Analysing Every Episode of Hitman's First Season

(Review copy for the full experience provided in March 2016 by Squenix PR, for disclosure and all that)
TIMESTAMPS:
Design Overview: 1:15
Tutorial Stages: 3:10
Paris: 7:56
Sapienza: 18:22
Marrakesh: 28:14
Bangkok: 34:58
Colorado: 39:38
Hokkaido: 45:05
Conclusions: 51:30
Given that Hitman was easily my game of 2016, as well as the fact that the Complete First Season is getting a disc release on the 31st of January, I thought I'd do something a lil bit different for the channel. In the longest episode of Writing on Games yet, I decided to analyse every episode of last year's release in terms of map and mission design to see which levels best compliment Hitman's unique design.
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Link to the other videos in this series (including Hitman 3)! bit.ly/3ALu1t7
Patreon - / writingongames
Podcast (iTunes) - itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
Podcast (RSS) - writingongamescast.libsyn.com/rss
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Thank you all SO much for your continued support. Whether you support the Patreon, subscribed or just watch the video, I just want to say thank you-people like you are changing my life for the better every day.
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Also, for those curious about the channels I mention at the end, here they are:
Joseph Anderson - / @josephandersonchannel
thinreaper - / thinreaper
ShayMay - / heyshaymay
Matthewmatosis - / matthewmatosis
Novacanoo - / @novacanoo

[@Link75757]

I really enjoyed the video, but I can't help but notice just how many non-targets you kill during the gameplay...

[@realCyng]

Love hitman and hitman 2, but I can't help but feel sad that these games really haven't gotten the attention they deserve. People just won't give it a chance after absolution and the always online, episodic outrage. Hitman 2 is the best of the series imo and is one of the few medium-large games without any corporate nonsense muddying it. There's only two cosmetic DLCs, the two big ones coming out are going to be massive expansions with multiple bonus missions, and the online modes are treated as fun side modes to mess about with friends in like good old multiplayer was. I'm so worried that low profits will lead to IO getting acquired by a publisher that'll ruin all that though...

[@SpinningTurtle66]

Almost every clip has

[@moominfella7614]

"i realized this was hitman I was playin"

[@questreality8262]

Alright honestly how the guy plays it just killing random people just gets me mad. But other than that good video

[@Calum_Bell_]

I’ve got to say, intended or not, having to think of the AI as exactly that, AI systems that you have to manipulate and not human beings is really clever because in game, 47 probably also views them more as obstacles than as actual humans.

[@LudovicLorant]

You have to stop killing every non target you see please :D

[@starlordawe2499]

This game is not about being out of sight it’s about being out of mind

[@RedRiverChannel]

The biggest dissapointment is the poor AI.

[@m.g1797]

What are you hoping for in Hitman season 2? Personally a mission in a jail would be pretty cool.

[@minch333]

I really don't have the hour to watch this right now.

[@idodamari9118]

I renember when first playing Marekesh some npc says that the riots are a rock throw away from violence... so I threw a brick at one of the guards and got shot to death.

[@PlutoDarknight]

To be fair, I feel like the opportunity system is supposed to be more of a story-like approach to the mission. Of course, it's incredibly convenient at times that you're just left alone with your target but it feels a lot like some of the older games did. Also, the opportunities are often times well designed in their way to have 47 approach his targets from rather unusual angle (also shows how many bald people the VIPs surround themselves with), be it pretending to be a therapist or a drummer. It also gives a sort of insight into some of the more mundane and kinda trivial talents that 47 possesses, I mean he knows how to perform as a proper drummer, he could teach yoga, he is basically a man for everything from what we learn through these little opportunities. It also gives a starting point for newer players to kinda show themselves the level design, the acting of the key targets, the possible points at which a kill is most likely going to work in your favor.

[@Meike164]

Hokkaido is a piece of art. It's the first map I've gotten mastery 20 on as i felt like it was cohesive, interactive and puzzling at the same time.

[@WritingOnGames]

For the people asking-I just tried out Professional difficulty on Paris for the first time. I think I love it. EVERYTHING about the map has changed, so all the tutorial stuff like waiter disguises that you could rely on for repeat playthroughs are just straight up gone. Think it's going to take me a couple of days just to fully consider my approach. Makes me want to get full mastery on the other missions too. If you have 20 mastery on any of the maps, I'd highly recommend trying it out.

[@itsyaboitavino3273]

Guy in a tuxedo puts pills into someone’s drink: PANIK

[@egirlSkeletor]

Re 47's characterization, its always been there in a subtle way. Noth he and Diana have a certain dark humor, and many of the methods he kills with betray suggest a fondness for poetic justice and irony. Hell his alias is Tobias Rieper.

[@Krautvault]

For a one hour video this was surprisingly digestable. Takes a lot of discipline and focus to structure a video of that scope so well, great work!

[@mikey4483]

The Devs of this game deserve so much credit. Seem like they thought of everything. Not since the MGS franchise have we seen a game like this.

[@kevandre]

I actually love the mission stories/opportunities. It helps me to learn more about the AI in each level