Hitman: Codename 47

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,413 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Hitman: Codename 47 Game Cover
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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.

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Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,413 reviews
story146 positive mentions
stability61 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 and context for Agent 47's character.
  • The controls are clunky and outdated, making gameplay frustrating at times.
  • There is no save system during missions, leading to repetitive gameplay and potential loss of progress.
  • The AI can be inconsistent, with guards sometimes detecting the player unfairly or not reacting appropriately to actions.
  • story861 mentions

    The story of *Hitman: Codename 47* serves as an intriguing origin for Agent 47, detailing his background as a genetically engineered assassin and his missions across various global locations. While the narrative is not overly complex, it effectively sets the stage for the character's development and the overarching plot of the series, with some missions offering memorable moments and connections between targets. However, the storytelling is often conveyed through trial-and-error gameplay, which can frustrate players and detract from the overall experience.

    • “The story is really interesting and captivating, detailing the secret origin of agent 47, our favorite silent assassin.”
    • “The story was very good and the game was really enjoyable for me.”
    • “Hitman: codename 47 is a stealth game and, therefore, discourages shootouts - but they do happen as part of some missions.”
    • “The game is hard in the wrong way; it doesn’t tell you what is the stealthy way to do it, especially in the levels 'Say Hello to My Little Friend' and 'Plutonium Runs Loose'. In the first one, it seems there is a bug when you try to get into a zone with the correct outfit, but the NPCs tell you to not enter, and the player after this doesn’t have any option but to shoot his way in.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay258 mentions

    The gameplay of *Hitman: Codename 47* is characterized by a mix of innovative stealth mechanics and frustrating execution, often leading to a trial-and-error experience that can feel punishing due to clunky controls and inconsistent AI. While the game lays the groundwork for the series with its unique approach to assassination and level design, many players find the mechanics outdated and riddled with bugs, making it a challenging play that may not appeal to those unfamiliar with older gaming conventions. Overall, it offers a nostalgic glimpse into the origins of the franchise, but its technical shortcomings and lack of polish detract from the overall experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Hitman: Codename 47 lays the foundation for the iconic stealth franchise with its innovative gameplay and intricate level design.”
    • “Despite some dated mechanics and difficulty spikes, the game's emphasis on strategic planning and execution remains engaging.”
    • “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, leading to 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.”
  • graphics210 mentions

    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, clunky character models, and overall visual quality, which can detract from the gameplay experience. Despite these shortcomings, a few players still find the graphics acceptable within the context of the era, highlighting the game's historical significance in the stealth genre.

    • “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 pretty dated now, but back then this was a really beautiful game.”
    • “Graphically, the game looks really good for 2000's standards and there are some familiar elements in this game present in future installments such as the fiber wire and sniper rifle suitcase.”
    • “The graphics are a complete disaster, the object positioning seems rushed and the character models are all pretty awful compared to the graphic fidelity of today.”
    • “The graphics have not aged well and the controls are difficult to work with.”
    • “Clunky controls and dated graphics make this game pretty meh.”
  • music90 mentions

    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 soundtracks, are noted for their unique blend of electronic and traditional influences, contributing significantly to the overall experience. While some players find the sound quality dated, the soundtrack remains a standout feature that many consider the best aspect of the game.

    • “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?”
    • “Its a terribly ported game as the music won't work 80% of the time and the game is basically dependent on the music.”
  • stability63 mentions

    The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and clunky controls that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players describe the experience as frustrating and difficult, often attributing challenges to poor programming rather than legitimate game mechanics. While some users report no major issues, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from a lack of polish and stability, making it a tough play, especially for newcomers.

    • “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.”
    • “The game is extremely buggy and crashes all the time, so it's unplayable.”
    • “Add to this game-breaking glitches all over the game and you have a mess on your hands.”
  • atmosphere32 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique and immersive level designs, particularly in locations like Hong Kong and Rotterdam, complemented by a compelling soundtrack by Jesper Kyd that enhances the dark and gritty tone. Despite some dated graphics, the combination of atmospheric settings, engaging story, and memorable music creates a captivating experience that resonates with players. Overall, the game's atmosphere stands out as one of its strongest elements, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.

    • “Its challenging missions and atmospheric settings make for a gripping experience, despite its dated graphics.”
    • “The main strengths of this game are the story and the atmosphere.”
    • “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 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.”
  • humor28 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of intentional and unintentional comedic moments, including absurd scenarios in a stealth game that require excessive violence, hilarious voice acting, and amusing character interactions. Players appreciate the clever one-liners and funny dialogues, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere despite the game's darker themes. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm, making it enjoyable for both new and returning fans of the series.

    • “The voice acting is hilarious for the most part.”
    • “The NPCs are hilarious when they get taken out.”
    • “Agent 47 has hilarious one-liners in this game.”
  • grinding26 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious, with players often needing to repeat long sequences due to a lack of checkpoints or save functions. Many reviews highlight the frustration of having to restart entire levels after minor mistakes, leading to a trial-and-error experience that detracts from enjoyment and engagement. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant barrier to the game's enjoyment, requiring immense patience and time investment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability15 mentions

    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 hinder overall enjoyment. Many players find that once optimal strategies are discovered, the incentive to replay diminishes, especially when compared to later installments in the series that enhance replayability. Overall, while the game has entertaining missions, its replay value is significantly impacted by its difficulty and design limitations.

    • “There are numerous ways to complete every mission, which makes for great replayability.”
    • “Hitman: Codename 47 has great missions and has a good replayability after all this time since its release.”
    • “The sheer replayability of these levels is what defines Hitman as a series.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it performs well on low-end hardware, users report significant issues on Windows 11, including a poorly scaled user interface and low frame rates in certain areas. Many players note that the game struggles with modern resolutions and lacks proper optimization for contemporary PCs, leading to a frustrating experience despite its nostalgic value. Additionally, while some users experience smooth gameplay, others encounter stuttering and performance drops, particularly in specific locations.

    • “I won't post a benchmark because, as already been said, this game can run on any computer with smooth performances (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, and 300 MHz DDR3 4x2 RAM and a 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU, runs it at upwards of 120 fps most times, and 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 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.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of "Hitman: Codename 47" to be deeply engaging, highlighted by a well-crafted story and impactful endings that evoke strong feelings, including tears. The game's blend of humor and dramatic moments, along with its diverse settings, contributes to a memorable emotional experience that resonates with players and encourages them 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 development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is characterized by its quirky and absurd design, reminiscent of early 2000s eurojank titles. Despite limited story time, the game effectively builds a more engaging world for its characters than many contemporary films, showcasing the impact of concise storytelling.

    • “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.”
    • “The character design is typical of eurojank games in the early 2000s, but it is absurd and goofy in a good way.”
    • “The character design is typical of eurojank games in the early 2000s, but it is absurd and goofy in a good way.”
    • “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 the hitman than two full-length feature Hollywood movies could.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

9hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
2-12hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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