| Hitman: Blood Money | 
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| From: Eidos Interactive
Category: Video Games
List Price: $19.99
Buy Used: $4.33
You Save: $15.66 (78%)
New (19) Used (11) from $4.33
Avg. Customer Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 3419
Format: Cd-rom
Platform: Windows Xp
ESRB: Mature
Media: DVD-ROM
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Age: 17 - 20 years
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.4 x 1.3
MPN: SHTBMPUSOO
Model: SSNOWPUS00
UPC: 788687100458
EAN: 8716051018100
ASIN: B0009V9OY8
Release Date: May 30, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Excellent game; lot of fun July 9, 2006
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
Excellent game play
Some problems with driver for graphic card.
 Linear is, as linear does? June 26, 2006
7 out of 13 found this review helpful
This being my first experience with Hitman, but a huge fan of stealth games, I wasn't sure what to expect. I've thoroughly enjoyed and beaten series (all titles) like Splinter Cell and Thief, to name two.
My love of stealth games comes from the pure ecstasy of silently robbing and killing unaware victims, so logically speaking, Hitman should fit like a glove. However, I was disappointed to find that most of Hitman is about as linear as it gets.
However, that is not to say Hitman is all bad, not at all. But lets go over the bad first...
1) Got an idea? Don't try it. The game is one big puzzle, from the first level your job is to pick up the pieces and put them where they belong. While I'd like to say this game requires no thought, in reality, it's at the other end of the spectrum, as there is no end to questions like, "What now?", "What the heck do I do with this?", and "Omg why are 43 guys charging toward me?!?"
Errors lead to a most certain domino effect. I quickly resorted to online walk throughs and the likes to point me in the right direction. Unfortunately, I found I had to follow the walk through point by point (something I despise) otherwise I'd be faced with open assault from nearly every NPC on site. Being that I bought the game for STEALTH, I wasn't looking to employ Doom3 tactics. While I've never been the best detective, I could never stop wondering how, without the guide, one would be brought to the proper conclusions to look and use items in their proper spot. Your objectives do not hint toward it.
2) Graphics. As others have said, this isn't F.E.A.R. quality, but that isn't always required. Personally, I take gameplay and storylines over top notch graphics (not to imply this game has either). However, you will be pleased.
3) Guns. They're great! Lots to choose from, great customizations... Only problem is that Shotguns can almost never be used in conjunction with stealth (they're 2 handed and can not be hidden on your person, thus you hold it plainly in your hands, heh) and silenced weapons still draw attentions from those out of earshot. Sniper rifle, though two handed, has a case, which I love to walk around with. Great realism here, as using the rifle requires that you first open the case and assemble the rifle (pretty quick, but cool).
3) Gameplay. Personally, for me it was ruined by the need of the guide. I'd consistantly try to stray from it, but would be met with failure. If you don't mind sacrificing the stealth aspect, gunning down opponents can be great fun. =)
4) COSTUMES! Excellent idea. One minute your a guy in a suit, next your a guard, after that, some kind of scientist. By changing clothes you temporarily fool people into believing you are whatever your jacket says. Only flaw is that when you "blow your cover" (which can happen if a body is found, etc) you will be detected. I call this a "flaw" because although you might be dressed as a scientist, and near the end of the level, a guard found at the beginning will signal NPCs to charge you.
5) Realism. Most of this game is VERY realistic, especially consequences. Actions will cause suspecision, bodies need to be hidden, costumes need to be changed accordingly. Though more interactivity would have been appreciated, the only thing that disturbs the peaceful realism is your bald head and the barcode on the back. Few costumes include hats, so one is forced to wonder why they never notice.
6) YOU MADE THE NEWS! One of the best features. After each level you are given the front page of the newspaper reporting your crime. How well you commit the crime affects what the paper reports. Articles will report things like how many were killed, shots fired (whether few bullets were wasted, or you sprayed the whole facility), how many witnesses left the scene alive and a sketch of what they think you look like, based on witness reports! Very cool addition, enjoyable to read, and I'm told it also hints about your next assignment.
7) Notoriety! The more witnesses you leave alive, the more money you'll be spending in bribes. There are three different bribes ranging from threatening witnesses to bribing the police chief. Though no mission or minigame is associated with this feature, it helps control the level of heat your presence generates. At 0 notoriety you walk in and out, no problems. At 100, it's like Cheers, everyone knows your name. You walk in and get shot at. In between you risk having a person here or there ask you, "Haven't I seen you before?"
8) Game length. It took me roughly 8 hours to beat the game. Without the guide, I probably would have gotten fed up and stopped playing. I spent two hours on the opera stage experimenting (this is the first time I've EVER followed a guide through the whole game, and it wasn't cool), until I gave in and gave up using any stealth tactics that work in virtually every other stealth game.
In conclusion I would have prefered a more open style of game play, which required less detective work and more tactic. I was annoyed to find that even simple tasks such as cutting a cord and having an object fall on a victim, were made difficult by frequent misses (they aren't always standing still), and the need to reload. Certain game actions interrupt the movie clips that signal you to press the detonator, or move to the next section, and once you're detected, recovering cover is diffuclt at best, and requires a reload at worst.
SAVE OFTEN! Happy gaming. :)
Fun! June 23, 2006
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
I'm a big fan of any shooter game involving professional killing and the Hitman series has definatly taken the cake. Hitman: Blood Money offers a whole new realm of excitement and anticipation. You have to have patience to play a game like this.
The graphics are excellent but they do require a heavy system to reach it's full potential.
Well Done! June 21, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I love the 47 series and have been playing them since the start, and each one gets better and better. This game sort of stands alone in the series of Hitman. The game has many ways to complete objectives which = replay value. The AI is better, the close combat is greatly improved, and I love the upgrades to the weapons with pregression through levels.
This game is a must have for any fan of the hitman series!
The few gripes I have about the game is that the collosion is horrible as well as the rag doll. The sound is mediocre, and the overall game play is good. The game could have been made a little better with more interaction with the environment, but overall this is a great game.
 Best Hitman to date June 18, 2006
I had a lot of fun with this one.....and contrary to what some reviewers are saying, if this game was a port, I couldn't tell. It looked quite well made to me, and had very high production values (along with yet another killer soundtrack by Jesper Kyd).
The real value here is in the gameplay, which is compelling and extremely well executed....a huge interaction interface improvement over Silent Assassin. Multipathing is excellent, and enhances replay value.
The basic plot this time is quite interesting as well, and keeps you wanting to play to the end to the greatest Hitman final level ever conceived....play it to find out what happens.
Performance was more than passable, and graphics more than good. You don't need a particularly beefy PC to play this, in fact I have dual video cards and played it fine with nary a hitch on just one single card.
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