HITMAN 2

HITMAN 2 is a stealth game by IO Interactive in which Agent 47 eliminates targets worldwide. The large locations can be explored freely. Instead of a prescribed solution, you choose between disguises, quiet approaches, staged accidents and open confrontations.

HITMAN 2 was released on Nov 13, 2018 for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Unlike its episodic predecessor, the game was released directly with its connected main campaign.

HITMAN 2 launched natively for Windows PC, PS4 and Xbox One. On newer PlayStation and Xbox consoles, the respective older console version can be played via backward compatibility. That does not make it a standalone PS5 or Xbox Series version.

Each mission begins with information about the targets and their whereabouts. You observe daily routines, explore restricted areas and use objects from the surroundings. Many actions change how characters react, opening up new possibilities.

Additional content expanded HITMAN 2 with, among others, the New York bank complex and the tropical island Haven Island. These missions are not among the six original main locations. Some of the expansions are now available through the Deluxe content of HITMAN World of Assassination.

For the original PC version, Steam lists at least an Intel Core i5-2500K or AMD Phenom II X4 940, 8 GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 660 or Radeon HD 7870 and 60 GB storage space. The recommended setup includes 16 GB RAM and a GeForce GTX 1070 or Radeon RX Vega 56, among other things.

Agent 47 follows the trail of the Shadow Client with Diana Burnwood. The assignments lead from a remote coast to a racing event, into densely populated cities and finally to a closed-off society. Clues about 47's past connect the individual missions.

The original campaign takes you to Hawke’s Bay, Miami, Santa Fortuna, Mumbai, Whittleton Creek and the Isle of Sgàil. Each location has its own security zones, access points, social rules and movement patterns. That makes the environment itself the most important tool.

By wearing the clothing of other characters, Agent 47 gains access to areas that are closed to outsiders. Not every disguise works on everyone. Some guards and staff recognize a stranger as an outsider, so you have to move carefully despite suitable clothing.

Guided mission stories highlight special opportunities: an appointment, a technical fault or a role Agent 47 can take on. They hint at possible plans without prescribing a specific approach. Fully self-developed strategies also work.

Before a mission, you put together the equipment you carry. Often more important than firepower are inconspicuous tools, distractions, locks and hiding spots. Items found on site can completely change an original plan.

Every location invites multiple runs. Additional challenges reward different approaches and discovering special elimination options. Knowing the location makes new starting points, routes and equipment options especially valuable.

Guards react to trespassing, suspicious actions and openly carried weapons. If you use routes, lines of sight and the right timing, you can reach most targets without raising a major alarm. If actions are noticed, the situation changes within the mission.

Sniper Assassin shifts the action to distant targets. Instead of moving through the environment yourself, you plan precise shots and try to control an entire situation from a fixed position. The mode was also introduced with a co-op variant.

HITMAN 2 introduced Ghost Mode, a direct competition between two assassins pursuing their targets in parallel. The mode was part of the original online features and is not a permanently available feature. Sniper Assassin and the campaign differ from it in structure.

The standalone digital edition of HITMAN 2 is no longer sold as a regular release. The missions of the second part have been merged into HITMAN World of Assassination. Anyone who already owns an earlier edition can continue to use it regardless.

The main campaign is structured as a single-player experience. Sniper Assassin adds a special sniper challenge which originally also supported playing together. The individual modes should not be confused with a continuous co-op mode for the entire story.