With the weekend long Beta of Square Enix’s upcoming installment of the Hitman franchise over, two of us emerged with bloodied suits and smoking guns. While some may classify this as a Beta, what we played was far more in line with that of a gameplay demo. Players were restricted to two single player missions, with one just being a training simulator, there were no online features, leaderboards, or other modes unlocked for us to try. What we got was, in many ways, just the core experience that the Hitman franchise is famous for. Below are both of our individual thoughts and experiences after dumping a sizeable amount of time replaying the two levels again and again. Both experiences were on the PS4 version of the Beta.
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Collin MacGregor:
Entering the Hitman Beta I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from a franchise that hasn’t really changed much since one of their most beloved titles Hitman: Blood Money. Sadly, with most of the new features removed, what I got was just more of the same stealth-action gameplay. Nothing really new was shown off, but what gameplay was available seemed far more streamlined than any of the previous titles. Tracking missions and various possible kills are far easier than before, now actually adding waypoints and steps for you to follow. I can only assume this mode can be turned off for purists and those who like a bit more challenge when killing their targets. However, even when this feature is enabled you only can track a side objective by listening in on various NPC’s conversations, so it’s possible to kill someone in a creative way without the requisite information given. This is a smart choice as it adds a more organic feel to discovering the devious ways to eliminate your target and offers the NPCs something to do aside from just standing around doing nothing.
Speaking of NPCs, they were not as reactive or smart as one may hope from a Hitman game. I managed to shoot three officers in the back of the head undetected on an open dock with a party in full swing mere meters away from me. Their movements and patterns are either very predictable or in the odd cases stuck in endless loops around one area forcing you to commit to a certain way of killing them. For the second mission, the target would always go to the same three places unless acted upon by the player in a certain way. This is disappointing because it removes the challenge from the kill as I could always predict when and where he’d be at any given moment. Guards are more reactive this time around and will actively pursue you if they either catch you or grow suspicious of your actions.
In terms of actual gameplay, it offers enough freedom for anyone’s style of play to actually be feasible, though I’d recommend against going in with guns blazing. From drownings, explosives, poison, to just a good ol’ bullet to the back of the head; the Hitman Beta had that tried and true dark playfulness it thrives on. That being said, the Beta is buggy and clearly needs a heavy dose of polish as I experienced two hard crashes, a wealth of pop-ins, glitchy animations, and characters getting stuck in doors/movements. In its current state, I would find it hard to believe this game is worth shelling out $15 for two missions (Three if you’re on PS4) as you can normally beat a level in under 15-20 minutes. However this will, of course, change depending on how determined you are to complete the various challenges in each level, which offer some nice replayability.
The Hitman Beta wasn’t everything I hoped it to be, but it also wasn’t a massive disappointment. There were some clear highlights and downfalls, but whether these issues get fixed in the few months leading up to release is another story.
Trent Katzenberger:
I have never been part of a Beta before. Technically, I’m not sure that I could say I have been now. I recently took part in the Hitman Beta, but I truly feel that calling it such is a misnomer. It would be more appropriate to call what I played a demo, as the entirety of the Hitman Beta can be completed in a single run of an hour or two, and consists of just the two tutorial levels that make up the game’s prologue.
Not everything I experienced in the Beta was terrible, however. In general, I found the game to be fairly entertaining. I am a huge fan of stealth games and the Hitman Beta does a fair job of implementing everything that there is to love about the genre. There is a great focus on infiltration and freedom of choice, meaning that you can go about completing your mission objections in any number of ways, including but not limited to stealth kills, both melee and ranged, full frontal assaults, murder by explosions, and poison. This does not include all of the unique mission specific ways that you can go about eliminating your target. I was particularly fond of ending the second mission by shooting my target into the sky due to an ejector seat “malfunction” I had caused.
Despite my love of stealth games, I have only played a few minutes of any previous Hitman title, back in PS2 era. Despite this what I got to do in the Hitman Beta appears to be almost identical to my own experiences and those I have heard of from others, with the original Hitman games. This may not sound like a bad thing, and in many respects it’s not, but the game does feel a bit old school (also the graphics are markedly bad). Perhaps I am just spoiled having so recently played Metal Gear Solid V which is by far the best, and most advanced stealth game ever created (in terms of game mechanics and completion options). That game offers so many options that what I got to experience in this Beta feels paltry and last gen by comparison, and this is part of the reason why this “Beta” ultimately left a bad taste in my mouth.
For all the things that I enjoyed about my time with the Beta, I did not get to experience any of the next gen MMO-style features that the developers kept carrying on about. All of the things that would have made this game feel really unique and up to date were withheld from the Beta. I was unable to sample any of the games online modes and that is what made me sad. When I completed the two missions included in the Hitman Beta, I couldn’t help but think “Is that it?”. I liked the Hitman Beta in general, but I really felt it was missing that special something that would take it to the next level. Was that something the games online modes? I couldn’t tell you. But I really feel that Square Enix shot themselves in the foot by not including that in this release of the game. Ultimately the Hitman Beta was not enough to convince me to spend $60 on this title when it is released and if anything it actually served to decrease my excitement over this game.
What did you think of the Hitman Beta? Agree or disagree with us? Any features you wished they showed off? Sound off below!
