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

[@minch333]

I really don't have the hour to watch this right now. *watches it anyway*

[@WritingOnGames]

I for one am very happy you spared the hour you don't have.

[@minch333]

Me too! Great vid pal

[@r1l426]

@@minch333 if you don't have an hour, put the speed on 2x

[@htcmlcrip]

Wait... lucky you. Let's do some maths. Theres 24 hours a day. You got none left means now you have 0 hours left. But you watch it anyways. That means you actually had a 25 hour day ...

[@SpinningTurtle66]

Almost every clip has *”NON-TARGET KILLED”* in the top left

[@thomasmaiolino]

Thats the right side

[@nuv2987]

When I play, the first 3 times I play a mission it’s for getting a direct feel and understanding of it. The next 5-10 (the numbers vary) are doing challenges and Silent Assassin runs. After all the challenges I want done are done, all escalations I want to do are competed, and all challenge packs I want to do are done, I just fool around every other time I play the mission. Unless a future escalation or challenge pack releases. Then I complete it, then more fooling around.

[@FxSxRxZ]

@anomie nous yeah i'm sat behind my monitor, so it's on the left side

[@TheGamerRist]

After I read that, I scrolled back up to the video and yep it is there.

[@TheGamerRist]

@GrabberBythePuss It's funny

[@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. I guess thats why the riot is soo calm :/

[@when_life_gives_you_limes]

Diana said that to 47 during the briefing of the mission. lol

[@perison4611]

@@when_life_gives_you_limes She's technically a npc

[@livingcorpse5664]

Something I feel the Siberia level in the Sniper Assassin mode fixes. The moment you shoot a guard into the courtyard, set a building on fire or shoot a lock the prisoners explode into riot mode almost in that instant.

[@baboomka]

@@perison4611 i think she's more of a narrator rather than an actual npc, because she desn't appear anywhere in the game except cutscenes

[@perison4611]

@@baboomka yeah that's fair now thinking about it

[@moominfella7614]

"i realized this was hitman I was playin" *inmediately kills an innocent doctor*

[@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.

[@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.

[@Link75757]

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

[@Insaneian]

I was just coming here to say this. Holy shit. His end-level ranking must be awful.

[@deepthoughts2893]

it kinda hurts

[@soap3795]

@@deepthoughts2893 just a little

[@borismuller86]

Rocco didn’t need to die 😭

[@liamvogl1703]

@@borismuller86 all he had to do was put some pants on smh 😢

[@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.

[@dionysues7449]

I have to keep reminding myself after watching one of your videos that you don't even have 30k subs yet... I mean how in the hell is that possible!? so much polish to your work man. Keep it up :D

[@VNReader]

Are you ever going to talk about the bonus missions? They completely justify the overly large maps of Sapienza and especially Marrakesh. A House Built On Sand is easily one of my favourite missions in the game and it's because it plays to the strengths of Marrakesh rather than ignoring them. Landslide (and to a lesser degree The Icon) also completely justify the large town for Sapienza and it completely changes my opinion of Sapienza's expansive design.

[@rocketpunchgo1]

Never saw this channel before. 10 minutes into this video. SUBSCRIBED.

[@tevinjordan2118]

Writing on Games with professional mode the tension is on.. with only one save and hightened alertness of NPC's definitely for the emersion of being a professional hitman

[@tevinjordan2118]

Fair enough the same challenges and meager rewards for professional mode is disappointing..But I like the added difficulty at least initially..Once you play it enough that novelty wears

[@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...

