Hitman: Codename 47
- November 19, 2000
- IO Interactive
- 9h median play time
Hitman: Codename 47 is a single-player shooter game with a good story, spectacular music, and unique atmosphere. As the versatile Hitman, you'll use stealth, weapons, and intelligence to complete contracts while dealing with a haunting past. The success of your missions depends on both quick thinking and quick shooting. However, expect some grinding, bugs, and occasional humor throughout the game's five chapters.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Great introduction to the Hitman series, showcasing the origins of Agent 47.
- Offers a variety of ways to approach missions, encouraging experimentation and strategic thinking.
- The soundtrack by Jesper Kyd is excellent and enhances the atmosphere of the game.
- Controls are clunky and unintuitive, making gameplay frustrating, especially for new players.
- No save system during missions, leading to repetitive playthroughs and potential frustration.
- AI behavior is inconsistent, often leading to unfair detection and unexpected deaths.
- story725 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of *Hitman: Codename 47* is generally regarded as a compelling origin tale for the iconic assassin, Agent 47, detailing his creation and early missions. While the narrative unfolds through mission briefings and environmental clues, many players find the storytelling somewhat disjointed and reliant on trial-and-error gameplay, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the game offers intriguing plot elements and memorable missions that contribute to the franchise's lore, making it a worthwhile exploration for fans interested in the series' beginnings.
“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.”
“The story is an important aspect of this game, it introduces the character and tells you how he came to be and what he is.”
“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 in 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 controls are atrocious, but more importantly, the game gives you absolutely no idea what it expects from you, so every mission is just dying over and over again in trial and error until you figure it out.”
- gameplay203 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Hitman: Codename 47* is characterized by its challenging and often frustrating mechanics, including clunky controls, a lack of checkpoints, and inconsistent AI behavior that can disrupt stealth attempts. While it lays the groundwork for the series with its unique assassination mechanics and encourages exploration, many players find the trial-and-error nature of the gameplay to be a significant drawback, especially when compared to modern titles. Despite its flaws, some players appreciate the nostalgic value and the sense of accomplishment that comes from mastering its difficult missions.
“Hitman: Codename 47 takes you back to an era where games had no qualms with frustrating the player with trial and error gameplay, no checkpoints, and isn't concerned with being a bit unfair. With that comes a sense of accomplishment when you actually complete a mission.”
“The gameplay is timeless, and I would say this is the best of the Hitman games as far as being true to what they were intended to be: difficult, requiring stealth, and lots of trial and error.”
“Hitman: Codename 47 keeps its complexity simple; sporting almost a simulation-esque style mechanics and interface, with the ease of execution you'd expect from adequate streamlining and playtesting.”
“Codename 47 feels like a tech demo for the later Hitman games, setting up a lot of mechanics but never fully utilizing any, like the stealth, which never feels completely reliable, forcing you to trust that the AI doesn't break or start shooting you for no good reason.”
“The gameplay is just plain clunky and overly complicated for no apparent reason.”
“This game is plagued with bugs and mechanical problems that render gameplay exceedingly frustrating or plain impossible.”
- graphics173 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Hitman: Codename 47" are widely regarded as dated and primitive, reflecting its 2000 release. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and atmospheric design, many criticize the low resolution, poor draw distance, and clunky animations that hinder gameplay. Overall, the visuals are seen as a significant drawback, though they do not entirely detract from the game's classic appeal for fans of the series.
“For its time, it was a masterpiece graphically and in sound design, but the controls were lackluster.”
“The graphics, if one accepts that it is an older game, are still pretty decent, and the game creates a really great atmosphere in the levels, along with the fantastic music composed by Jesper Kyd.”
“Hitman: Codename 47 had amazing visuals for a 2000 release, and the music is most definitely by Jesper Kyd.”
“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 render distance and the graphics are extraordinarily bad, even if you consider the age of the game.”
“Clunky controls and dated graphics make this game pretty meh.”
- music75 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game, primarily composed by Jesper Kyd, is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the game's dark and suspenseful tone. While some users note that the sound quality feels dated, the soundtrack's blend of electronic and traditional influences, along with memorable themes, has left a lasting impression, making it a standout feature despite the game's other shortcomings. Overall, the music is considered a highlight, with many players expressing a desire to keep it in their playlists.
