Hitman: Blood Money

About

Hitman: Blood Money is a stealth action game where you play as Agent 47, a skilled assassin. Complete contracts to eliminate targets in various locations, using disguises, weapons, and stealth to avoid detection. As you progress, you'll earn money that can be used to upgrade your equipment and abilities, while a reputation system tracks your notoriety in the criminal underworld. Your actions and choices impact the story and outcome of each mission.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,800 reviews

story518 positive mentions

stability64 negative mentions

story
1,991 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
71%
3%
The story in "Hitman: Blood Money" is engaging yet not overly complex, serving primarily to connect the various assassination missions. Players appreciate the dark and immersive narrative, which unfolds through cutscenes and newspaper articles summarizing their actions after each mission, adding depth to the gameplay experience. While the plot may not be the main draw, it effectively enhances the overall atmosphere and provides context for Agent 47's assignments, making it a memorable part of the game.
- “Finally, I would like to add that to this day I am still fascinated by some small details (example: newspaper with news at the end of the mission) that are not of crucial importance for the game's admixture itself, but also how they contribute to the whole experience.”
- “The story was top-notch, the atmosphere was top-notch, the locations were top-notch, everything was just really well done.”
- “The change in the main menu in accordance with the story being told through the extremely captivating cutscenes before each mission and the way it ties into the incredible climax and plot twist at the end of the game was very fun to watch.”
- “There isn’t much of a story here, as usual in the Hitman series, some nonsense about a rival assassin agency cornering the market on cloning and a conspiracy to kill the president.”
- “The story is barely a story. It's supposed to provide some connective tissue between the missions, but in the end, I don't buy it.”
- “The story isn't much to write home about, but it does a decent job stringing the levels together into a larger context.”
gameplay
789 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
56%
4%
The gameplay of *Hitman: Blood Money* is widely praised for its innovative mechanics, allowing for multiple approaches to missions and a high degree of player freedom. While some reviews note that the controls can feel clunky and the graphics are dated, the overall experience is described as engaging and immersive, with a rich level design that encourages experimentation. The game is considered a standout in the series, combining strategic stealth gameplay with a compelling narrative and memorable missions, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
- “Hitman: Blood Money's combination of strategic gameplay, memorable missions, an evocative soundtrack, and a dark, immersive atmosphere make it a standout in the series.”
- “The gameplay is highly replayable, with diverse mission approaches, upgrade and weapon customization features, and a notoriety system that tracks Agent 47's visibility and behavior.”
- “Hitman: Blood Money elevates the franchise to new heights with its innovative gameplay and intricate level design.”
- “The gameplay is dated, but the story and game are great, worth playing any of the Hitman series.”
- “The game isn't fun, and the mechanics feel clunky.”
- “I love playing old games, but the constant game-breaking bugs, jankiness, and unrefined gameplay made this a struggle to play.”
graphics
492 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
57%
9%
The graphics of "Hitman: Blood Money," released in 2006, are generally considered dated but still hold up reasonably well for their time, showcasing significant improvements over its predecessors. While some players note that the visuals can appear rough and clunky by modern standards, many appreciate the unique art style and atmospheric design that contribute to the game's immersive experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as acceptable for an older title, with some players expressing a desire for a remaster to enhance the visual quality further.
- “The interplay of shadowy visuals, morally ambiguous settings, and NPC interactions creates a gritty and foreboding mood, drawing players deeper into the morally complex world of Agent 47.”
- “The graphics, even though it's an older game, hold up surprisingly well and the attention to detail is impressive.”
- “The updated Glacier engine enhances the game's visuals and immersion.”
- “The graphics are outdated, the gameplay is a bit clunky, the shooting can be weird.”
- “The graphics did not age well.”
- “The graphics are very dated, though this does nothing to really hurt the game itself.”
music
305 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The music in "Hitman: Blood Money," composed by Jesper Kyd, is widely praised for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's blend of orchestral, electronic, and ambient elements, which adapt dynamically to gameplay, creating an immersive experience that complements the dark narrative. Iconic tracks, such as "Ave Maria," are noted for their emotional impact, making the soundtrack a standout feature of the game and a significant contributor to its overall success.
