Just 2 years after Codename 47, IO interactive released Hitman 2: Silent Assassin - capitalizing on the success the first game was despite it's mixed to above average critical reception, there was clearly promise in the franchise.
Silent Assassin saw improvements in every single aspect compared to it's predecessor, the level design was much better, the animations and visuals popped a lot more, qualiy of life was given to the map and general feel of the gunplay was improved a lot.
While Silent Assassin does have a few stinker missions, namely the ones in the snow mountains of Japan like Hidden Valley and At the Gates, the vast majority of the missions are designed in a similar vein to Thermal Bath Hotel from Codename 47, which was by far the best mission there.
Every single mission is something you can tackle in complete stealth, you're no longer forced to go guns blazing in specific segments, the game also introduces a nuanced ranking system with various labels depending on your playstyle and performance ranging from :
Mass Murderer - killing everyone and everything you see to Silent Assassin - Unseen, efficient with no wasted kills or gunshots.
The only real gripe I have with Silent Assassin is the unpredictable AI, it works fine for most of the time but it can get frustrating when they see you from the back of their head or immediately open fire because you jogged for 1 second.
The suspicion system is not as consistent as future entries, sometimes they just decide to open fire as you're passing by, sometimes they dont. Granted, the less you linger around them, the less likely they are to notice you but it does make close encounters frustrating at times, while working in favor of the game at others like in Tubeway Torpedo where you constantly have to walk past other guards in extremely tight corridors, giving the mission a kind of tension you won't really be able to get in any other Stealth franchise except Hitman.
As for the soundtrack, it's amazing as usual. Jesper Kyd like always delivers top notch compositions that enhance the experience and give Hitman it's unique atmosphere and mood it's known for.
There is a bit of a tonal shift compared to the first game's soundtrack, Silent Assassin has a more impactful and orchestral sound whereas Codename 47 had a more moody and subdued sound.
Overall, it's a fantastic sequel, improving upon every single aspect of the first game and putting the Hitman franchise on the map, still remaining the best selling entry in the franchise - maybe except the new Hitman 3 for which we don't have definitive figures yet.
Silent Assassin saw improvements in every single aspect compared to it's predecessor, the level design was much better, the animations and visuals popped a lot more, qualiy of life was given to the map and general feel of the gunplay was improved a lot.
While Silent Assassin does have a few stinker missions, namely the ones in the snow mountains of Japan like Hidden Valley and At the Gates, the vast majority of the missions are designed in a similar vein to Thermal Bath Hotel from Codename 47, which was by far the best mission there.
Every single mission is something you can tackle in complete stealth, you're no longer forced to go guns blazing in specific segments, the game also introduces a nuanced ranking system with various labels depending on your playstyle and performance ranging from :
Mass Murderer - killing everyone and everything you see to Silent Assassin - Unseen, efficient with no wasted kills or gunshots.
The only real gripe I have with Silent Assassin is the unpredictable AI, it works fine for most of the time but it can get frustrating when they see you from the back of their head or immediately open fire because you jogged for 1 second.
The suspicion system is not as consistent as future entries, sometimes they just decide to open fire as you're passing by, sometimes they dont. Granted, the less you linger around them, the less likely they are to notice you but it does make close encounters frustrating at times, while working in favor of the game at others like in Tubeway Torpedo where you constantly have to walk past other guards in extremely tight corridors, giving the mission a kind of tension you won't really be able to get in any other Stealth franchise except Hitman.
As for the soundtrack, it's amazing as usual. Jesper Kyd like always delivers top notch compositions that enhance the experience and give Hitman it's unique atmosphere and mood it's known for.
There is a bit of a tonal shift compared to the first game's soundtrack, Silent Assassin has a more impactful and orchestral sound whereas Codename 47 had a more moody and subdued sound.
Overall, it's a fantastic sequel, improving upon every single aspect of the first game and putting the Hitman franchise on the map, still remaining the best selling entry in the franchise - maybe except the new Hitman 3 for which we don't have definitive figures yet.