Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Name: The Hitman Collection
Item: The Hitman Collection
Author: Retro Replay

The Hitman Collection bundles together three classic stealth-action experiences—Hitman: Codename 47, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, and Hitman: Contracts—onto a single DVD, delivering over 30 missions of meticulous, sandbox-style gameplay. From the introduction of Agent 47’s trademark fiber wire and signature Silverballers in Codename 47 to the refined disguises and expanded toolset in Silent Assassin, each installment builds on the core design of strategic infiltration. You’ll learn to study patrol patterns, choose your loadout carefully, and improvise when plans inevitably go awry.

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Silent Assassin represents a significant leap forward, honing the pace and expanding mission variety. Whether you’re sneaking through a Sicilian church to administer a “quiet” intervention or infiltrating a Japanese crime lord’s fortress, the game encourages creativity: kill targets directly, orchestrate accidents, or slip past guards unnoticed. Meanwhile, Contracts injects a darker tone, revisiting and reimagining earlier missions with enhanced level design and occasional sandbox tweaks that reward experimentation over brute force.

What makes the collection truly shine is the freedom it affords: you’re not forced down a single path. Missions can be completed in multiple ways, from high-profile shootouts to subtle poisonings. The AI reacts dynamically, so disguises can slip, alarms can trigger, and backup arrives—keeping tension high. For long-time fans, replayability thrives in the elusive “Silent Assassin” rating, achieved only by executing flawless runs without being detected.

Despite their age, the games maintain surprisingly solid controls and responsive aiming, especially when using a modern mouse-and-keyboard setup. Keyboard shortcuts for tools and quick-save functionality help you recover from mistakes. While some checkpoints can feel unforgiving by today’s standards, mastering the rhythm of infiltration remains deeply satisfying—proof that the Hitman formula remains relevant and engaging even after two decades.

Graphics

Visually, this compilation wears its early-2000s heritage on its sleeve. Hitman: Codename 47 introduces blocky character models and muted textures, reflecting the technical constraints of the time. Still, its rich environments—dimly lit docks, neon-soaked rooftops, and crowded safe houses—evoke a gritty spy thriller atmosphere that complements the gameplay. It’s a raw aesthetic that, for many fans, has become iconic.

Silent Assassin smooths out rough edges with higher-polygon models and more varied lighting effects. Interiors feel warmer and more detailed, from temple halls flickering with candlelight to the sterile corridors of underground laboratories. Contracts, built on the same engine, tweaks shaders and particle systems to add rain-slicked streets and dynamic smoke, lending a noir sensibility that amplifies tension during night-heavy missions.

While high-end PCs of today can’t transform these titles into modern blockbusters, the collection includes support for widescreen resolutions and higher framerates, breathing new life into the environments. Textures can appear soft up close, but thoughtful level design draws your eye from sprawling vistas down to carefully placed props. In many ways, the graphics serve the gameplay rather than overshadow it, reminding players that stealth and strategy come first.

Loading times on the single DVD are surprisingly reasonable, with quick transitions between cutscenes and missions. For purists, the original look and feel is preserved, while newcomers can appreciate the period charm. Mods and community patches further improve anti-aliasing and add minor visual polish, ensuring that the action remains smooth and focused on planning that perfect, undetected kill.

Story

Across the three titles, the overarching narrative follows Agent 47’s transformation from a genetically-engineered assassin to a target of the very organization that created him. Codename 47 kicks off with a shadowy introduction to his origins, weaving sparse cutscenes with mission briefings to build intrigue. Though its storyline is thin by modern standards, the game sets the tone for the series’ blend of cold professionalism and personal mystery.

Silent Assassin deepens this intrigue by introducing allies and shadows from 47’s past. Missions carry a sense of urgency as you strive to maintain cover and uphold a code of honor, even when betrayal lurks around every corner. The game occasionally sacrifices pacing for dense exposition, but the emotional stakes rise as you grapple with loyalties and hidden agendas.

Contracts revisits pivotal moments with a darker, more introspective lens. Flashback missions highlight key turning points in 47’s career, framed by a present-day organ harvest assignment that underscores his role as both predator and prey. The narrative weaves morality and identity into each contract, revealing unexpected vulnerabilities beneath the assassin’s stoic facade.

Overall Experience

The Hitman Collection serves as a comprehensive gateway into the series’ formative years. By packaging three foundational titles on one disc, newcomers can appreciate how stealth mechanics, level design, and storytelling evolved across successive sequels. Seasoned players, meanwhile, enjoy the nostalgia of revisiting familiar missions, this time with post-release insights and strategies in mind.

Installation and setup are streamlined, and the compilation runs smoothly on contemporary systems with minimal tinkering. While you may encounter the occasional glitch in the oldest missions, community support and fan-made patches help iron out most issues. The result is a robust anthology that respects its source material without feeling outdated.

For anyone curious about the roots of modern stealth gaming or fans eager to relive Agent 47’s early exploits, The Hitman Collection is a must-have. Its blend of strategic depth, moody environments, and evolving narrative offers hours of immersive challenge. Whether you’re orchestrating a high-stakes assassination from afar or navigating crowded rooftops under cover of night, the series’ DNA pulses through each title—proving that great design only gets sharper with time.