• Pick up contracts in exotic locations around the globe: Sicily, St. Petersburg, Japan, Malaysia, and India.

• Operate in a non-linear world where the outcome of your actions and proficiency as a hitman are measured on a balance between stealth and aggression.

• Stalk and eliminate your targets up close and personal, in either 1st or 3rd person perspectives.

• Execute your assignments with a diverse arsenal of equipment, from armor-piercing sniper rifles and explosives to chloroform and poison darts.

• Acquire and carry weapons and tools from mission to mission through an enhanced inventory and save-game system.

I just cannot stress enough how satisfying this purchase was to me and just think...I had never even saw the game in action before I bought it (except for the T.V commercial) nor did I take a chance on a rental (which all serious game buyers know is taking a great risk); Still, There was something attracting to me about the promotional poster for this game in the store before it was even released.

I took the chance and wound up with a solid gem to add to my small but growing collection of PSX2 games. I must admit as some of the other reviewers here have stated...Yes...At first the controls were a little frustating and confusing to learn but if you take the time and really try to like the game I am willing to guarantee that any gamer who likes action/adventure/stealth/horror-type games just simply cant go wrong with Hitman 2 Silent Assassin.

All of the essential elements for a great game are in Hitman 2.....Interesting storyline,Unique characters,Excellent 3D graphics in 1st & 3rd person view that accomodate the locations of places such as Sicily,India,Japan,Malaysia & more. Last but not least let's not forget the soundtrack that sets the tone and closes the cipher of this wonderful gaming experience which was conducted by the Budapest Radio Symphony Orchestra. This music lets you know from the jump that this game is not for kids but totally for the action junkie adults such as myself that have a passion for this kind of game.

The weapontry ranges from Fiber Wires (used for strangling), small Revolvers to Crossbows to Fire Axes to Sniper rifles to AK's & M16's this game has it all. They all look and sound realistic and the game developers didn't fail to demonstrate small but technical things that the trained gamer will notice such as gun blowback or the impact of the Deagle's slug sending an adversary flying back 8 to 10 feet or more depending on the situation at hand.

Another important aspect which I would like to mention are the graphics and surroundings. As I stated in my last review, The environments are HUGE and there are MANY different ways to complete a mission....Even after playing the game numerous times and memorizing exactly where everything is you can change up your execution plans and try different routes to deliver different outcomes which gives you endless possibilities of completing a level in countless ways...Honestly,Could any serious gamer ask for better that this??? You would have to search hard and I mean Damn hard because this is as great as it comes.

You will guide Agent 47 (Hitman) through the beautiful garden and enormous Cathedral of Sicily on to Russia's St.Petersburg. The architecture is very nice ot these stages but the true beauty of graphics in this game really start to show in Japan with the Ninja snipers camping out in the Pagoda temples waiting for you to make one wrong move. Agent 47 is decked out in snow boots and an eskimo coat with fur around the collar in the middle of a snowstorm and faces several Ninjas armed with anything from Katana Swords to AK's & Sniper rifles.

Malaysia is also nice graphically & Nuristan definately gives you that Middle-Eastern feel with the mosaics on temple arches complete with Arabic scribed along the walls and the turban wearing soldiers and vendors scavaging about but once I made it to India and saw the jaw dropping graphics there, I knew this game was now #1 on my long list of LIFETIME favorites!!!

Hopefully you will be able to tell by my enthusiasm for this game that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to any hardcore gamer who loves action or tactical espionage. You simply can't go wrong here. This is a definate classic!

P.S. Some may consider this title to be a little on the edge with it's graphic violent nature but keep in mind that IT IS RATED "M" for "Mature" which means it was made for the mature grownup adult such and not for your 9-14 year old kids & children.

My last words are......DON'T SLEEP ON THIS ONE GAMERS! DO YOURSELF AND YOUR COLLECTION A FAVOR AND COP THIS GAME FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:


47's right on target  Oct 19, 2002
Hitman 2 for the PS2 is a game which makes a fine addition to anyone's game collection, a true masterpiece. The basic story of the game goes as follows: 47, who is a genetically engineered hit man trying to escape from his past by living as a gardener at a church in Sicily is the main character. 47's past is thrust back upon him when his friend who is the priest of the church is kidnapped and 47 must once again pick up his guns and go out in search for his friend by doing "jobs" for the Agency. Playing as the hitman, 47, you'll embark upon assignments which span a wide variety of world locales.

Unlike in most video games, 47 is actually interesting for a videogame character and what makes him interesting is that he exhibits nuances to the hit man profession which give him certain character contradictions. For example, (which I thought was beautiful) in the first cut scene 47 makes the sign of the cross before embarking upon his assassination mission. Other images such as the three crosses that rise up in the background as 47 departs on foot after the first mission or the rosary beads intertwined with 47's custom .45s gives the character a unique aspect to his profession.

The environmental graphics and character models are nothing short of superb. A noteworthy element that's been implemented into the character models is that there is no standard death animation. Their bodies will react differently depending on where you shoot them and with what. Another nice thing is that the AI is some of the best I've ever seen, you'll actually sweat it out walking into the lion's den to carry out your assignment.

