Hitman GO: Definitive Edition Review (PC)

The Hitman series has been around for a very long time, as generations of gamers have fond memories of Agent 47 and his varied adventures. Unfortunately, in recent times, the series has gone through some less than glamorous installments, as developer IO Interactive hasn’t managed to recreate the success of the older titles.

While the main studio is busy with the upcoming reboot titled simply Hitman, Square Enix’s Montreal team brought forth a few years ago Hitman GO, a mobile-only experience that reimagined the franchise as a diorama-style turn-based experience that rewarded puzzle-solving skills, patience, and careful study of the people surrounding Agent 47.

Now, after becoming very popular across the iOS and Android platforms, Square Enix Montreal brings forth Hitman GO: Definitive Edition on the PC, as well as on PS4 and PS Vita. With better visuals, a slightly tuned hint system, as well as support for the new control inputs, it certainly looks like a strong experience that should entertain fans before the new, proper Hitman game appears in a few weeks. Does it manage to make a lasting impression or should you just keep on waiting for the next title with your favorite bald assassin? Let’s find out.

Gameplay

Hitman GO: Definitive Edition doesn’t try to deliver any sort of meaningful story, as it’s just a collection of different stages in which Agent 47 must either escape capture or assassinate his target. This is largely for the better, as you aren’t thrown into a convoluted plot built just to excuse the different levels. Instead, you approach them as a real contract assassin.

The actual gameplay may seem pretty simple at first glance, but the puzzles and challenges presented by the game are deceptively complex. You guide an Agent 47 statue across a grid that’s filled with civilians, guards, dogs, and other such things. You need to reach the exit but also complete various secondary objectives.

When you move the assassin, most of the other parts also move, meaning you need to take into account how the board changes with every move. When a guard and Agent 47 move onto the same spot, he’s detected, and you must restart the whole thing. This can get a bit aggravating towards the later stages of the game as you need to recreate a lot of movements before you reach the point in which you did something wrong. The loading screens are also a bit tedious, so try to refrain from making mistakes.

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While there’s always a preferred way of completing a level, some situations do have multiple solutions, so you can try to think outside the box and come up with ingenious solutions. However, if you want to complete all the secondary objectives and earn the maximum number of Hitman coins, which can then be used to unlock new levels, there’s usually just one single course of action.

Even if the Hitman Coins are still present in the game, the hint system is no longer limited via in-game currency or microtransactions. As such, you can rely on the suggestions when things get too difficult as they’re quite comprehensive. However, if you do choose to get a walkthrough of a stage, you can no longer get the Silent Assassin achievement. You can reset your progress to try and get it afterward.

Visuals and sound

Hitman GO: Definitive Edition brings a bit more quality to the dioramas and figurines seen in the original mobile game. While it may not be to everyone’s liking, the unique style is quite striking and makes the whole experience stand out from all the other puzzle games out there. The effects, while not that big in scope, are also well done.

The soundtrack is pretty good but doesn’t interfere that much with the actual action, providing a balanced background so that you can hear your thoughts. As a special touch, during the actual assassination stages, you hear the classic "Ave Maria" song.

The Good

The Bad

Conclusion