“The soundtrack made by Jesper Kyd is simply amazing and conveys perfect immersion to the different settings - action, suspense, fear.”
“The music is perfect, simply perfect; it made the game even more fun to play.”
“The atmosphere in this game is amazing; every mission has special music that gives a unique feeling, not just another useless task.”
“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.”
“The soundtrack is the same loop over and over again.”
- stability57 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players find the experience frustrating due to game-breaking issues and clunky mechanics, while some acknowledge the nostalgia factor despite the technical shortcomings. Overall, the game's stability is seen as a major drawback, making it difficult for players to fully enjoy its potential.
“I've always wanted to play this game, and I finally bought it. There are no glitches or bugs, and I haven't encountered any 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.”
“This just means it's not complete and always filled with bugs and glitches, sometimes game-breaking.”
“The game is buggy; there were times that I pressed escape to open the main menu and it would restart the mission instead, erasing all my progress in that level and forcing me to start from scratch.”
“Add to this game-breaking glitches all over the game and you have a mess on your hands.”
- humor25 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of dark and absurd comedy, with players highlighting the hilarious voice acting, clever one-liners, and amusing NPC interactions. While some aspects, like the graphics and AI, may be lacking, the overall experience is filled with funny moments that keep players entertained, making it a memorable and enjoyable ride despite its flaws. The game's atmosphere and storytelling are enhanced by its comedic elements, appealing to those who appreciate a blend of humor with action.
“Great atmosphere and story, black humor, much to explore.”
“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 'cause you'll probably choke on your food while laughing your arse off.”
“The voice acting is hilarious for the most part.”
- atmosphere25 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and dark qualities, enhanced by a standout soundtrack composed by Jesper Kyd. Reviewers highlight the combination of refined level design, engaging storytelling, and effective use of music to create a unique and compelling experience, despite some dated graphics. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.
“Great atmosphere and story, black humor, much to explore.”
“The better thing about this game is the OST and the overall dark atmosphere; those two are on point.”
“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...”
- grinding24 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- -8 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized for its lack of a save or checkpoint system, leading to tedious and repetitive gameplay where players must restart long levels after minor mistakes. Many reviewers describe the experience as frustratingly time-consuming, with a focus on trial-and-error that detracts from enjoyment and overall engagement. While some missions offer intrigue, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game is bogged down by its tedious mechanics.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Grinding in this game is rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
“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.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on a variety of older hardware, achieving high frame rates even on low-end systems, there are notable issues with graphical fidelity, particularly with shadows and textures. Some players report occasional performance dips and stuttering in specific areas, but these instances are infrequent. Despite its age, the game remains accessible and performs well for budget gamers.
“I won't post a benchmark because, as has 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 have 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 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.”
“There is no saves, there is no proper optimization, and there are no direct hints - just pure gameplay without score or stealth attached system.”
“Game doesn't age well, and is not optimized for newer PCs.”
“There is a significant amount of stuttering or bounciness.”
- replayability9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The "Hitman" series is praised for its high replayability, with multiple approaches to mission completion and intricately designed levels that encourage experimentation. While the original "Hitman: Codename 47" offers replayable missions, later entries in the series enhance this aspect significantly, making them more enjoyable and accessible. However, some players note that watching gameplay videos can diminish the experience by revealing strategies that limit the thrill of discovery.
“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.”
“Watching any videos on it, however, can ruin the fun, and replayability is limited to finding different ways to kill your targets.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative 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 diverse settings and Mr. 47's humor complement the emotional narrative, making it a memorable 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 development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that even a brief 15 minutes of story and character development in the game significantly enhances the world-building and character depth, achieving more than what two full-length Hollywood movies could accomplish. This suggests that the game's narrative effectively engages players and enriches their experience.
“It's amazing how just 15 minutes of story time and character development sprinkled throughout this very old game creates a better world for Hitman than two full-length feature Hollywood movies could.”
“The depth of character development in this game is truly impressive, making each character feel real and relatable.”
“I love how the game allows for meaningful character growth, making choices that genuinely impact the storyline and the characters' relationships.”
“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.”
“The character development feels rushed and superficial, leaving me disconnected from the story and the characters.”
“I expected more depth in character arcs, but they all seem one-dimensional and predictable.”
