Hitman: Contracts

The main pros of the game

• Atmosphere and Tone: The game is praised for its dark and moody atmosphere, with many users highlighting the eerie environments and the haunting soundtrack by Jesper Kyd, which enhances the overall experience.
• Level Design: Many missions are uniquely designed, with a mix of remade levels from Codename 47 and new ones that add variety. Levels like "The Meat King's Party" and "Beldingford Manor" are particularly noted for their creativity and engaging gameplay.
• Gameplay Mechanics: The game refines the stealth mechanics from previous entries, allowing for more strategic play. Players can experiment with disguises, traps, and various methods of assassination, which adds depth to the gameplay.
• Improved AI: Compared to earlier titles, the AI is generally seen as less frustrating, allowing for a more enjoyable stealth experience, although it still has moments of unpredictability.

The main cons of the game

• Technical Issues: Many reviews mention bugs and performance issues, especially on modern systems, requiring players to download patches or make adjustments to run the game smoothly. Problems like freezing and control issues are common complaints.
• Short Length: The game is relatively short, with only 12 missions, and some players feel that it lacks the depth and complexity of other entries in the series. The reliance on remade missions from Codename 47 can make it feel less original.
• Inconsistent AI Behavior: While improved, the AI sometimes behaves erratically, leading to frustrating moments where stealth plans are ruined by unexpected detection.
• Dated Mechanics: Some players find the controls and overall gameplay mechanics to feel clunky or outdated, which can detract from the experience, especially for those used to more modern games.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Narrative Cohesion: Several users noted that the overarching story feels disjointed and lacks engagement, primarily due to its flashback structure and the limited narrative content.
• Additional Features: Some players miss features present in previous games, such as weapon customization and more detailed mission briefings. The absence of cutscenes and in-depth storytelling can make the game feel less immersive.
• More Original Content: There is a desire for more new missions rather than remakes, as some players feel that the remade levels do not capture the charm of the originals and detract from the overall experience.

Summary

• Overall, Hitman: Contracts is viewed as a solid entry in the series with unique strengths, particularly in atmosphere and level design, but it is hampered by technical issues, a short runtime, and some gameplay inconsistencies.

Summary generated on: October 28, 2025