[@chevyfan029]

Baeagon am I the only one that loved absolution? I thought the design and aesthetic was fantastic

[@limpis2823]

I dont think so, WB games are probably better than squarenix and will understand that this game is more of a "niche" title. The core fanbase will most likely stay loyal and purchase their stuff as long as they get treated well. The cosmetic dlc in hitman 2016 got released due to squarenix dropping ioi as a studio because "low sales numbers". But that was right after the episodic thingy. And they needed some income to stay afloat while looking for a new publisher. I also think that the move to WB games was better because they will give more time. Hitman 2016 was originally going to be released with 3 maps each month(so episodic was going to last 2 months). But ofcourse they didn't get enough time and the one episode per month fucked it up. Today I generally see more and hear more about the game since its release and I know of more people that never played a hitman game that are interested in purchasing it. I know for a fact that if you come in to the game open minded and give it some time it's a real blast. It's insane value for your money even if its "only 6 maps" + legacy. The complaint about this being too similar 2 hitman 2016 it totally invalid if you knew that this is season 2. Guess they could not call it that or something. If you want to do your part purchase their DLC if you find it interesting. So if maybe buy the season pass,its a good deal and great way to support them.

[@WarLasso]

As far as I know, neither Hitman nor Hitman 2 have sold poorly... But of course, like Jim Sterling says, big publishers will never be happy unless they have literally *all* the money in the world. On the other hand, this series will never have the numbers of a AAA like CoD or something like that; not only because stealth games are not that popular, but because in this particular case, you need to invest A TON of hours replaying each scenario again and again. I mean, if you take it just like a conventional story-driven game, you kill your targets once and you finish the game in a couple of days, and of course you end up disappointed because "it's a very short game". You gotta be a hardcore fan of stealth games, play many times each scenario trying different approaches, experimenting and completing challenges, that's the only way, in my opinion, of really enjoying 100% the game. Anyway, I really hope IO keep giving love to this series because it's one of my favorites, I never get tired of it.

[@zemaculate]

A publisher like maybe Square Enix??

[@nuv2987]

I personally feel Hitman 2 is the *BEST HITMAN GAME EVER MADE!* But like you said, after the criticism with Absolution and Hitman 2016’s episodic feature, no one will give it a chance. Although another Absolution is coming never and Hitman 2 isn’t episodic, the developers said so before release. It’s sad. I feel the Hitman series was always underrated, at least as underrated as Fortnite is overrated.

[@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.

[@COOLMCDEN]

I think he still has emotions but is trained to hide them since he was a child.

[@pieniaurinko]

@@COOLMCDEN I think one of the later additions to Hitman 2, the Isle of Sgail one, showed a cutscene that pretty much put paid to that idea. Supposedly his emotions as well as his memories were taken away through the use of a serum when he was a child.

[@apollosinner]

The characteristics have always been there, it’s just incredibly subtle because 47 is, in the most practical sense, a tool. That irony, poetic justice and dark humour is all just a part of his character. I know people don’t like Absolution, but it’s easily the game that gives him the most characterisation other than Silent Assassin.

[@TheHylianJuggalo]

I always considered the cannon assassinations the ones where he confronts people directly. Like giving Janus the health check or shooting Jordan in the chair after having him listening to the tape of Hannah Or confronting Montgomery in the club office in Berlin

[@zombifiedpariah7392]

Was that English?

[@TheKotti]

Very good analysis. I agree with most things said but am surprised you overlooked a few of the biggest problems some of the maps have in my opinion. Colorado's single exit is at the top of that list. In a game that relies so heavily on replayability, having only a single exit that is troublesome to reach is a huge mistake. The virus in Sapienza causes a similar problem, but that one can at least be destroyed in multiple ways and isn't as painful to repeat. Marrakesh didn't just suffer from the disconnect between the target areas and the bazaar, but also from the fact that the school and the embassy were in the opposite corners of the map. That meant you had to go through the unimportant bits whenever you played, and that the important bits had more limited entrances. I personally really enjoy Bangkok, but it's clearly being held back by Ken Morgan's stale loop, making him the least interesting target in the game. Sure there are some nice opportunity based kills, but those are something I can't see myself going through more than once. Jordan Cross is also needlessy annoying to get to, as the studio only has two entrances, compared to the number of ways you can get to the auction in Paris.

[@anonymousally9783]

Congrats on being Hitman Canon!

[@camclose8569]

Bit late now but if you play Colorado instead of playing the mission there is multiple exits

[@stephenthedude4383]

@@anonymousally9783 wait he is?

