Hitman is a stealth video game franchise developed by the Danish developer IO Interactive, and previously published by Eidos Interactive and Square Enix. Main games in the Hitman series are set in semi-open world environments and presented from the third-person perspective, and have players eliminate...
Hitman is a stealth video game franchise developed by the Danish developer IO Interactive, and previously published by Eidos Interactive and Square Enix. Main games in the Hitman series are set in semi-open world environments and presented from the third-person perspective, and have players eliminate specific targets assigned to them while trying to remain as stealthy as possible by various means; these include taking disguises, hiding from suspicious enemies, and using suppressed weaponry. Originating as a clone who was genetically-engineered to maintain peak human physicality and intelligence, be easy to control, and display a cold and monotone personality, 47 is regarded as the best assassin in the world. Each game features different story arcs which, while not interconnected for the most part, do take place in the same continuity, and serve to develop 47's background, humane side, and relationships with recurring characters. The main games in the Hitman series have received generally positive reviews for their unique approach to stealth gameplay and highly competent artificial intelligence. Dietz, and Hitman: Damnation by Raymond Benson; a graphic novel, Agent 47: Birth of a Hitman, which serves as a prequel to the series; and two negatively received theatrical films, Hitman and Hitman: Agent 47 , which share no narrative connections with the game series. The first installment in the Hitman series, subtitled Codename 47 in reference to the protagonist, was developed by IO Interactive and published by Eidos Interactive for Microsoft Windows in November 2000. It introduced some of the basic gameplay elements of the series, such as the open ended levels and the use of disguises to access otherwise unavailable areas. In the game's storyline, Agent 47 escapes from the facility of his creator, and is hired by the ICA, who assign him contracts to assassinate various wealthy and decadent criminals across the globe. While these targets are seemingly unrelated at first, it is soon revealed that they all played a role in 47's creation. The first sequel in the series was developed by IO Interactive and published by Eidos Interactive for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and Xbox in October 2002, and GameCube in June 2003. Gameplay has been improved compared to the predecessor, removing the action-focused segments, and introducing new features, such as the option for a first-person view, the ability to incapacitate enemies instead of killing them, and missions with multiple possible approaches. When Vittorio is kidnapped by unknown assailants, 47 resumes work for the ICA in hopes of tracking him down. Hitman: Contracts was developed by IO Interactive and published by Eidos Interactive for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 and Xbox in April 2004.