I COULD KILL YOU. (Hitman - Codename 47 (PC))

Member Name: elspeth334

Product:	Hitman - Codename 47 (PC)
Date:	13/02/02 (217 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great Graphics

Disadvantages: Addictive

We have all seen the likes of Tomb Raid in which Lara Croft runs around shooting pretty much anything that moves in order to complete her mission. It is also a fun game that kids would like to play. Hitman: Codename 47 however is a thoroughly more sinister affair.

The name sums up basically what the game is about. You are a hitman who was created in a lab as a prototype clone. You then control him as he plans and carries out ‘hits’ on several high power figures. He is actually being manipulated in order to wipe out all the traces of the cloning experiment being carried out. As the game progresses you being to realise that he is the next target.

The story is pretty good in my opinion and the gaming of each level even better. Granted that it is dark, sinister and could be classed as controversial content but it makes for great game play. The hitman is free to walk around vast 3D environments where he can plan how to assassinate the target and make his getaway. At the start of each level you get a detailed file documenting the target and then it allows you to choose the weapons to do the job. Unlike other games it isn’t a shoot ‘em up. A hitman is meant to be discrete and so the objective is to wipe out the targets and cause as little disturbance as possible. This means you have to think and sometimes the levels are very difficult.

The detail of the characters and environments are incredible. The characters are all dressed appropriately for the circumstances as well as acting in an extremely lifelike way. They talk and actually say things that are appropriate to the situation that they are faced with. When you shoot them they react according to where you shoot them and depending on where you shoot determines how many shots kill them. This is incredible AI however you look at it. Your hitman can interact with these characters by killing, dragging bodies and taking their clothes and weapons. You can pose as other peop
le by taking their clothes and holding their weapon. The environments are very sharp and detailed. The colours are bright and shadows are realistic. You can also interact with the environment by using elevators and opening doors. The real detail comes in when you brush against flags hanging from roofs. They flap according to how you touched them. Likewise with plants, the leaves mores and rustle when touched. My personal favourite detail is when you shoot a fish tank and you see the water and fish pour out. The fish then wriggle about on the floor.

The amount of weapons that are available for use is startling. This may not amaze you but when you kill people with different weapons they react differently. You can use close combat weapons, semi-automatic handguns, automatic rifles, machine guns, pump action shotguns and sniper rifles. Characters will react differently to being shot with different weapons, which is amazing detail that really makes a difference when you are playing the game.

So what type of system will it take to runs such an amazing game. Surprisingly it will run on relatively low specification systems by today’s standards. Here is the system requirements: PII 233; Windows 95/98; DX7.0a; 64 MB RAM; 400 MB HD space; 4 MB SVGA card; 6 MB D3D accelerator; 8X CD-ROM; 100% DX7 compatible; soundcard; mouse.

Overall this is am incredible with great sound, graphics, characters and missions. It is a new generation of thinking action game where you can’t just shoot everything. If you can get over the risky ideas contained at its core then I would recommend that you give this one a look. It is one of the best games I have seen for a while and at £15 in certain retailers it’s a steal. Give it a go.

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