[@anonymousally9783]

stephen the dude In Colorado, two guards talk about a guy who got blown up and flew into a well into the town square. This is something TheKotti did.

[@stephenthedude4383]

@@anonymousally9783 whoa thats awesome. In which game did he do that?

[@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!

[@WritingOnGames]

Laservault thanks a lot! That's really cool to hear.

[@m.g1797]

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

[@WritingOnGames]

The beauty of Hitman's formula is that you can kinda take it almost anywhere and make it work. That said though, I think the game works best when it plants you in situations where conflict isn't actually expected. It's why causing havoc at the party in Paris is so fun-it's like it comes out of absolutely nowhere. So yeah, more scenarios like that-bright, vibrant environments where you totally would not expect an assassination to take place. For some reason, a Dead Rising-esque mall springs to mind. A jail scenario could be absolutely amazing though!

[@roykiller123]

M. G more exotic locations big as sapienza

[@Gogetta80]

M. G absolution had a jail mission. I'd love to see a grocery store

[@azto9374]

Wow. Nice idea mate

[@Lonecaster]

gogetta80 or the olympics

[@itsyaboitavino3273]

Guy in a tuxedo puts pills into someone’s drink: PANIK Same guy with a red tuxedo that says “staff” dumps pills into someone’s drink: Kalm

[@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

[@kevandre]

I agree with your sentiments about the levels. Colorado and Marrakesh are the low points, though I did find a way to enjoy them as well. It's really Mumbai in the 2nd game I don't like out of all the maps between the two

[@horusreloaded6387]

@@kevandre After playing and falling in love with Mumbai, I went online and all I saw was hate. This breaks my heart, Mumbai level didn't deserve to be so underrated.

[@CantoniaCustoms]

@@horusreloaded6387 yeah idk why mumbai is hated so much (the train station was the worst part while Rangan's fortress was the peak of it. The slums is also pretty cool.

[@PatFagan]

Got nothing to do for the next hour anyway.

[@WritingOnGames]

Perfect timing!

[@dipper9496]

Writing on Games have u ever tried elusive targets

[@Under_Growth]

its will take me 2 hours to DL hitman

[@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.

[@undercoversuit1822]

I think the best way to play hitman Is with opoturnities on minimal, it feels like the way the game was meant to be played, to start one you have to eavesdrop and the game only gives you text reminder of your current objective with no waypoints.

[@TwinPeaksPL2001]

Please do simmilar analysis when Hitman 2 finally falls

[@JacaboBlanco]

Your wish has been granted

[@nuv2987]

Finally falls? It’ll never fall until another Hitman is released. These games are phenomenal and even after no real content is releasing people (including me and some KZbinrs) still actively play it.

[@mrwafflesplays]

Lumbago Man I think he was meaning when it comes out.

[@sphrcl.]

@@mrwafflesplays he didn't, since hitman 2 was already out when he wrote this comment

[@Juiceboxjerry]

I like Colorado. The game was really screaming for something that was a little more open and sprawling. Sure, Sapienza fills that void somewhat, but as you point out, the action is still very focused in on a couple very specific areas on the map. Meanwhile Colorado empowers the player with its wide open sight lines while keeping you in check with its many targets, and the fact that your foes and cameras are afforded the same visibility. Also your criticism of the save system is really just a criticism of the game as a whole. I didn't find myself abusing it on one map over another. Nor did I find it more useful on any particular map. It really just came down to what I was trying to accomplish challenge-wise. And every level has its peaks and valleys in that regard. Lastly I really dug the assassination targets in this one. Each had some pretty strong characterization. They made the level come alive a bit more.

[@ParvoVEVO]

Sapienza has 2 bonus missions that take diffrent parts of the map

[@SpinningTurtle66]

Sapienza is so clearly the best map. Now that Hitman 2 is out, I take my time to try and figure out all approaches, but in the first season I never focused on mastery. On one level I think I had mastery 3 after 2 years! But not Sapienza...I did barely and of the challenges but I still got level 20 because of how phenomenal it is.