- “The music, composed by Jesper Kyd, is a key highlight.”
- “Hitman: Blood Money boasts a remarkable soundtrack, composed by Jesper Kyd, which seamlessly blends classical, instrumental, electronic, and ambient genres to complement each mission's themes and adapt to the player's actions.”
- “The combination of stellar sound design and a gripping musical score immerses players in the world of Hitman, heightening the overall gaming experience.”
- “The soundtrack is quite mediocre, too.”
- “The main menu music is a too loud and jarring version of Ave Maria and it’s god awful, overly cheesy and highly irritating to be constantly met with.”
- “For the most part you wouldn't want to hear any music, because it only starts when enemies/police get suspicious on your tail.”
replayability
270 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
44%
1%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players praising its open-ended design that allows for numerous approaches to each mission. The variety of strategies, coupled with a scoring system that encourages experimentation, ensures that players can enjoy the game for countless hours, making it a standout title in the stealth genre. Despite some minor criticisms regarding linearity in a few levels, the overall consensus is that the game offers near-infinite replay value, solidifying its status as a classic.
- “The concept of multiple mission approaches became a fundamental gameplay element, providing high freedom and replayability.”
- “The gameplay is highly replayable, with diverse mission approaches, upgrade and weapon customization features, and a notoriety system that tracks Agent 47's visibility and behavior.”
- “There are so many ways to complete missions that the replayability of this game is basically endless.”
- “The new games don't even allow you to customize your weapons, reducing the replay value (as if there was 'play' value to begin with), and making the game feel like something you want to hurry up and finish so you can go do laundry.”
- “At least for me, the game stops being replayable after you've already done the butcher and sneaky path on every mission.”
- “Some of the levels have a lot of replay value, while others are just frustrating to revisit.”
humor
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Hitman: Blood Money" is characterized by its dark, ironic, and slapstick elements, with players enjoying the absurdity of the game's mechanics and NPC interactions. Many reviews highlight the hilarious ways to eliminate targets, the amusing ragdoll physics, and the quirky dialogue, which contribute to a fun and entertaining experience. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to blend humor with stealth gameplay, making it a memorable and enjoyable title.
- “With the new accidental death system, you can dispatch your targets in clever and often very funny ways.”
- “The broken physics and ragdoll make for a funny enjoyable experience!”
- “The situations this game creates are always tense, but often hilarious.”
atmosphere
99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The atmosphere in "Hitman: Blood Money" is widely praised for its dark, immersive quality, enhanced by a masterful soundtrack from Jesper Kyd that complements the game's various settings and emotional tones. Players appreciate the meticulously crafted environments and unique level designs, which contribute to a sense of tension and engagement throughout the gameplay. Despite some criticisms regarding outdated graphics and gameplay mechanics, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature, making it a memorable experience in the stealth genre.
- “Hitman: Blood Money's combination of strategic gameplay, memorable missions, an evocative soundtrack, and a dark, immersive atmosphere make it a standout in the series.”
- “The atmosphere, locations, and soundtrack are unmatched.”
- “The unique atmosphere and environment of every specific mission will have an indirect role of influence on how you will conduct your 'hit', thus rewarding you with a memorable experience.”
- “The early-2000s tone and atmosphere are really off-putting to me, though this is definitely a subjective nitpick.”
- “Some of the levels are too easy or too linear, and lack the atmosphere and challenge of the previous game.”
- “I do miss the brooding atmosphere of Hitman: Contracts, but the farcical tone can be a lot of fun here.”
stability
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay and lead to lost progress. While some users experienced only minor issues, others faced game-breaking problems, particularly in early missions, indicating a lack of polish and stability overall. Despite these technical flaws, a few players found enjoyment in the game's quirks, suggesting that the experience can still be entertaining for those willing to overlook the instability.
- “Runs great on newer hardware too.”
- “However, the game freezes after every couple of loads, which requires me to force close the game, clearing all progress for that level and wiping out all your saves.”
- “The game freezes and crashes after the intro/tutorial mission, and nothing has solved the problem.”
