Hitman: Codename 47

About

Hitman: Codename 47 is a single player action game. It was developed by IO Interactive A/S and was released on March 15, 2007. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In Hitman: Codename 47, players assume the role of an elite assassin, known only as Agent 47, as they carry out contract kills for various clients. The game features a unique blend of stealth and action gameplay, allowing players to choose their approach to each mission. With a variety of weapons and tools at their disposal, players must navigate heavily guarded facilities and eliminate their targets with precision and creativity.

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,826 reviews

story292 positive mentions

stability122 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and challenging stealth experience that requires careful planning and execution.
The soundtrack composed by Jesper Kyd is excellent and enhances the atmosphere of the game.
As the first entry in the Hitman series, it provides valuable backstory for Agent 47 and sets the foundation for future titles.

The controls are clunky and outdated, making gameplay frustrating at times.
There is no save system during missions, forcing players to restart levels from the beginning if they fail.
The AI can be inconsistent, with enemies sometimes detecting the player for no apparent reason, leading to unfair deaths.

story
1,722 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
76%
7%
The story of *Hitman: Codename 47* serves as an origin tale for Agent 47, a genetically engineered assassin, and unfolds through a series of missions across various global locations. While the narrative is engaging and features intriguing twists, it is often delivered in a fragmented manner, relying heavily on mission briefings and environmental clues, which can lead to confusion. Despite its flaws, the story provides a compelling backdrop for the gameplay, making it a worthwhile experience for those interested in the franchise's lore, though many recommend starting with later titles for a more polished experience.
- “The story is really interesting and captivating, detailing the secret origin of agent 47, our favorite silent assassin.”
- “The main strengths of this game are the story and the atmosphere.”
- “The story was very good and the game was really enjoyable for me.”
- “The game was frustrating for me due to no save mechanism; if you fail the mission, you have to do the whole scenario again, and some of them are long and you have to run a lot.”
- “The lack of a save function in-game, combined with the trial and error approach to missions means you are guaranteed to be restarting entire levels numerous times before making the hit.”
- “The plot isn't much to talk about for the first number of missions, but 47's background is worked around with cut scenes in between missions and the last few missions where 47 finally involves himself with his creation.”
gameplay
516 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
70%
13%
The gameplay of *Hitman: Codename 47* is characterized by its innovative stealth mechanics and strategic planning, laying the groundwork for the franchise. However, it suffers from clunky controls, inconsistent AI, and a frustrating trial-and-error approach that can lead to repetitive gameplay experiences. While some players appreciate its nostalgic charm and the challenge it presents, many criticize its outdated mechanics and lack of polish, making it less appealing compared to modern titles in the series.
- “The gameplay premise of Hitman: Codename 47 is intriguing, emphasizing the importance of executing and escaping tasks with minimal attention and maximum effect, which is central to the stealth gameplay for the sequel.”
- “The game's unique approach to stealth gameplay, requiring players to find ways to stealthily reach and eliminate each target, has been praised by critics.”
- “Hitman: Codename 47 lays the foundation for the iconic stealth franchise with its innovative gameplay and intricate level design.”
- “I have to go through the same section 50 times just to get past one moment in the exact way the developers planned, all while avoiding bugs and clunky mechanics.”
- “The stealth mechanics weren't fully realized in this game yet, and what that leads to is enemies randomly detecting you for wearing a certain disguise, or by entering an area or performing an action that you are given no indication you aren't allowed until you're already being shot at.”
- “The gameplay is just plain clunky and overly complicated for no apparent reason.”
graphics
420 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
59%
15%
The graphics of "Hitman: Codename 47" are widely regarded as dated and subpar by modern standards, with many reviewers noting that they have not aged well since the game's release in 2000. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and atmospheric design for its time, others criticize the low draw distance, blocky character models, and overall lack of visual fidelity. Despite these shortcomings, the graphics are sometimes seen as forgivable given the game's historical context and the engaging gameplay it offers.
- “Hitman: Codename 47, using IO Interactive’s Glacier engine, has stunning graphics for its time, despite having empty spaces and maze-like locations.”
- “The graphics are fine if you are used to games from that era, but the real problem is the way Agent 47 controls and the field of view.”
- “Graphically, the game looks charming for its time, but the draw distance is too low, which can be increased with a tool, though it will affect the framerate.”
- “The graphics have not aged well and the controls are difficult to work with.”