[@HoodedDude]

16:20 I just assumed 47 flew the helicopter himself every time, or am I wrong? I respectfully disagree with your opinion on Elusive Targets. It's easily one of the best parts of the game. It provides a test for the player after he's mastered the level, to see if he truly knows everything about it. The adrenaline rush I get after killing an Elusive Target without anybody noticing is amazing. But I suppose you just play the game differently. Great video, though, very well analized, even if my opinion sometimes differs from yours.

[@Riprie]

He has been flying helicopters by himself in almost all of the games in the series.

[@mugoftoothpaste1507]

It made me a bit mad when he said that he doesn't play hitman to be a hitman

[@Asprinkle477]

It is a good idea but in the long run it only harms the game

[@tridonstrident6785]

@@Asprinkle477 How?

[@Asprinkle477]

@@tridonstrident6785 A good chunk of content is just missing as well as the potential rewards, it's rectified in Hitman 3 but 2016 itself still has a bit of locked out content

[@zcritten]

Helmut Krueger is amazing too because 47 can walk the catwalk, so it implies 47 spent time watching footage of Helmut and saw his strategy and copied it perfectly

[@kmetcalfe]

As I just finished the game for the first time, watching a video like this soon afterward is like a best of, but then it becomes so much more by pointing out things I didn't realize I appreciated as much when I did them, verifying things that didn't feel quite right to me, and explaining why certain things I couldn't put my finger on, just make this a really great game.

[@himanshuwilhelm5534]

I've had a suspicion that Helmut has some connection to the project that created 47. If you listen to his dialogue with the target, he even works as an assassin part-time!

[@MuchWhittering]

No he doesn't. He's clearly uncomfortable with the task Dalia gives him.

[@tomc.8860]

Another wonderful video. Thanks so much for the long form, I hope people watch the entire thing, so that they can see exactly how much thought you put into this.

[@WritingOnGames]

Thanks so much man.

[@quarreneverett4767]

It's.part of why I clicked on it :) needed a video to listen to while working while hearing interesting points

[@themk4982]

An amazing video, your dedication is unbelievably admirable. This video has the quality of all your others (which are themselves far above average for ‘video essays’ on KZbin) yet is nearly a whole hour long, it’s astonishing how you manage it.

[@didijunior971]

1:27 Hitman is a stealth game. Found trespassing, crime noticed

[@fungusbungus4916]

I personally liked Colorado a lot. The ending, I thought, was really good, and it's a change of pace from the rest of the game.

[@TheGekko135]

Please do an analysis of hitman 2.I'm already in love with the game and they only build and refine the experience from 2016 into a wonderful whole.

[@WritingOnGames]

Already working on it!

[@nickr3526]

Miami is definitely the Sapienza of Hitman 2. Prob the best map thus far. Mumbai is like Marrakesh except it actually is good. Whittleton Creek....oh how amazing that level is. Isle is also damn great, basically Paris on a large scale. Hawkes Bay sucks a nut tho

[@liamvogl1703]

@@nickr3526 you forgot columbia

[@MrChopstsicks]

47 drawing attention to himself is when he did a whole cowboy dance at the wedding.

[@imrudenow]

this is by far my favorite video of yours! i would be so down for more long content like this!

[@VNReader]

Do you think you could talk about the 3 bonus missions, I feel they are effective ways of making up for the weaknesses of the missions in Sapienza and Marrakesh. A House Build On Sand makes Marrakesh a wonderful map for a change, and it all feels connected. The newly released Landslide gives the actual town of Sapienza more of a purpose and we finally get use of the town hall. Also The Icon too is alright I guess, just easily the weakest of the three.

[@gregorysweet867]

and painetn zero is f u after 5 mintes

[@CoNfUzLeDaNdLoSt]

Great video Hamish, love seeing the fruits of your labor! Keep it up brother!

[@JoPeTuYaTroJoueY]

that's a damn crazy job you did here with this analysis ! thanks for the hard work, very interesting stuff ! (i'll share it to the french audience on the webzine i run tomorrow) ++

[@batmabel]

This is one of your best videos. I loved it! Keep up the awesome work.

