a group of enemies spots you, you are most certainly their bitch. It also isn't like a lot of shooters, wherein stealth is actually a lot more hassle than it is worth, and you can take a tank shell to the head and still survive. Hitman cleverly combines both stealth and action into one bald package. With many routes to take in any one mission, rarely will you find yourself stuck in a single position with no idea of what to do next (save maybe the last mission, but it's supposed to be difficult.) Limited saves add another level of difficulty to the game. Well, before I ruin everything here and now, on with the review!

Graphics: 10/10

No real complaints here. Camera never really posed too much of a problem in a mission, which is a lot more than I can say about a LOT of games out there. Appropriate lighting in areas, enemies actually look camouflaged in some areas, adding a huge amount of difficulty if you aren't carefully looking around, shells fall to the ground as you pump a room full of lead, etc. Opening of doors look a bit fake, but nothing to kill the mood at all.

Audio: 9/10

Sufficient, no real complaints. Voice acting isn't too shabby, screams of terror are a plus. Nothing real bad, but nothing absolutely spectacular.

Difficulty: 10/10

Varied difficulty throughout, each mission getting slightly more difficult. Depending on your playing style, a mission can be extremely easy or excruciatingly difficult. As a result, if you change your playing styles, the game shouldn't be all that difficult. Granted, I've only played through on the easiest difficulty, but now that I look back on it... it was kinda easy, once I got through a couple rough spots.

Storyline: 8/10

Although the storyline was interesting, it didn't really feel... relevant at all to the actual game play. It didn't compel me to take certain actions, nor did it make me not want to play. The storyline culminates at the end, which is nice, but I just never really felt a connection between me and the character.

Gameplay: 10/10

Because you can take multiple paths, each catering to different play styles, I can't give this game lower than a 10 in gameplay. If you feel like shooting things up, go right ahead, and you probably will succeed if you aren't careless. Disguising yourself is fun, and never really gets old, unless the enemy sees right through your disguise (which happens quite a bit if they see your face).

Overall Rating: 9/10

Very good game, but there is just something about it that makes it not deserve a 10. Personally, I think it is the very low replay value. Once you go through a mission, it feels kinda tedious (to me) to go back and do it for a Silent Assassin rating. The gameplay the first time through, however, is one that makes for a fairly memorable experience.

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