- “The graphics are a complete disaster, the object positioning seems rushed and the character models are all pretty awful (as compared with the graphic fidelity of today) but if you can look past the graphics, look past the shortcuts and the low poly counts it's still a fun and somewhat challenging game.”
- “Clunky controls and dated graphics make this game pretty meh.”
music
180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The music in "Hitman: Codename 47," composed by Jesper Kyd, is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the game's dark and suspenseful tone. Key tracks, such as the main menu theme and various level-specific compositions, are noted for their unique blend of electronic and traditional influences, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Despite some criticisms regarding the game's execution and sound quality, the soundtrack remains a standout feature that many players find memorable and enjoyable.
- “The soundtrack for Hitman: Codename 47, composed by Jesper Kyd, is a notable aspect of the game.”
- “Key tracks from the soundtrack, such as 'Main Title', 'Hong Kong', 'Jungle Exploration', 'Harbor', and 'Hospital', effectively capture the essence of the game.”
- “The soundtrack made by Jesper Kyd is simply amazing and conveys a perfect immersion to the different settings - action, suspense, fear.”
- “Despite its stunning graphics for its time and a notable soundtrack, the game ultimately fails in its execution, with some entertaining aspects and potential design concepts overshadowed by serious flaws.”
- “In addition to technically playing poorly, the plot is missing in action, and what's with this overly calm and soothing music that persists throughout the game?”
- “It's a terribly ported game as the music won't work 80% of the time and the game is basically dependent on the music.”
stability
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
1%
97%
The stability of "Hitman: Codename 47" is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and clunky controls that significantly hinder gameplay. Many reviews highlight the game's outdated mechanics and frequent crashes, making it frustrating and difficult to enjoy, especially for those unfamiliar with the series. While some players managed to play without major issues, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from severe stability problems that detract from the experience.
- “Outside of that, it does function well. I've had no glitches or crashes and got the game to work with a widescreen resolution.”
- “Always wanted to play this game, finally bought it. No glitches, bugs, or viruses. This is one of the hardest Hitman games I've ever played. Despite the graphics and quality, I find it really good even in 2022.”
- “The foundation of a great series, but an extremely buggy and dated foundation. Don't bother unless you're a hardcore masochist.”
- “Hitman: Codename 47 is a game with lots of potential and an interesting story, but is cut short by having very poor instructions, trash graphics, poor level design, terrible sound design, bad AI, and an extreme boatload of glitches.”
- “This game is extremely buggy and crashes all the time, so it's unplayable...”
atmosphere
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
17%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique and immersive level designs, particularly in locations like Hong Kong, Rotterdam, and the Colombian jungle. The electronic soundtrack by Jesper Kyd enhances the dark and gripping ambiance, contributing to a memorable experience despite the game's dated graphics. Overall, the combination of atmospheric settings, engaging storylines, and effective music creates a compelling and immersive environment that resonates with players.
- “Its challenging missions and atmospheric settings make for a gripping experience, despite its dated graphics.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is amazing; every mission has a special music, that special feeling that it's unique, not just another useless task.”
- “The graphics, if one accepts that it is an older game, are still pretty decent, and the game creates really great atmosphere in the levels, along with the fantastic music composed by Jesper Kyd.”
- “The story is mediocre, but given that the soundtrack is very well composed by Jesper Kyd, it gives the game a special dark atmosphere.”
- “Aside from this being a PC exclusive, yes, the game might as well be so old and irrelevant that you'd want to pass up on it, but even so, the game still has an irreplaceable charm; it has atmosphere, weight, and stupid decisions all over the place.”
- “Most of this game is amazing, yet there are still a few missions that suck; the atmosphere and music are incredible, and I'd highly recommend the cheap purchase.”
humor
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of intentional and unintentional comedic elements, including hilarious one-liners from the protagonist, absurd situations in a stealth game that require excessive violence, and amusing NPC interactions. Players appreciate the quirky voice acting and funny dialogues, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere despite the game's darker themes. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm that resonates with both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
- “The voice acting is hilarious for the most part.”
- “So, if you're planning to skip playing the game but want to know the plot, click the link and make sure not to eat anything because you'll probably choke on your food while laughing your ass off.”
- “The NPCs are hilarious when they get taken out.”
grinding
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