[@owenseaborne3517]

Brilliant video dude. I love your videos purely because of the presentation and informative nature of each thing you talk about

[@WritingOnGames]

Xx_B0b-R0sS_x X thanks so much pal!

[@foodfun99]

i love the longer format please do them as often as you can (but do so only if you want )

[@ThoughtsOnThoughts]

Wow, absolutely fantastic and spot on analysis presented in a highly interesting way.

[@avinashboddu846]

I haven't played Hitman, but I love your videos, and would like to see this format more!

[@HixxyDubz]

you deserve more subs, more views, i loved and watched this video from the start to the end, very rare there's actually good intellectual content on youtube, this is what we need in the gaming community, amazing presentation of this game, thank you so much.

[@firstnameandlastnameples9570]

er mah gerd. It's an hour. Awesome! : D LOVE long analyses videos

[@WritingOnGames]

Ha, thanks a lot!

[@jvincent14]

A B same

[@bomber6042]

You should check out Mauler

[@lazer_pauli]

This was the video I was looking for. Great work. Thanks so much !

[@michalwlosik3544]

Amazing, in depth analysis. One thing - when I played it, I never thought they made the helicopter seem like a taxi. I just assumed 47 knows how to fly one (and the player is just supposed to expect it).

[@SignalBlue]

Really cool you took the time to make this video. Thanks for sharing!

[@davidhorinek]

This must have taken long time. Thanks for this! :)

[@FabTBC]

Normally I don't watch long KZbin videos, but this one was genuinely great!

[@MrBraddles3128]

Immediately subscribed purely because you made the effort to include timestamps in the description. Watched the video and it was actually good so didn't hit "unsubscribe". Well done, mate.

[@LegendsuperYT]

Neat video ! I never really played any Hitman games but I really enjoy hearing people voice their opinion on it. Thank you !

[@WritingOnGames]

Glad it can still be interesting to someone who doesn't play the games!

[@baardsentano4691]

One hour. You weren't kidding. Hold on, let me put this up on my 4KTV and make some popcorn, I'll be back.

[@WritingOnGames]

It's a long one, for sure. Timestamps are in the description, however, if people want to go to take breaks and go to certain sections!

[@baardsentano4691]

Writing on Games Breaks, breaks, what, you think I've got a life or something?! From your video I now see that the stove assassination is the key to my problems with Hitman. I like the fact that it's not Metal Gear or Dishonored and is all about Social Stealth (what Assassin's Creed was meant to be), but the Social aspect I don't think was fully realised in any Hitman game to this day. The game would greatly benefit from a dialogue system - not like Mass Effect or Telltale Games, but a moment to moment dialogue option that either pops ups or is at the player's disposal at any time. Being able to talk to NPCs, convince them of some things and truly engage in the Social aspect of the game would add much more depth to the system, and maybe even avoid the ridiculous stove assassination moments, as you'd be able to say "nothing's wrong, sorry" or things to that effect. Having your disguise be more than just access to some rooms would be really cool. But where I have the biggest disconnect between me and 47, and it's what you found a way to like, is the very systematic AI. It's extremely predictable and offers only very superficial challenge. I don't like feeling like a God in video games, I like being little Jimmy who tries and tries again until he succeeds. That's why even in my first gameplay of any game I put them in the highest difficulty possible, even though I know it'll take at least 3 times longer for me to beat it than the average Joe. Not with Hitman though. I enjoyed Hitman almost the same way I enjoy Garry's Mod - it's fun in chunks but loses the appeal after a couple of hours. I like the idea of chaos in gameplay, but a more cohesive chaos would go a long way. If they focused less on map diversity and more on different intricate AI systems and non violent mechanics to achieve your goal, the game would feel much more challenging while still offering its fun chaotic nature. Thankfully, this is only Season One, and I hope expanded mechanics are part of what will be improved in Season Two, even if they're less, more expansive episodes. But by far what disappointed me the most about your video is that you didn't officially recognise your fanbase as the Angry Joe Army. I wanna be part of the Angry Joe Army, but I like games that are less than 4 hours long.

