Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Hitman: Contracts builds on the stealth mechanics of its predecessors, offering players a refined toolkit of disguises, gadgets, and weapons to carry out their missions. As Agent 47, you have the freedom to approach each target from multiple angles: blend in as a waiter, slink through shadowy corridors, or go in guns blazing. This malleability ensures that no two playthroughs feel identical, inviting experimentation and creativity.

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The mission structure is broken into flashbacks of Agent 47’s past assignments, some of which harken back to missions featured in Hitman: Codename 47. This framing device not only provides context for the occasional remake of earlier levels, but also adds depth to the narrative, linking memories with the present. Each flashback feels self-contained yet contributes to an overarching sense of a career filled with intrigue and danger.

A highlight of the gameplay loop is the rating system. Players are evaluated on factors such as stealth, discretion, and body disposal, earning ranks from “Mass Murderer” to the coveted “Silent Assassin.” Achieving Silent Assassin status unlocks special weapons—such as a pair of sawed-off shotguns—that can be used in replayed missions. These incentives provide strong replay value, encouraging players to master each map’s layout and guard patrols.

In addition to the primary assassination objectives, environmental storytelling and optional challenges enrich the experience. Discovering hidden kill opportunities or completing side tasks can reward you with added insight into 47’s world. While some may find the guard AI occasionally predictable, the variety of locales—from grimy Parisian alleys to neon-lit Tokyo rooftops—keeps mission design fresh throughout the campaign.

Graphics

Released in 2004, Hitman: Contracts showcases the aging but serviceable RenderWare engine. The visual tone is deliberately grim and moody, bathing many levels in rain-soaked palettes and muted lighting. This noir-inspired aesthetic complements the dark subject matter, creating atmospheres that range from decaying hospital corridors to shadowy catacombs.

Character models and textures, while not up to modern standards, remain expressive enough to convey tension and drama. Close-up executions and kill animations are suitably visceral, and the game leans into gore effects to emphasize the brutal reality of 47’s profession. Occasional texture pop-in and stiff character movement betray the game’s age, but they rarely detract from the immersive environments.

Lighting plays a pivotal role in gameplay as well as presentation. Spotlights can expose 47 if he lingers in the open, while darker corners provide safe havens for stealthy takedowns. Dynamic shadows and particle effects—such as drifting cigarette smoke or rain splatter—enhance the mood, even if the technical implementation feels dated by today’s standards.

Overall, the visual design choices work in service of the game’s atmosphere. Though polygon counts and resolution are modest, careful level design and a consistent color palette preserve the sense of being a lone assassin navigating dangerous territory. Fans of atmospheric stealth games will appreciate the gritty aesthetic more than they’ll lament the absence of high-definition graphics.

Story

The story of Hitman: Contracts is framed as a near-death reminiscence, with Agent 47 lying wounded after an ambush and reflecting on key assignments from his past. This framing device allows the game to revisit favorites from Codename 47 while weaving in new missions, creating a tapestry of memories that reveal glimpses of 47’s psyche.

Each flashback mission is prefaced with dramatic cutscenes and voice-over narration. The tone is introspective and brooding, as 47 questions his role in a world of cleansed targets and moral ambiguity. Supporting characters, such as the ICA handlers, provide exposition and occasional moral counterpoints, though the series has never been known for deep character arcs beyond its central assassin.

While the overarching narrative is relatively sparse, the sense of continuity across missions helps reinforce the idea of an evolving professional. There are nods to previous betrayals, shifting alliances within shadowy organizations, and the personal stakes that come from being a marked man. The frequent return visits to beloved locales—churches, casinos, and seaside villas—add a layer of nostalgic resonance for series veterans.

Dialogue and voice acting range from competent to occasionally wooden, but the emphasis remains on action over deep story beats. Players invested in the lore will find enough connective tissue to piece together 47’s history, while newcomers can simply enjoy each mission as a standalone tale of subterfuge and elimination.

Overall Experience

Hitman: Contracts delivers a solid stealth action experience anchored by its signature rating system and mission design. The ability to tackle targets with sheer creativity—whether through elaborate accidents or silent takedowns—keeps the gameplay engaging across the campaign’s dozen-plus missions. For players who thrive on planning and patience, the pursuit of Silent Assassin rankings offers satisfying challenges.

The game’s atmospheric graphics and oppressive sound design effectively evoke a world of shadows and whispered threats. While technical limitations show their age, the creative use of lighting, weather effects, and set pieces ensures that each location feels distinct. Fans of immersive stealth titles will appreciate the attention to environmental detail, even if modern gamers might miss higher-fidelity visuals.

Though the narrative is lightweight and episodic, the flashback structure provides an intriguing framework that ties missions together under the looming threat to 47’s life. The blend of old and new assignments satisfies series loyalists while offering fresh scenarios for returning players. Optional objectives and unlockable weapons further enhance replayability, making Contracts a rewarding revisit—or a worthwhile first play—for stealth enthusiasts.

In summary, Hitman: Contracts remains a memorable chapter in Agent 47’s saga. Its blend of freeform stealth, atmospheric levels, and the drive to perfect each mission combine to create an experience that still resonates today. Potential buyers seeking a classic stealth thriller with robust replay value will find plenty to admire in this dark, rain-soaked adventure.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10