Hitman: Absolution

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 9,649 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Hitman: Absolution Game Cover
Hitman: Absolution takes a contract out on sneaking games and rightly retakes its claim on being the original assassin.
Starting at $1Buy now
Get on Xbox Games Store

Hitman: Absolution is a single-player shooter game with an interesting plot, masterful mechanics, and beautiful visuals. As the Original Assassin, players pursue redemption in a corrupt world, combining classic gameplay with new features using Glacier 2 technology. Offering a cinematic story, distinctive art direction, and high replayability, it's an emotional, atmospheric experience with humor and bugs, requiring patience through a grind.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,649 reviews
story1,313 positive mentions
stability54 negative mentions
  • story4,084 mentions

    The story of "Hitman: Absolution" is a significant departure from previous entries in the series, focusing on a more linear, narrative-driven experience rather than the open-ended sandbox gameplay that fans are accustomed to. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and character development, particularly regarding Agent 47's protective instincts towards a young girl named Victoria, many criticize the plot for being clichéd, predictable, and at times, absurd. Overall, the game offers a mix of engaging storytelling and varied mission approaches, but it often sacrifices the franchise's hallmark freedom for a more scripted experience.

    • “The story of Hitman: Absolution is engaging and well-written, taking players on a journey through a dark and dangerous world filled with corrupt officials and dangerous criminals.”
    • “The game's compelling story, varied environments, and innovative gameplay mechanics make it a standout title that is sure to provide hours of entertainment.”
    • “This game has an amazing story and amazing gameplay.”
    • “The story is laughably edgy, some of the visual effects are quite obnoxious, and most of the levels are insanely simple to the point of becoming boring in the second and third acts.”
    • “The story is filled with errors, doesn't go any deeper than an ice cube in a glass of whiskey and just feels completely trashy.”
    • “The story is very meh, I saw people saying it's like watching a bad Tarantino movie and after playing this I have to agree it has a lot of wannabe Tarantino style and plot.”
  • gameplay1,755 mentions

    The gameplay of "Hitman: Absolution" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its innovative mechanics like the "instinct" feature that allows players to see through walls and plan their approach strategically. However, some players criticize the game for its linear level design and the clunky disguise system, which detracts from the traditional open-ended gameplay of previous titles in the series. Overall, while the game offers engaging stealth and action elements, it may not fully satisfy fans of the classic Hitman formula.

    • “The gameplay is tight and satisfying, with a wide range of weapons and gadgets at your disposal and multiple ways to approach each mission.”
    • “The game's compelling story, varied environments, and innovative gameplay mechanics make it a standout title that is sure to provide hours of entertainment.”
    • “Its instinct feature adds strategy and planning to the gameplay.”
    • “Broken mechanics, puzzles where you need to guess 'what developers have on their mind' and many other issues are just time-consuming and irritating.”
    • “The game is riddled with baffling design decisions and boring gameplay.”
    • “The disguise system is pathetically bad, the checkpoint system is frustrating, and the linear gameplay detracts from the overall experience.”
  • graphics1,156 mentions

    The graphics of "Hitman: Absolution" have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers noting that they remain impressive even years after its release in 2012. Players appreciate the game's stunning visuals, detailed environments, and smooth performance, often highlighting the graphical fidelity as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While some critiques mention issues like excessive bloom and a somewhat dated aesthetic, the consensus is that the graphics are a significant strength of the game, contributing to its immersive atmosphere and cinematic feel.

    • “The game features stunning graphics and immersive gameplay that will keep you hooked for hours.”
    • “Hitman: Absolution is a stunning game with impressive graphics for its time, challenging gameplay, and a compelling story.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the missions are hugely varied, and the story is engaging.”
    • “The graphics feel a little bland.”
    • “The graphics were very distinctive and the game design was highly original.”
    • “The graphics, the story, the characters.”
  • replayability293 mentions

    The replayability of the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising its high replay value due to the numerous ways to complete missions and the inclusion of challenges and contracts mode, which encourage experimentation and mastery. However, some critics note that the linearity of certain levels and the shutdown of multiplayer features have diminished the overall replay potential compared to earlier titles in the series. Overall, while the game offers a variety of gameplay options, its replayability may not meet the expectations set by previous installments.