[@WritingOnGames]

That's an interesting way to look at things I actually really enjoyed about the game. For me, the idea of figuring out how these different AI states worked didn't make me feel like a god or take away from the challenge or anything. It's just that the challenge itself changed. Manipulating the game's systems made me feel like the ultimate puppet master, but that was only because the challenge of figuring those systems out was so different to almost any stealth game I've ever played. I definitely think some form of dialogue response system to guards could be interesting though. I guess I just really love how 47 is so distant from normal human behaviour that his only response to being called out on little shit ("hey, did you turn off that stove?") is to either stand in silence or fucking wreck shit. Again, it contributed to the uncanny nature of the world design which I loved, and I'm not sure if a series of appropriate responses to every situation would maybe take away from that. Certainly wouldn't' be opposed to something like that making an entrance in future instalments though. Also, you are 100% right. Next podcast we're going hard on reminding people that they are the ANGRY JOE ARMY - LOYAL FANS OF THE WRITING ON GAMESCAST

[@quarreneverett4767]

Baardsen Tano you are apart of the angry army no matter what you like :) the point isn't about how long the games u like. That is hoes preference of quality for price. Of you don't know what I mean about the quality to Price thing check out total biscuit he discusses the values of what differs to peopple on his video criticizing the reviews on mad max game. Anyways angry army is mainly about gamers that want decent practices in video games. Not judging you on it you like 4 hour or less games

[@SpinningTurtle66]

Weird flex but OK

[@Randyw1111]

Love this video man, great job.

[@horridCAM]

do more of these videos bud. you just got a sub from this in depth analysis alone. keep up the good work.

[@KarlM29]

I recently found your channel thoroughly enjoyed your analyzation of MGS five and also your analyzation of his new hitman game keep up the good work and I would like to see you do more analyzing of other video games story and gameplay

[@DahliaDew]

Your analysis was amazing and your voice is so nice!

[@trumpeterswan8175]

When I first played sapienza, I noticed right of the bat that one of the targets was on the second floor near the windows, so I started looking for the sniper I put in the safe house in order to get a clear shot. The problem was I had no idea where the safe house was(had to look up where it was online) and ended up thinking the icecream parlour was the safe house. So I broke in, snuck past the civs and started looking for the sniper but I never found it. I ended up on the roof, when I looked back towards the target who was now, apparently, on the balcony directly across from me, so I said “screw it” and unloaded all my pistol round into them, somehow killing them without anyone noticing until like 5 minutes later. That kind of stupid improvisation is what I love about this series lmao

[@12qasdz]

incredible video, great analysis great points well done

[@charlescalthrop2535]

One thing in Bangkok which you didn’t mention is one of my favourite kills of the game, that being where you get Jordan Cross to confess at gunpoint.

[@Prix-cp5qc]

I wish it was the canon way

[@TheSpacey52]

For best gameplay, my favorite mission is Paris. For best setting/atmosphere, Colorado.

[@nolanb7256]

I love the kills on Paris

[@LowBudgetToons]

Another excellent video my friend. I really enjoy your gaming breakdowns

[@WritingOnGames]

Thanks so much!

[@LowBudgetToons]

Writing on Games no problem boss keep it up

[@fabitoselajuega]

The more I play this game, the more I love it. Props to the developers who put a lot of effort on this game. It's absurd the number of ways a level can be finished.

[@huwguyver4208]

Love your work Hamish!

[@TheDominitri]

Heard you on UPF this friday! I was surprised none of the guys keep of with much of the incredible channels like yours that have popped up the past few years.

[@WritingOnGames]

Ha, yes! That was a fun, weird thing. I honestly understand where they're coming from. GB is made of old-school dudes but is also totally its own separate thing, so they can afford to be pretty insular. In that sense, their exposure to YT stuff is likely a lot of "influencer"-types (the "bad bad garbage" I mentioned on the call), so I don't blame them for not really giving a shit.

