Before I say anything, let me just say that this game is fun. Not perfect, but fun. So let's break it down.
Right off the bat we run into my biggest complaint. This game is split into episodes, and, as of the publishing of this article, there's only one real episode available, and that is the Paris fashion show. According to Square/Enix, they want to experiment with a new way of releasing content.
As far as I'm concerned, the experiment is already over. I didn't pay $60 to wait five months to get the complete game. I would have GREATLY preferred to just wait until later in the year and have it all released as one game. I'm not saying it's the end of the world or anything. I'm just saying that it's a cheap attempt to extend the life of the game that doesn't really extend it at all. Let me explain why.
Whether I spend the time playing all the episodes when it comes out, or play them one at a time a little each month, it doesn't change the total amount of time I played the game. It merely stretches it out and creates the illusion that I spent more time on it. The game may get talked about for five months or what not, but the amount that the game is talked about will be less, because there isn't as much content to enjoy, view or discuss. In a world where there are new and interesting games coming out all the time, it's possible players may lose interest before all the episodes are even out or be forced not to play because other games they want to play are out.
There, biggest complaint out of the way. Now, let's dive into the game itself.
Like any standard Hitman, you are presented with a level where you can accomplish your objective(s) in a myriad of ways, including special or unique kills, such as accidents, poisons, etc.. However, I was saddened to see, in the levels available at launch anyways, that you can't hide items in a basket or what not and carry them like you could in some of the previous Hitman games. While there are a lot of things you can interact with in the environment, most of them are stuck where they are.
In addition to the Paris level are some tutorial levels that are much smaller, and provide the backbone for the beginning of the Hitman story line.
There are some glitches to be found, which is to be expected. I haven't encountered anything too serious, but I've fallen between floors when choking someone or other such things, but there just aren't many complaints in the bug department.
Aside from the story mode are a few other modes you can kill time with. One of the most interesting is the ability for players to make custom contracts within the levels and then upload them for other players to play. I've even made one called Three Shots, Two Guns, One Vampire. The fun in this mode comes in that you aren't limited to the few characters you get to assassinate in the story version of the levels. Players can select any character in the level and make them a target, choosing which weapons or costumes to wear when assassinating said targets to add even more variety.
Another mode available at launch is the Escalation Contracts. These are staged contracts that are divided into five levels. The first level, for example, will have you kill a certain target in the level. After completing the first level, you escalate to stage two, where you have to complete the previous objective, plus a new one. This happens up to the fifth level, each time adding objectives. However, like story mode, there is a limited amount of this content at release too.
There are more levels and modes to come, so you can expect some changes to this article, but overall I think the score below will more-or-less reflect the score of the game over all, unless one of the episodes they release is just terrible.
Edit (4/1/16 ) - Something I have been considering, and this doesn't impact the game's score in any way, is a change they should consider making in future titles in the series. To put it simply, the detection system needs to be layered. For example, in the Paris level (all that is available at this time), if wearing say, the palace staff disguise, you can follow Viktor Novakov around to any area he travels to, minus the actual stage, with no chance of being detected. You can listen to all his personal conversations while standing so close you can touch him. Now, I'm not saying he should get super sensitive and detect you the moment you enter the room, you are dressed as a servant after all. This is where the layering comes in. If the player continues getting near him, passing by, letting him see your face to say, he starts to recognize you, then becomes suspicious. However a pass here, a nudge there, maybe not so much. Just something for the developers to consider, if they were ever to see this.
Score - 7 (8.5 if released as a full game and made the environment so you could move some stuff or hide weapons and carry them like the old days)
If you would like to see some footage or need some assistance you can check out my videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjmasf7hzvOeqfjVtj_h4Qw
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