Hitman hd enhanced collection ps4 review

Agent 47 is pretty iconic when it comes to video game characters, to get where we are now with the recent releases he has definitely gone through some transition over the years. Warner Bros. would like to introduce some of that transition with their latest release. Hitman HD Enhanced Collection brings two of the most talked about entries in the series into the 4K generation. Hitman: Blood Money and Hitman Absolution are very different games, but both play a role in the experience we have now. Revisiting these games was definitely an interesting trip down memory lane.

For Xbox One owners this collection feels a little weird considering both 360 versions of the games are backwards compatible on the new console. So what incentive do they have to spend another $60? IO Interactive has done the work though. Bringing both games up to native 4K, adding HDR, and retooling the controls to make them feel more modern. Visually they both look great in-game. The cut scenes are still a blurry mess at times, but that is to be expected.

MSRP: $59.99

Platforms: XB1 [reviewed], PS4, PC Price I’d Pay: $39.99

Let’s start with Blood Money. This game is considered by most as one of the pinnacles of the franchise. Revisiting it I can definitely see the strides for the series. There are so many advancements in the mechanics and the levels are incredibly robust, giving players plenty of ways to cause chaos. Where this entry falls short is in the way it handles some of those mechanics. The controls are awkward at times. Coming off the recently released Hitman 2 I feel like I am tripping over simple things with the weird button layout. Also the voice acting and dialogue are downright hilarious at times, really breaking the serious tone of most of the game.

Next up is Absolution. While this is revered as the worst game in the series, I actually loved it. This is mostly due to the fact that they really modernized the controls. Things just worked like I expected. I also really enjoyed the dramatic story and the vocal performances are much better. This is the game where they implemented big name voice actors such as Powers Boothe, Vivica A. Fox, and Keith Carradine. The story is more serious and goes for that action movie plot. Sure it is big and dumb, but I enjoyed the heck out of it. Absolution was criticized for the stray from the Hitman formula, but it really solidified the intuitive controls.

So in essence Blood Money and Absolution is like watching the series find its footing. I feel like both games really paved the way for the extremely successful reboot of the series. Both seem to bring ideas into the newer games. It was neat to revisit these older games, but $60 for both without the option to purchase them separately feels a bit much. Toss in the fact that Xbox One owners could already own them, or purchase them for a fraction of the price has to be factored in.

Io Interactive’s been working on the Hitman series for 18 years now. With Hitman 2 hitting stores late last year, they’ve also used the uptake in interest to re-release two of the series’ older titles. The Hitman HD Enhanced Collection bundles together fan-favourite Hitman Blood Money with black sheep Hitman Absolution in an interesting, chalk and cheese combination.

Both games boast an improvement in resolution and sharpness. It’s noticeable when you stack them side-by-side with the Playstation 3 versions but the gap is a lot more negligible when compared with the PC versions available on Steam. The improved lighting seems a lot more prevalent within 2006’s Blood Money. It shows its age more when it comes to textures popping in. You’ll notice it more in New Orleans’ heavy crowd scenes and the opening vineyard level. It’s disheartening to see people and objects flicker into existence and reminds you that this game is over 12 years old.

Other than that, it’s an improvement but not dramatically different from previous releases. Both games boast a solid 60fps frame-rate and Absolution‘s more polished visuals hold up to a lot more scrutiny. Blood Money‘s levels can sometimes look a little flat but they make up for it in scale. How they play remains much the same as well. Improved controls have been touted in this package but, if it’s there, it’s subtle. Admittedly, I haven’t seen either game running in 4K.

As a Hitman fan, I might have expected something more, especially for the full price tag. I’d consider Blood Money a classic and the first time the series really hit its stride for me. The social stealth which is synonymous with the series is strongly represented and realised as you grab disguises and hide in plain sight. The scale and sheer moving parts can still impress as clockwork AI’s go about their business.

It’s been fun going back to those old haunts in new guises and sneaking into corners of the map I’ve rarely touched. The detection mechanics are consistent enough for you to learn where your limits are and there’s plenty of feedback when you head into hostile areas. It’s a game packed with some memorable locales and hits and you’ve got a lot of options for your approach. Io have since carried this to their recent Hitman games but I always felt Blood Money was where the formula was first executed really well. You’re left to your own devices to poke around and experiment with the environment and your weaponry and the game is quite happy to give you time to think.

In contrast, Absolution carries a lot more visual polish but feels like a much more guided, restrictive experience. Rather than a globe-trotting clip show, Absolution represents 47 as a fugitive. As such, the stealth on offer is a lot more conventional. You’re sneaking more behind cover and having to treat guards as real threats. Disguises still act as ways to access parts of the level but you’re always treated with suspicion. Feedback is still consistent and you’re usually aware of whose eyes are on you, but a new set of clothes is no longer a safety net.

It’s jarring in comparison to Blood Money‘s more freeing design. Absolution rarely lets you relax. The instinct vision mode that finds it’s way to today’s iterations, had an auspicious start here. You use it to find threats, point of interest and blend your way past opposition. It’s a limited resource but you can replenish it with sneaky actions. Falling foul of an empty instinct bar still feels at odds with what the series has done before and since. So you look to hide, crouch and break line of sight just to get by.

I still enjoy playing through Absolution‘s rollercoaster. It has some really great moments. They don’t last nearly as long but some become really intense as the police attempt to track you down. It feels like a game hampered by the Hitman name and reputation. Even when a more recognisable hit comes to fruition, they take place in arenas that lack the expansive qualities of the series. Your options seem limited and simplified and, one or two aside, they tend to disappoint.

It represents a tonal shift, too. The grindhouse aesthetic looks great visually but the writing sometimes appears crass and the villains often appear bumbling or just plain crazy. The high society interludes of the previous games disappear for a sleazy underbelly that just doesn’t let up. 47 is given more emotional motives and there’s more dark comic stings but, the plot and characters just don’t land for me. Not that plot’s been the series’ strong point.

Coming back to these two games has really reminded me of just what a pivotal time it was for the series. Blood Money perfected the ideas of what came before it but there was a sense, at the time, the series maybe appearing stale. Absolution felt like a response to that criticism with it’s more cinematic, claustrophobic presentation and locales. It sticks out so much more with the two recent games returning to the Blood Money blueprint.

Hitman HD Enhanced Collection

Summary

As a remaster, Hitman HD Enhanced Collection does deliver the best looking edition of these games to consoles but there's a sense the price is hard to justify. If either of these titles are missing from your Hitman collection, it's worth a look. I've had fun and found myself nostalgic re-examining these two titles. I can't deny it's a difficult package to recommend to veterans unless they really, really want to see a sharper image.

Is Hitman HD Collection worth it?

The clunky controls and dated graphics of Blood Money aren't improved enough to warrant a purchase and Absolution is missing its popular online Contracts mode. Nevertheless, these are still solid Hitman games so if you haven't played them yet, this compilation may be worth getting.

What does Hitman HD Enhanced Collection include?

Hitman HD Enhanced Collection is a HD remastering of Hitman: Absolution and Hitman: Blood Money for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Is Hitman HD Enhanced Collection worth it Reddit?

Controls are fine but the gameplay and levels are extremely boring. Don't waste your time with this or wait for a sale.

Is Hitman Absolution HD worth it?

It's an interesting buy for newcomers, but Hitman's veterans will notice that improved textures, resolution and frame rate don't have such a big impact on the game experience as a whole. There's no real reason to buy Hitman HD Enhanced Collection if you already own Blood Money and Absolution.