    • “It's a highly polished and well-crafted stealth game that offers endless replay value and a satisfyingly challenging experience.”
    • “The fact that Absolution is so capable of exciting you and keeping you interested for a long time goes hand-in-hand with its apparent focus on replayability – every mission has about a dozen unique objectives that you can complete if you so wish.”
    • “Great game with tons of replayability due to the sheer volume of ways you can complete missions.”
    • “Fun for a single playthrough, but the linearity and lack of replayability may turn off most from the game.”
    • “With very limited replay value and linear gameplay (compared to all other Hitman games), it's hard to want to play this again in 2021, especially with the new trilogy being out.”
    • “The levels themselves are good to run through once, but I found they lacked the replay value that I have come to love from this series.”
  • music165 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant drop in quality compared to previous entries, particularly due to the absence of composer Jesper Kyd. While some appreciate the atmospheric elements and fitting soundtracks for specific scenes, others criticize the music as generic and forgettable, lacking the memorable themes that characterized earlier titles. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as decent but not exceptional, failing to leave a lasting impression on players.

    • “The game also features top-notch voice acting and a fantastic soundtrack that complements the action on-screen perfectly.”
    • “The music adds to the atmosphere too, especially the hitman's sinister theme which is all too memorable.”
    • “The soundtrack works incredibly well, giving an almost Bond-esque ambiance without ever getting too loud.”
    • “The music is bad; it's so generic and average that you don't even realize there is music.”
    • “One could think that they are going to replace him with someone of similar caliber, but nah... most of the levels are completely lacking any music, excluding very bland ambients.”
    • “The soundtrack is poor and the developers should have used Jesper Kyd again.”
  • humor159 mentions

    The humor in "Hitman: Absolution" is a standout feature, blending dark comedy with absurdity through bizarre characters and inventive kill methods. Players appreciate the game's self-aware humor, hilarious dialogue, and the comedic potential of its gameplay mechanics, often finding themselves laughing at both the intentional jokes and the game's more campy elements. While some critiques mention that the humor can feel forced or juvenile at times, the overall consensus is that the game successfully delivers a fun and entertaining experience filled with memorable, funny moments.

    • “You'll encounter some bizarre and funny characters along the way, and the game isn't afraid to poke fun at itself.”
    • “The game has a great sense of humor.”
    • “The storyline can be lacking but that's not why you play it: you play it for the awesome stealth and funny ragdoll mechanics with the dead bodies.”
    • “Villains are hilariously cringey and not professional except for the agency guy.”
    • “NPC speech trying so hard to be edgy... constant tiresome unfunny jokes - GTA has a lot to answer for.”
    • “You wonder if one of the principal writers had recently gone through a messy divorce, so toxic is the game's treatment of women.”
  • optimization88 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game receives mixed reviews. Many players appreciate its ability to run smoothly on low-end PCs and laptops, with some reporting no performance issues even on older hardware. However, there are notable complaints about performance drops in larger environments, audio issues with surround sound setups, and inconsistent experiences on certain graphics cards, indicating that while the game is generally well-optimized, it may not perform equally well across all systems.

    • “This game is loaded with content, it looks beautiful, and it's perfectly optimized.”
    • “I love how this is optimized for low-end PCs and even Mac.”
    • “The game runs smoothly for the great graphics and visuals it has, is well optimized, the rendering is perfect, and to be honest I don't have anything to complain about.”
    • “Issues/optimization: notable audio issues when using a speaker setup with surround sound and the only workaround is to use a pair of headphones/headsets.”
    • “Another gripe would be performance; the game drops considerable frames in larger and more detailed environments on hardware that should be plenty more than enough to accommodate this game's visuals.”
    • “It's poorly optimized, and contracts mode has been broken for months, after a patch.”
  • atmosphere88 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, immersive qualities, enhanced by impressive graphics, a fitting soundtrack, and detailed environments. Many players appreciate the unique vibe it creates, which, while sometimes diverging from the traditional Hitman feel, contributes to an engaging experience. However, some critiques highlight inconsistencies in the atmosphere, with certain elements feeling out of place or lacking depth compared to earlier titles in the series.

    • “Fantastic atmosphere, very interesting storyline overall, with an eye for details and a few quite unexpected turns of events.”
    • “The atmosphere, the music, and the game mechanics were incredible.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game is dusky and eerie, which is the best part of this game.”
    • “Absolution has general improvements to 'the feel' of combat and it looks pretty, but almost everything else, from the atmosphere to the soundtrack to the narrative has been compromised.”
    • “The new direction and tone is confused, and completely contradicts the atmosphere of the older games.”
  • stability63 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including freezing, crashes, and AI issues. While some users noted that the game runs well on various systems and praised its graphics, others experienced significant stability problems, particularly with the checkpoint system and character controls. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable mechanics and a solid story, its stability issues detract from the overall experience for many players.