[@thinreaper]

Holy shit! Thanks so much for the shout out dude! I'm so sorry it's like 5 years late but I only just beat the game and watched this video haha. I agree with you about Marrakesh and Colorado being the weakest levels. They were the only two levels that I didn't finish and immediately want to replay and get different kills. Just wanted to move on to the next mission and put them behind me.

[@branpod]

Wish the electronic hacking device wasn’t locked behind the Colorado mastery path :/

[@keja6500]

I’ve literally had this video in my watch later for literal years and I’m just getting to watch it 😭😭

[@nickmoney]

The escalations and elusive targets are great additions and explain certain things. Plus they add alternative take advantage of other areas.

[@mabryson]

Hamish, very well written and planned. An enjoyable and informative analysis.

[@nuggs4snuggs516]

Amazing video man, I can't wait to see more!

[@WritingOnGames]

Thanks a bunch!

[@therealisticgamer7385]

EXELLENT review mate! 🖒Very well thought out and thorul.

[@TheSpikeNation]

I didn't even realize this video was almost an hour long. This is some fine writing on games!

[@mattig89ch]

This video earned my sub. Very nice analysis.

[@BigJman123456]

1 hour of Writing On Games? Yes please!

[@imnindigo44]

Dude I’ve come back and watched this video and the sequels, like, five times. This is so fun.

[@WritingOnGames]

Ha, thanks! That means a lot to hear.

[@TrueChaoSclx]

I had a feeling you were a fan of Joseph Anderson. Both of you make really great videos, keep it up mate

[@gokhalesh1]

This sounds like an audiobook to my ears , very well written !

[@goromiismywife2567]

Amazing explanation and video!

[@leprechaunbutreallyjustamidget]

The embassy levels one of my favorites tbh but it's sad how much time I spent trying to start a riot just to find it's impossible

[@SavageFreddy33]

I really like that analysis of the Paris mission, it's interesting to see how the map itself attempts to influence the players into doing certain things. I say "attempts" because ultimately what happens is you end up sprinting past guards and stabbing random guests with scissors in a desparate attempt to salvage your operation.

[@zombifiedpariah7392]

Me riddled with bullets and being one light breeze away from falling over and dying finally arriving at an extraction point after blasting my way through half of the map's entire population with video evidence and a ton of witnesses: Smooth as butter 👌😎👍

[@HxH2011DRA]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@Official2Shitty]

5:40 the opportunities function as a way for the developers to show you the vast diversity of their levels. Opportunities allow an ignorant player see what he would otherwise ignore

[@epicgamer2727]

Sweet perfect thing to watch while I'm sick :)

[@WritingOnGames]

I'm sorry you're sick but happy I can perhaps distract from it!

[@epicgamer2727]

Writing on Games thanks hamish :) also going through your game of the year podcast (your wrong about dooms soundtrack IMO :P)

[@Str8Jacket951]

This pretty much mirrors my exact thoughts on Hitman. Hokaiddo really really is the highlight of the season for me. Figuring out how to ninja assassin the level was amazing.

[@GordonFreemanlvr]

Love the video. If you feel inspired I would to see a Hitman 2 analysis like this

[@stevebass6832]

I agree with the opportunity system point you made early on. I really liked the lawyer opportunity in Landslide because it was challenging and rarely left you alone.

[@zurnan1953]

Very nice analysis.

[@browsemace]

Just finished listening while also making pasta. Fantastic. The pasta and the video. But keep making the sweet videos man!

[@WritingOnGames]

I'm glad my video could match the level of quality of your pasta!