- “There are too many glitches in this game.”
optimization
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
57%
11%
The optimization of "Hitman: Blood Money" receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance on various systems, including lower-end PCs, while others report significant performance issues and stuttering. Although the game is generally well-optimized for its age, with decent graphics and a unique performance evaluation system, some users experienced bugs and inconsistencies across different platforms. Overall, while many enjoy the game despite its technical flaws, there is a consensus that it could benefit from modern updates to enhance its performance further.
- “The ranking system in Hitman: Blood Money is sophisticated, integrating criteria like performance, stealth, and accuracy.”
- “One of the best Hitman games, runs smoothly unlike Silent Assassin and Contracts.”
- “I encountered no major bugs or performance issues; this game is stunningly well optimized, showing 90%+ GPU usage (4070) during gameplay at 4K.”
- “Now, we have the new trilogy, but it just feels optimized to try to keep you playing infinitely. You have contracts, freelancer, escalation, etc. If you really love it, you'd play it 3-4 times tops and put it down for a few years, and I think that's perfectly okay.”
- “However, I'm still experiencing crazy performance issues.”
- “The only problem with Blood Money was some poor optimization.”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
63%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time to progress. While some appreciate the unique environments and controls, many express frustration with the slow pace, limited save options, and repetitive mechanics that detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Everything is tedious, right down to the default control system, but it feels like it takes forever to do even the simplest act.”
- “Most of the mechanics in the older games are very tedious and mundane, making levels slow and boring and limiting the player in their options and creativity.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
20%
The emotional aspect of the game is significantly enhanced by its powerful musical score, which elevates key moments and immerses players in the narrative. While some entries in the series, like "Absolution," focus on a more linear and emotional storyline, others, such as "Blood Money," emphasize gameplay mechanics over narrative depth, presenting Agent 47 as a morally neutral character. Overall, players experience a range of emotions, from nostalgia to a sense of accomplishment, as they engage with the game's themes and mechanics.
- “Iconic tracks like 'Ave Maria' during pivotal moments add emotional weight, while dynamic music shifts during gameplay adapt to your actions, enhancing immersion.”
- “The music not only enhances the overall atmosphere but also elevates the emotional impact of key moments in the game.”
- “Absolution was a linear game with roughly one outcome to each level; but what made up for that was the beautiful, emotional storyline which took a place in my heart.”
- “The story was incredibly boring and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
- “I found the narrative to be dull, lacking the depth needed to connect with the characters emotionally.”
- “Despite its attempts, the game did not manage to engage me on an emotional level; it felt flat and uninspired.”
monetization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
22%
56%
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its straightforward pricing model, with no microtransactions, DLCs, or forced online modes, making it a refreshing contrast to modern titles that often rely on cash grabs. Players appreciate the nostalgic value and completeness of the game for a low price, highlighting it as a classic experience free from the pitfalls of contemporary monetization practices.
- “No microtransactions, you pay 10 dollars and get a full game, no forced online mode, no DRM Denuvo. This is the last Hitman game that has all the pros and none of the cons.”
- “This game was out at a time where you had no such thing as DLCs, season passes, or microtransactions.”
- “This seems to have been put on Steam as a nostalgia gouge, or just a cash grab to try to profit from abandonware.”
- “Back when Hitman was a great game and not a semi-annual re-skin cash grab.”
- “Highly recommend if you want to play Hitman before they got greedy with microtransactions and lazy with their map layouts.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is largely criticized, with players noting that the protagonist feels one-dimensional and lacks depth. The voice acting and dialogue are also seen as inconsistent, contributing to a sense of minimal character growth throughout the experience. While there is some intrigue present, it does not compensate for the overall lack of development.
- “The only issue I have is character development - 47 is at his most quiet and two-dimensional in this one.”
- “Voice acting is extremely hit or miss; the dialogue is wooden and character development is virtually non-existent.”
- “There isn't much in the way of character development, but there's a lot of intrigue; that's for sure.”