    • “The game runs great at 60fps and I had no problems at all with the performance.”
    • “This game is very well optimized, runs great on my system with max settings.”
    • “This is a polished game, nice graphics and controls with a good PC port that runs great.”
    • “Since I never played Codename 47 when I was a kid and was therefore deprived of the privilege to wear the nostalgia-tinted glasses, I saw it for what it was – a clunky, buggy mess with very few redeeming qualities.”
    • “Much as I like Hitman and enjoy this game, I'm surprised that it still is so buggy and crashes every time I get in the elevator on the first level.”
    • “Game is horribly buggy -- after a while I just got fed up and stopped playing it.”
  • grinding52 mentions

    Reviews highlight that grinding in the game is often tedious and frustrating, with many players feeling that the missions lack depth and variety, leading to a monotonous experience. Stealth mechanics become increasingly burdensome, and the need to complete challenges for higher scores can feel like a chore rather than an engaging aspect of gameplay. Overall, the grinding elements detract from the enjoyment, making the game feel linear and repetitive.

    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “A bit grindy.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The missions are tedious, small, and on the few occasions that you are killing people (and not running/hiding), it's either unsatisfying or ruined with a cutscene.”
    • “It's bad, tedious, and frustratingly linear.”
  • emotional46 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Hitman: Absolution" is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the game's attempt to provide a touching narrative and character development for Agent 47, while others criticize it for being overly dramatic and straying from the series' roots. Many reviewers noted that the story, despite its linearity and clichés, offers engaging moments that resonate emotionally, though some felt it conflicted with the game's core mechanics and tone. Overall, while the emotional depth is acknowledged, it is often seen as inconsistent with the gameplay experience.

    • “The gameplay is fun and the story is very touching.”
    • “Hitman: Absolution takes Agent 47 to a rarely high level, matching creative assassination missions with an emotionally resonant story.”
    • “What this game manages to do, apart from rehashing the amazing series that Hitman has come to be, is breathe heartwarming soul into a stone-cold killer, and to give us some of the most cinematic and AAA+ gaming moments ever achieved.”
    • “A very scripted game with linear levels and a very boring storyline.”
    • “They removed the best things that make a Hitman game a Hitman game and turned it into a linear, frustrating experience with no saves and a boring story that is just trying too hard.”
    • “Instead, we were 'gifted' with an uninspiring and boring story filled with low-quality drama, and with a cartoonish cowboy as an antagonist.”
  • character development10 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some reviews highlight improvements in the protagonist 47's development and a richer plot, others criticize the lack of depth in relationships and the overall character arcs, particularly noting that secondary characters often overshadow the main ones. The game features good character design and immersive storytelling, but many players feel that the character development is still lacking, with flat villains and missed opportunities for deeper connections.

    • “Completing and fulfilling the missions, objectives, items, and tasks raises your score and unlocks special abilities for your character, 47, to enhance his playing style in future missions. The storylines and character development are rich and complex, with excellent graphics and phenomenal gameplay overall.”
    • “The progression, some twists, and a clearer sense of plot contribute to decent character development.”
    • “There are, in fact, things this game does better than its predecessors: better character development of 47, better plot development in general, not as buggy, and a more clear and defined system for being detected/not detected by guards, along with better and cooler animations fitting of a trained killer.”
    • “However, there's no character development or relationship between 47 and Victoria.”
    • “Not much character development.”
    • “Story, however, suffers a bit; character development is lacking, and villain characters are fairly flat and forgettable.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    Reviewers express disappointment with the monetization strategies of newer games, perceiving them as cash grabs that lack creativity and depth. While some flexibility in gameplay is noted, it often falls short of the expectations set by marketing, leading to a sense of disillusionment among dedicated fans.

    • “The newer games I will not purchase, not because of the pie method being done to them as a whole, but simply because of the cheap cash grab and lack of creative writing that could have expanded and given more life to a dying genre in future games, by refreshing an old genre with a newer type of storytelling mixed with RPG elements.”
    • “Sure, there's some real flexibility to how you complete a mission in some cases, but it's not really as in-depth as the advertisement makes it out to be.”
    • “Being a hitman purist, I thought this game was going to suck due to the advertising and Eidos's track record for taking a dump on generally solid and technical games.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Hitman: Absolution

Play time

17hMedian play time
25hAverage play time
12hMain story
37hCompletionist
8-36hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News