Hitman 2

The opinions on the story of Hitman 2 are quite varied among the critics. Some positive aspects highlighted include the intriguing dynamic between Agent 47 and Diana Burnwood, as noted by Easy Allies, and the deeper exploration of Agent 47's mysterious origins, as mentioned by PlayStation Universe. Additionally, Digital Trends praises the hidden pasts and unsuspecting twists within the narrative, adding layers of complexity to the storyline. The continuation of the protagonist's background and relationships from the previous game, as pointed out by Softpedia, also adds depth to the overall narrative. On the negative side, several critics express disappointment with the storytelling in Hitman 2. Game Informer criticizes the use of glorified storyboard sequences over actual cutscenes, which they find cheap and unsatisfying. Guardian criticizes the separation of missions by static cutscenes, which they describe as tedious and hard to follow, detracting from the overall experience. Furthermore, Game Revolution feels that the regular story is overly serious and struggles to justify the gameplay, losing out to player-driven narratives. PCGamesN and CGMagazine echo similar sentiments, highlighting the forgettable and uninteresting nature of the story, with PCGamesN noting a lack of charm and humor in the narration. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed reception of Hitman 2's story. While some appreciate the deeper character development and unexpected plot twists, others find the narrative forgettable, convoluted, and lacking in charm. Giant Bomb and TheXboxHub appreciate the development of characters and closure provided by the story, contrasting with opinions from critics like Game Informer and Guardian, who criticize the storytelling techniques used in the game. The varying opinions suggest that while Hitman 2 may offer some engaging narrative elements for certain players, it falls short in delivering a cohesive and universally appealing story for all.

The majority of the critics unanimously praised the gameplay of Hitman 2, highlighting its deep and intricate mechanics that offer players a wide range of options for completing missions. Attack of the Fanboy commends the game for providing "various options for completing missions, including new gadgets and weapons," while Critical Hit mentions the ability to "observe, plan, and eliminate targets in multiple ways." This sentiment is echoed by Game Revolution, which notes the satisfying mix of planning and improvisation, as well as Game Informer, which emphasizes the need for exploration, disguises, and creative executions. The sandbox nature of the game, as mentioned by GamesRadar+ and Guardian, encourages careful planning and rewards player agency, making each level a massive puzzle with infinite possibilities. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, some critics did point out a few drawbacks in Hitman 2's gameplay. Hardcore Gamer notes that while the game offers classic gameplay with improvements like blending into crowds, the subdue system remains finicky. XboxAddict also mentions that the controls need improvement, which could potentially hinder the overall experience for some players. These criticisms, however, are relatively minor compared to the overall acclaim the gameplay received from the majority of reviewers. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the gameplay of Hitman 2. The game is praised for its intricate sandbox environments, creative assassination opportunities, and the variety of ways players can approach missions. The emphasis on stealth, planning, and player agency resonated well with reviewers, with many highlighting the game's replayability and the satisfaction of executing meticulously planned assassinations. GameSpot, in particular, praises the game for offering "real-world-inspired spaces" and multiple solutions to problems, while GameGrin appreciates the improvements like picture-in-picture alerts and the multiplayer Ghost Mode. Hitman 2's gameplay not only builds on its predecessor but also introduces new mechanics and modes that enhance the overall experience, making it a must-play for fans of stealth and strategy games.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Hitman 2 are varied but generally positive. Many critics praised the game for its stunning and detailed environments, with locations described as beautifully crafted sandbox playgrounds. Game Informer noted that the in-game engine looks good, while PlayStation Universe mentioned remarkably detailed environments that enhance the exploration experience. Easy Allies appreciated the complexity and intricacy of the locations, with minor additions like functioning mirrors adding depth and strategy. Additionally, Game Revolution highlighted the levels as realistically handcrafted and feeling like actual living places, with improvements in sneaking mechanics. On the flip side, some critics pointed out certain shortcomings in the graphics and visual design of Hitman 2. COGconnected mentioned instances where the graphics felt lacking, particularly during in-game cinematics. Shacknews and Softpedia noted that the graphics and animation were not particularly stunning, with Softpedia specifically mentioning instances where the graphics seemed cheap. Giant Bomb on both PS4 and Xbox One highlighted slightly less polished production compared to the first game, with rudimentary still images in cutscenes. GameCrate also mentioned inconsistent animations and occasional issues with crowd physics and NPC interactions. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards the positive side, with many praising the game for its detailed and immersive environments, diverse locations, and improved mechanics. However, there are mixed opinions on certain aspects like character models, animations, and cinematic sequences. Critics like Xbox Tavern and XboxAddict highlighted the game as one of the best-looking titles of 2018, with huge maps filled with detail and new mechanics enhancing the visual design. Despite some criticisms, the majority of reviewers found Hitman 2 to be visually engaging and a significant improvement in terms of graphics and visual design compared to its predecessor.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Hitman 2, it is evident that there are several positive aspects highlighted. Hardcore Gamer commends the game for introducing accents in voice acting that enhance immersion, while PlayStation Universe praises the sound design for adding weight to Agent 47's actions and contributing to the immersive experience. GamingTrend also appreciates the top-notch voice acting and effective use of music for tense moments. TheXboxHub specifically mentions the excellent sound design, from the great soundtrack to the atmospheric sounds that help in building tension. XboxAddict further adds to the positives by acknowledging the spot-on voice acting and fitting music tracks that enhance the immersive experience. On the flip side, there are some criticisms regarding the Sound Design and Music of Hitman 2. Wccftech points out that the game's voice acting mostly misses the mark, with specific mention of the New Zealand accents being cringey. This negative feedback contrasts with the positive remarks made by other critics, indicating a discrepancy in the perception of the voice acting quality within the game. Overall, despite some mixed opinions on the voice acting quality, the general consensus among the critics leans towards the positive side for the Sound Design and Music of Hitman 2. The game is praised for its immersive sound design, effective use of music to create tension, and fitting voice acting that enhances the overall experience. Critics like PlayStation Universe, GamingTrend, TheXboxHub, and XboxAddict highlight these strengths, showcasing Hitman 2 as a title that excels in creating a captivating audio atmosphere for players. While there are criticisms, such as those from Wccftech, the overall sentiment suggests that the Sound Design and Music elements contribute positively to the gameplay experience in Hitman 2.

The voice acting in Hitman 2 received a mix of positive feedback from several critics. Game Revolution and Guardian both appreciated Agent 47's deadpan delivery, with Game Revolution noting it as a source of humor and Guardian praising the character's cool one-liners. Xbox Tavern and XboxAddict also highlighted the convincing and spot-on voice work, particularly praising the witty dialogue and deadpan delivery of Agent 47. Additionally, GamingTrend and GameSpot on Xbox One commended the voice acting for making targets annoying and motivating players to eliminate them, showing how the performances enhanced the gameplay experience. On the other hand, there were some criticisms regarding the voice acting in Hitman 2. Wccftech expressed disappointment, mentioning that the game's voice acting mostly missed the mark, particularly pointing out the cringey New Zealand accents. PCGamesN highlighted that while the cutscenes were well-acted, the overall story was considered poe-faced and forgettable, indicating a disconnect between the quality of the performances and the narrative they were supporting. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards positive feedback on the voice acting in Hitman 2. While there were some criticisms, such as Wccftech's disappointment with certain accents and PCGamesN's critique of the story, the majority of reviewers appreciated the performances. The strong points highlighted by critics like GameSpot, Xbox Tavern, and GamingTrend showcase the effectiveness of the voice acting in enhancing the immersive and engaging nature of the game. The varied opinions indicate that while there may be some areas for improvement, the voice acting in Hitman 2 largely succeeded in bringing the characters to life and contributing to the overall experience positively.

In terms of technical performance on the PS4, the majority of critics agree that Hitman 2 runs smoothly with minimal issues. PlayStation Universe notes that the game maintains a steady frame rate and offers a smooth gameplay experience. COGconnected also praises the game for being technically sound with no major issues mentioned. While God is a Geek encountered a few bugs, they attribute it to the detailed environments and consider it expected. Despite some glitches mentioned by Shacknews and Softpedia, the overall sentiment for the PS4 version leans towards positive, highlighting stable performance and enjoyable gameplay, as seen in reviews by Attack of the Fanboy and GamesRadar+. On the downside, some critics point out specific technical issues with the PS4 version of Hitman 2. GameGrin mentions long loading times, which can impact the overall experience. Hardcore Gamer criticizes the online-centric features that lead to frustrating load times and the always online requirement affecting the primarily single-player experience. PlaySense highlights matchmaking problems in Ghost mode, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. These critiques suggest that while the PS4 version generally performs well, there are certain technical aspects that could be improved to enhance the player experience, as highlighted by critics like Hardcore Gamer and PlaySense. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of Hitman 2 across different gaming platforms is somewhat mixed. While the PS4 version generally receives positive feedback for stable performance and smooth gameplay, there are occasional mentions of glitches and technical issues that impact the overall experience, as noted by various critics like GameGrin and Wccftech. The Xbox One X version, as praised by CGMagazine, stands out for running at a rock-solid framerate, indicating a strong performance on that platform. However, criticisms from XGN regarding bugs and glitches affecting the gameplay experience on PC suggest room for improvement in terms of optimization. Despite some technical hiccups across platforms, the overall sentiment leans towards an enjoyable gameplay experience with Hitman 2, with the potential for future updates to address any existing issues, as highlighted by critics like TheXboxHub and XGN.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the replay value of Hitman 2, it is evident that the majority of critics found the game to offer exceptional replayability. Positives highlighted by the critics include the diverse range of options and challenges available in the game. COGconnected praises the game for its variety in starting outfits, locations, equipment, and challenges, which contribute to a rich gameplay experience. Game Informer notes the wealth of challenges and gameplay improvements that make replaying levels more enticing. Additionally, Game Debate commends the game for providing many hours of gameplay on each level, emphasizing the depth of content that keeps players engaged. On the other hand, some critics pointed out potential negatives related to Hitman 2's replay value. Hardcore Gamer mentions that while the game offers a solid assortment of missions, it may not reach the same highs as the previous season, leaving players wanting more. Furthermore, Easy Allies, while acknowledging the countless ways to assassinate targets after completing main missions, does not delve into any specific drawbacks related to the game's replayability. This lack of detailed critique may suggest a lack of depth in their analysis of the game's replay value. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the replay value of Hitman 2. The game is lauded for its high level of replayability, with critics such as God is a Geek emphasizing the challenges, unlocks, and multiple playthroughs required to fully explore each mission. The inclusion of additional modes like Ghost Mode and Sniper Challenge, as highlighted by Digital Trends, further enhances the game's longevity and engagement. The seamless integration of content from the previous game, as mentioned by Giant Bomb and Xbox Tavern, adds value for returning players. In conclusion, Hitman 2 emerges as a title that excels in providing a rich and varied gameplay experience that encourages players to revisit missions, experiment with different approaches, and uncover new possibilities, solidifying its status as a game with exceptional replay value.