Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Hitman: Ultimate Contract brings together four cornerstone entries in the stealth-action genre—Hitman: Codename 47, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, Hitman: Contracts, and Hitman: Blood Money—into a single package. Across these titles, players step into the polished shoes of Agent 47, executing elaborately crafted assassinations with a trademark blend of planning, patience, and improvisation. Each mission unfolds in a sandbox environment where discretion and creative problem-solving are rewarded more than direct confrontation.

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From the muscle-bound beginnings of Codename 47 to the refined assassination toolkit of Blood Money, the gameplay evolution is palpable. Early titles introduce box-based disguises and basic AI patterns, teaching you the value of timing and line-of-sight. By Blood Money, you’re outfitted with coin distractions, customizable loadouts, and an economy system that lets you upgrade weapons and gear. The result is a series that grows more complex and satisfying with each successive release.

Replayability is a key pillar of this compilation. Every level brims with optional objectives, unique kill methods, and hidden pathways waiting to be discovered. Challenge modes—such as Silent Assassin ratings, time challenges, and elusive target appearances—extend each mission’s lifespan. Whether you’re picking off a target from a sniping perch, poisoning a guarded drink, or staging an accidental death, you’ll find enough depth to revisit your favorite locales dozens of times.

Graphics

Graphically, Ultimate Contract is a journey through five generations of PC visuals. Codename 47’s industrial halls and expressionless faces feel dated by modern standards, but they carry a nostalgic charm. By Silent Assassin, polygon counts rise and textures gain definition, giving environments richer ambiance and characters more personality.

Contracts and Blood Money marked a major step forward with dynamic lighting, enhanced water reflections, and subtler character animations. In Blood Money, candlelit courtyards, richly clothed NPCs, and realistic glow effects demonstrate how the series gradually embraced more cinematic presentation. Though none of the games match today’s AAA photorealism, each one retains a distinct visual identity that complements its level design and stealth pacing.

On contemporary hardware, Ultimate Contract benefits from smooth frame rates and higher resolutions—especially if played with widescreen or ultrawide support. Built-in FOV sliders and texture packs are often community-driven, but the core engine holds up well. Occasional clipping and NPC path-finding quirks may arise, yet they rarely impede the immersion in meticulously staged assassination scenarios.

Story

Across the four included titles, Hitman: Ultimate Contract weaves a sprawling narrative of betrayal, shadowy organizations, and Agent 47’s quest for purpose. Codename 47 lays the foundation, introducing the cloned assassin and his mysterious creator. Silent Assassin follows 47’s reluctant return to the field, haunted by a monastic life he believed could redeem him.

Hitman: Contracts delves into the protagonist’s past with a series of flashback missions, each drenched in rain-soaked neon and personal reflection. These vignettes explore 47’s early assignments, revealing both his lethal precision and the psychological toll of his craft. The plot threads tighten in Blood Money, where a daring heist and a media scandal threaten the ICA’s stability and push 47 to confront powerful forces in Europe and beyond.

While the overarching storyline remains episodic—each mission often stands alone—the thematic consistency binds the collection. You’ll feel the weight of 47’s morality as he questions loyalty, identity, and the fine line between professionalism and obsession. For newcomers, the story provides enough intrigue to keep you invested; for series veterans, it’s a chance to relive favorite moments in one seamless package.

Overall Experience

Hitman: Ultimate Contract offers a compelling value proposition, bundling four classic experiences at a budget-friendly price. It’s an ideal entry point for those curious about Agent 47’s legacy, as well as a nostalgia trip for longtime fans. The diverse mission locations—from greasy docks and crumbling chapels to opulent casinos—ensure variety, while the iconic currency system in Blood Money adds an extra layer of strategic planning.

That said, players seeking lightning-fast action or modern UI conveniences may find early titles a bit clunky. Inventory management is sometimes slow, and auto-save checkpoints can feel sparse. However, the core gameplay loop—observe, plan, execute—remains as rewarding as ever. Minor technical quirks are outweighed by the thrill of staging the perfect, untraceable assassination.

Ultimately, Ultimate Contract stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of tactical stealth. Whether you’re mastering the basics in Codename 47 or orchestrating multi-layered hits in Blood Money, you’ll appreciate how each installment refines the formula. This compilation isn’t just a bundle of good games; it’s a masterclass in covert artistry that new players and series aficionados alike can wholeheartedly enjoy.

Retro Replay Score

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