10%
88%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious, with players often required to repeat long sequences due to a lack of in-level save points or checkpoints. Many reviewers express frustration over the trial-and-error nature of missions, which can lead to significant time loss and a feeling of unfairness, detracting from overall enjoyment. Overall, the grinding experience is described as soul-crushing and time-consuming, making it a major drawback for players.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “There is no in-level save function, which makes most levels needlessly tedious.”
- “One mistake and you have to do a tedious 1-minute walk just to get back to where you were, just to do another tedious 2-minute setup to maybe get the chance to mess up again.”
- “Save function: there's zero sort of checkpoint or save function besides the mission select, now that in itself is perfectly fine if not combined with the fact that some of the levels are extremely long and tedious where you'll have to repeatedly do the same sequence of events over and over again just to get to the part that you failed at.”
replayability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
63%
10%
The replayability of "Hitman: Codename 47" is a mixed bag; while the game offers various methods to complete missions, allowing for some replay value, its flaws in gameplay and limited freedom in experimentation diminish the overall incentive to replay. Many players find that they quickly discover optimal strategies for each level, which can lead to a lack of motivation to revisit them. Compared to later installments in the series, this title is seen as less replayable, requiring significant patience and skill to enjoy fully.
- “There are numerous ways to complete every mission, which makes for great replayability.”
- “The sheer replayability of these levels is what defines Hitman as a series.”
- “Mainly taking place in urban and jungle settings, 47 has the advantage of different places and scenarios to execute kill shots or strangle your mark; every single level is meticulously laid out to allow extreme replayability.”
- “The replayability of Hitman: Codename 47 is limited due to various flaws in the gameplay and a lack of freedom in mission experimentation compared to later installments.”
- “Reviews and user opinions also suggest that the replay value of the game is relatively limited, as players may quickly figure out the best strategies for each level, reducing the incentive to replay.”
- “Despite the entertaining aspects and lush graphics, the game's serious flaws ultimately impact its replay value.”
optimization
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
53%
36%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, particularly on Windows 11, where the user interface suffers from scaling issues and performance drops to as low as 20 fps in some instances. While it can run smoothly on older hardware, many players note that it is not well-optimized for modern PCs, leading to stuttering and poor graphical fidelity. Overall, the game is seen as a relic that struggles to meet contemporary standards, despite some players finding it playable on low-end systems.
- “I won't post a benchmark because, as already been said, this game can run on any computer with smooth performance (60+ fps).”
- “The game is a great start to a gaming selection if you're on a budget and/or are using a laptop, as the game's age and optimization has really aided in it performing amazingly on modern hardware. For reference, my laptop, which has no dedicated GPU, 300 MHz DDR3 4x2 RAM, and a 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU, runs H:C47 at upwards of 120 fps at most times. I've even got it to run on a 2007 MacBook running Linux Mint using Steam Play, with a low-end dual-core Intel CPU, no GPU, and some low clocked 1x1 GB DDR2 RAM; it was... well... playable.”
- “Generally high performance gameplay.”
- “On Windows 11, the user interface optimization is negatively impacted, resulting in a reduced size of the main menu and gameplay user interface at a 16:9 resolution, with a limited 4:3 ratio.”
- “Bad gameplay, confusing map design, and poor optimization (I was playing at 20 fps). Maybe you want to play this game for the story, and a lot of people say this game was awesome for the 2000s, but we are in 2024, so no.”
- “Game doesn't age well, and is not optimized for newer PCs.”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find "Hitman: Codename 47" to be emotionally engaging, with a well-crafted story that features surprising twists and a poignant ending that resonates deeply, often evoking tears. The game's blend of humor and dramatic moments, set against diverse and immersive locations, enhances its emotional impact, making it a memorable experience that encourages players to explore the series further.
- “The plot is well written and has an emotional ending; you will surely enjoy it, and you will also be shocked.”
- “Overall, I enjoyed Hitman: Codename 47 and I also shed a tear during the last level.”
- “I cried when I played this game.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Character development in the game is noted for its quirky and absurd design, reminiscent of early 2000s eurojank titles. Despite limited story time, the character development effectively enriches the game's world, surpassing the narrative depth found in two full-length Hollywood films.
- “You know, it's amazing how something as little as 15 minutes of story time and character development sprinkled through this very old game creates a better world for Hitman than two full-length feature Hollywood movies could not do.”