#4: A Murder of Crows [Hitman: Blood Money]
Hitman: Blood Money plays around with the Hitman formula in A Murder of Crows. Instead of killing a politician, Agent 47 is tasked with defending him against a cabal of killers — three costumed enemies that will kill your VIP during a crowded Mardi Gras parade. There’s nothing more thrilling than hunting the hunters during a raucous city-wide celebration. You’ll have to move fast to stop the assassination. And there are multiple ways to do it.
You can lure one of assassins into alleys an drop a hanging piano on their heads — yes, really. Or, you can intervene at the money exchange and stop the assassination entirely, giving yourself more time to find the killers in New Orleans. There are more interesting little details too. Because you’re facing a rival assassin organization, one of the killers knows all about Agent 47 and can spot him even if he’s in disguise. If one of the assassins is killed and discovered, the boss of the operation will order the hit whether they’ve been paid or not. And the massive crowds of NPCs — a staple of future Hitman games — started right here.
#3: Situs Inversus [HITMAN]
When I first played with level, I was so overwhelmed — and it still overwhelms me to this day. It’s easily the most complicated Hitman level to date, and it’s all due to the unique door mechanism of the Hokkaido hospital. Built onto a mountain with massive hotel suites, the spa / clinic treats only the richest clients in the world. Doors aren’t unlocked with keys, but with IR chips embedded in the different uniforms. That means you’ll have to keep swapping to fully understand the layout of this level.
There are some amazing missions stories here too. The VIP is getting a heart transplant in the main surgery theater — you can sabotage the robotic surgeon, or you can enter the cold storage and destroy the donor heart. When that donor heart is destroyed, it’s game over instantly for your target. He’s dead and he doesn’t even know it yet.
The Hitman countdown continues on the next page.
