HITMAN – Episode 6: Hokkaido Review

Hokkaido is a fitting and fantastic end to the brilliant first season of the ‘new’ Hitman – it’s just a shame that the story leaves too many threads open and ends on such a cliffhanger.

Share

Japan scam?

The first season of ‘new’ Hitman comes to an end in a private Japanese hospital, but is it a fitting ending for Agent 47?

Story:

Our bald assassin’s story has certainly seen up-and-downs this year, but unfortunately Hokkaido isn’t the best ending to the season. The tension and ante are upped once again, with two high profile targets to take out. But it’s the end cut-scene which let things down for me. Too many strands are left open, too little is said to wrap things up, and it ends up becoming a classically disappointing cliffhanger ending.

In some ways, the ending of the Colorado level would have been a more fitting season end if IO had wanted a really explosive finish. Japan just asks more questions, and it seems a bit limp as a result.

Gameplay:

Thankfully, the gameplay more than makes up for the disappointing story beats, with some of the best opportunities to date. Fancy dressing up as a Yoga instructor? Performing open heart surgery with a robot? Becoming a sushi chef or drug-pushing pilot? All of these or more are possible, and include some brilliant possibilities.

hitman_episode_6_hokkaido_1

Hokkaido also mixes things up by removing the ability to smuggle in weapons, so you’re forced to start with nothing but a hospital robe. Many of the doors also open automatically based on your disguise, so accessing all areas requires great skill in arriving at the right doors at the right time with the right clothes on. It’s challenging, but in a very different way to the last couple of levels.

hitman_episode_6_hokkaido_4

It’s also pretty lengthy, with my first run taking nearly 90 minutes, thanks to the vast size of the complex. It’s going to be interesting to see what contracts and elusive targets end up here due to the unique and fun set of challenges the level provides.

Presentation:

Hokkaido spins things around a little for me in terms of the presentation. It’s not the best looking level IO have made, with much of it being internal corridors and future-hospital. You do still get some great art and a clean design that’s very different to past episodes.

hitman_episode_6_hokkaido_5

It’s a shame you can’t start as a ninja until after your first playthrough though, because that really shows off how beautiful the level can be, and how much effort has gone into it – you just rarely get to appreciate it.

From a sound perspective, this is Hitman exceeding expectations. The amount and quality of environmental speech is seriously impressive, and it’s been really well scripted, including some seriously funny bits of dialogue, especially when tied into the opportunities.

 

Conclusion:

Hitman has been a fantastically pleasant surprise, with constantly evolving gameplay, some beautiful art, and a wealth of content for the hardcore player. Hokkaido is no exception. It may disappoint narratively, but from a gameplay perspective it’s one of, if not the strongest episode yet, and fills me with hope as to how the second season may progress things forwards even further. It probably makes little sense as an individual purchase, but it’s a fitting finish to one of my favourite games of the year.

Good

  • Gameplay is mixed up again
  • Interesting & hilarious opportunities

Bad

  • Story ends on too much of a cliffhanger
8

Great

Story - 6.5
Graphics - 8
Sound - 9
Gameplay - 9
Value - 7.5
Editor - Reviewer GamerKnights

Leave a Reply

Lost Password

%d bloggers like this: