IO Interactive officially pulls the curtain back on Hitman 2.
The game is a direct sequel to the 2016 version of Hitman and will be a full-blown release instead of the episodic content of the previous title.
“We are very proud to announce Hitman 2 as the next exciting chapter in our ever-expanding world of assassination. Building on the success of our previous game, Hitman 2 introduces exciting new features, new modes, and franchise firsts to make for a larger and richer game,” said Hakan Abrak, CEO of IO Interactive. “We couldn’t have wished for a better partner than Warner Bros. to bring this game to our passionate community and introduce new players to our universe. Welcome back 47!”
The trailer features a narration by famed actor Sean Bean, and showcases Agent 47 doing what he does best, finding stealthy and non-stealthy ways to kill his target, a race-car driver Sierra Knox and her father Robert in the middle of a Formula-1 race in the middle of Miami, Florida.
Agent 47 will as always have multiple ways to take down his targets, from using high tech weapons, disguises, and even improvised weapons such as fish and statue heads. IO Interactive is planning to continue with their live content, including the returning contract mode and new gameplay modes planned at and after launch.
Three different versions on Steam have been listed as well. A standard edition priced at $59.99, a Silver Edition for $79.99 and a Gold Edition for $99.99. The Silver Edition will include the Executive Pack and Hitman: Sniper Assassin, a new gameplay mode that also incorporates another first for the game, co-op play. The Silver Edition will also get the first Expansion for Hitman 2 included, which adds a whole new location, missions, sniper map, outfits and weapons.
The Gold Edition includes all of those bonuses, plus a second expansion and early access four days before the game launches.
Those who pre-order now will get access to Sniper Assassin mode immediately. A second trailer for Sniper Assassin mode was released to coincide with the announcement of Hitman 2. Players can play in solo as Agent 47, or as two new co-op characters, Stone and Knight. Co-op play also adds elements of strategy, as Stone and Knight share ammo and have different abilities when playing together. Stone and Knight, for example, both have color-coded "tags" they can mark on enemies, while certain weapon and ammo types are exclusive to a single character.
The gameplay demo of Sniper Assassin noted that each level has main and side targets, all to score massive amounts of points. There are also a ton of challenges and hidden missions and targets in each level. Shooting some items, like garden gnomes and beer bottles, can net challenges and help unlock new items, ammunition and even perks for your characters. Players need to be careful though, targeting innocent civilians will lose players points, and too much damage will cause a mass panic that will lead to characters fleeing scene. Each fleeing guard who escapes costs players points, and if a main target escapes the players lose the level.
Hitman 2 is scheduled for release on November 13th, 2108 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
What are your thoughts on Hitman 2? Please leave your comments below and make sure to check out the rest of our E3 2018 coverage here.
