Read the full review here: http://www.gamegrin.com/game/review/ps3/hitman-hd-trilogy-ps3-review
I was quite giddy when I realised I would be covering what was essentially a collection of some of my favorite games of last generation. In my head, they were still as brilliant as I remembered them, and on a pure gameplay level I was sure they would impress, especially after Hitman: Absolution didn’t live up to my expectations.
Returning to the sandboxes of the franchise’s roots should provide the perfect antidote to combat the newest entry’s restrictive narrative… shouldn’t it?
I decided to start from my first experience with the Hitman franchise, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin. When I booted it up, it was just as I remembered. The layout of the Sicilian church containing Agent 47′s armoury and training ground was burned into my temporal lobe. A hub area, where you can see your collection of weapons as you accumulate them. I misspent many an hour in my youth, hopping in and out of missions, trying to fill my weapon shed. This time though, I decided to proceed with the first objective.
First, I created my own objective: assassinate the scarecrow.
I tiptoed up to it with ease, and cleanly sliced its throat with a kitchen knife. That’ll stop you eyeballing me, I thought, as its dead-eyed gaze continued to follow my every move.
Next, I armed 47 with his signature weapon, the Silverballers.
I crouch walked (painfully slowly) towards my target, being careful to not get spotted. I spied at it, through a keyhole, waiting for my perfect chance to strike.
I shot the bucket.
I remember how satisfying that ‘ping’ was, the first time around. Alas, the simple physics and material specific impact noises are something that we take for granted now. The bucket just wasn’t as amazing as it once was.
At least, after my strenuous training session, I felt I was ready for my first contract.
Well, I wasn’t. Nothing can prepare you for how wrinkled and withered the game has become with age. No amount of HD lotion can reduce the crags in its systems and the game is a frustrating mess, with its ambitions outweighing its capabilities.
Read the full review here: http://www.gamegrin.com/game/review/ps3/hitman-hd-trilogy-ps3-review