[@arkangel5116]

Hokkiado has the fact that you can't smuggle in any items until you get to mastery level 20

[@paulscott2037]

Great analysis. I played Hitman a couple of years ago but I rediscovered it last month and had so much more fun this time round. I think the first time round I was playing it like a regular single player game. Going from A to B and trying to get into the plot. This time round I played it with the intention of trying for the best score I could and went in knowing that I wanted a puzzle game to occupy my mind while in lockdown. I was hooked and after two weeks of playing it near non-stop I went out and ended up observing my local area like I would a level. "That waiter would be a good disguise... That Gas canister would be great to lead the target to." Until I remembered I was a normal human being and did not have a target... I wouldn't say I'm an impatient person but traditionally these sorts of games get old with me pretty quick. But somehow even when I got to the frustrations of Colorado and Hokaido I went back every time I failed and in the end I was getting Silent Assassin every time and felt awesome. Coincidentally while I was on this kick I was also watching through all the Mission Impossible movies and I came to the conclusion that what we desperately need is a multiplayer game with Hitman's mechanics but while working as a team like in MI where you work together towards objectives.

[@jackb5384]

This was a fantastic video, I would love if you made one similar on the maps in hitman 2

[@imyongxin]

Love your analysis

[@purgejmi]

Colorado was my favorite map from season one. I loved how complicated it was, and that since it was a more simple map design, it was at the same time harder and more complicated.

[@rashkavar]

Regarding the opportunity system, I found what it really did best was get you in the mindset for understanding the challenges. A lot of the things detailed in the challenge system are opportunity-like events and while some are much more mundane (like say, cracking open that gas canister the target walks by on her patrol route, or dropping a hanging object on them when they're walking under it), others are quite bizarre and interesting, like getting Caruso to flee in his sea plane, then shooting the plane down with one of the cannons in the ruins in the Sapienza level, or cranking the temperature of the sauna and locking Yamazaki in when you're at Hokkaido, or, for the extreme case, using the officer disguise to dismiss all of the soldiers in the abandoned school of Marrakesh, then using the magically spawning radio and school's PA system to start a dance party, then shooting Zaydan while he's dancing in front of all his men and somehow surviving the aftermath. They're a framing device to help you get into the absurdist mentality needed to decipher the challenges. It's not needed for everyone, but that's why you can turn them off.

[@MegamanSora1]

This was the first video I've seen from you, and it was definitely worth a watch. Looking forward to more uploads from you! As for the actual video itself, I agree with your general conclusions on most of the maps, although I disagree with one of your low points for the season. I realize Marrakesh was a missed opportunity, I'm certainly not going to argue that, but as someone that likes to go Suit Only when possible, Marrakesh ended up being the enjoyably (and quite frustratingly) tense experience that I would've wanted from Colorado. Bangkok, on the other hand, felt... it felt like an overreliance on the scripted Opportunities, and while it certainly means that the writing was probably the strongest (the weird feeling I got while having Jordan Cross beg for his life when you're pointing a gun at him is a highlight of the game for me), it felt overly restricted in a way that was only really matched by Colorado. Colorado is, of course, the other low point in it. By having multiple targets lined up like this, you'd think there would've been lots of different ways to eliminate multiple targets at once, with perhaps some particularly difficult/complicated way to eliminate all four in a single accident (likely an explosion, considering how much more prevalent that is on this map in particular), but instead you have to take them all out one-by-one. Not to mention the fact that trying to get SA/SO on this map is an exercise in frustration and your ability to reload saves, as opposed to finding a way to exploit a weakness in their routines that allows you to slip in. One final note, I guess, is that I'm slightly disappointed you didn't touch on The Icon and A House Built On Sand. I realize there's not much to cover in those levels that you didn't cover just focusing on the main missions, but leaving them out on a really thorough examination like this bothers me for some reason.

[@tippytess]

Great vid mate

[@robertsantillan6604]

The cluster of a.i. line really helped me understand these games more

[@will_wmgc]

Waiting to finish the game first but I can't wait to get back to this after!

[@WaifuWisdomShorts]

Out of all the years, I’ve played the hitman in this trilogy. I’ve never knew you could throw something while you’re hiding.

[@Randyw1111]

I enjoy your videos man.

[@htcmlcrip]

"Idea of playing as a professional assassin... (22:58) Wait WHAT???? Isnt this game for training assassins? At least that's why I play it