The realism though is what composes the very soul of this game. One of the many factors of this realism is that you simply can't tuck that sniper rifle into your coat like on other games and expect to walk by the guards unnoticed. Plus, if you take a civilian's clothing the player will have to consider the fact that the average civilian doesn't pack a silenced 9mm everywhere he goes, so the player is forced to avoid confrontations with any guards in that respect. And believe me, the guards check!

As I said earlier, a true masterpiece (not just the game but the music too) which should not be missed by anybody! The subject matter may be controversial to some people but it's that subject matter which gives a breath of fresh air to the genre of stealth action games; even if 47 is preparing to cut that air off with his fiber wire! This is NOT a rental, BUY it, you won't regret it.

20 of 22 found the following review helpful:


Gameplay lasts even when it's over.  Oct 07, 2002 By Matty U!
This game is perfect. As a hitman, you have a series of missions throughout the world -- Sicily, St. Petersburg, Japan, Malaysia, Nuristan, and India.. It's not just one mission per zone either (something along the lines of 20-25 missions, I don't remember exactly), the storyline is pretty good the music is just beautiful (I wouldn't mind a soundtrack of the game music) and the missions are excellent. What's best is that even though we've beat the game, we still can go back and replay missions to achieve higher stealth. The difficulty levels (normal, expert, and professional) are well thought out as well, forcing you into stealthier and more highly developed executions of the missions. All around, one of the best games I have played.

12 of 13 found the following review helpful:


Guess Who's Back in Town...  Mar 06, 2004 By Michael Crane
The video gaming industry continues to grow and grow, and this game is proof of that. With gorgeous graphics and a wildly structured game play experience, "Hitman 2: Silent Assassin" for PS2 is an interesting game that is unpredictable and overall satisfying. You never know what will happen next once you pop this game into your PS2 console.

You are a legendary assassin, only known as "47." People have no idea if you're real or only a myth. Your violence is well known in the world of crime. But, you've been out of the professional killing occupation for quite some time, trying to find redemption and peace. You hope you can start a new life and do good instead of bad. Things change when your pal, a friendly priest who does his best to guide you into a better life, is kidnapped by a notorious crime family and is holding him for ransom. Now, you must reluctantly dig up your past as a notorious killer and do what you do best. You'll have to work on a various assortment of missions if you hope to get your friend back alive. It's time to show this crime family that it was a big mistake to get Agent 47 upset--VERY upset.

The game is very entertaining and fun. While it may not be as addicting as "Grand Theft Auto 3" or games like that, it still opens your curiosity to a breed of game playing that you have never experienced before. The missions are open, for the most part, and offer a number of ways for you to carry them out. You can be a stealth ghost, or a madman killer with violent outbursts. Be forewarned that a lot of the missions require care and speed. Too much of a violent outburst from you can cost you the mission--or worse, your life. You have an assortment of weapons at your disposal (a cool one is the fiber wire that allows you to "quietly" shut up your enemies), and you are able to assume the identity of your most unfortunate victims.

The controls take a bit of time to get used to, but you get familiar with it all the more you play it. The graphics are absolutely beautiful, leaving it easy for you to get quickly sucked into your surroundings. A downfall of the game is that it is a very strategic game, meaning that you can't just always run out with guns blazing. This is usually the type of gaming I like, so it's taking me a while to get used to it. The difficulty of the game is pretty tough, no matter what difficulty settings you have it on. Some may find this extremely frustrating while others may find it satisfying. It all depends on what kind of a gamer you are; the strategic kind, or the violent maniac kind.

Be warned; this is in no way a game for YOUNGER PLAYERS. The game is rated "M" for "Mature," and it is rated that for good reason. Not only does it involve you being a cold killer, but the game also includes strong language, violence, and mature themes and situations. This is definitely not for children. This game is intended for older players and adults.

Overall, "Hitman 2: Silent Assassin" for the PS2 is a pretty good time, offering you a different type of a video game experience. While it may be a tough and complicated game to get used to, it's still a fun time and offers a unique style of gaming. What will you do, Agent 47? Are you ready to go back to the violent life that you swore to leave? If you want you buddy back alive and unharmed, you're going to have to put your game face on and return to the deadly and violent life of contract killing. It's time to put the fear back into those who wish to do you harm. It's time to reopen shop and be back in business. -Michael Crane

14 of 16 found the following review helpful:


To kill or not to kill....  Oct 07, 2002 By Peter Deitenbeck
I've read a few reviews stating that the 'gun-blazer' types won't like this game. That is not at all true. You can take any level by force if you wish. Once you've built up a solid repertoire of weapons you can annihilate even the hardest levels without any sneaking at all. The beauty of the game is that you don't have to destroy everything. You can slither around, picking off your targets, and even a few innocent bystanders if you want to be nasty. Or you can practice what weapons go with which disguise, so that you're not noticed. *The enemy will notice you if you've got the right uniform with the wrong weapon. That's what gives for great replay ability, once you've beat the game you can repeat each level trying to improve your stealth ratings and achieve a 'hitman' status. I would recommend this game to anyone who is a serious gamer, who likes clean, crisp, digital graphics, and solid, challenging gameplay.

LIKES

*some of the best graphics for playstation 2
*challenging gameplay
*high replay value
*being a master of disguise
*wide variety of weapons
*innocent bystanders can be killed

DISLIKES
*too easy on beginner level
*too short
*cheesball dialogue, and bad voice acting
*no manual vehicle operation

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