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[Himself]

I just hope it doesn't turn out as Rockstar-y as it looks. The stealth games thread made me want to giver this series a go.

 

[Dick Justice]

We have a lot of reserves on this game, it might be the first Hitman with its own dedicated midnight. I've been impressed with the game, it had better turn out right since IO made us deal with two Kane and Lynch games.

Blame Eidos for that. They forced IO to work on Kane and Lynch 2 rather than Hitman 5 because they thought it'd be the next big thing.

And I don't get the hate in this thread. If this was a year ago, back when they kept claiming it was classic Hitman, but only showed off action segments, I'd understand. But it looks fucking good now. That RPS article that people keep referring to said that shooting felt like the better option than stealth in certain sections. Doesn't mean that stealth is no longer an option. As long as most of the game consists of sandbox areas like in Streets of Hope or King of Chinatown, I'm happy, and I've been a fan of this series since the second game.

Oh yeah, and instinct is essentially a streamlined version of the old map. You know, the one that let you see where guards were located and what direction they were facing on the whole level. Other than playing on a higher difficulty, you guys can just choose not to hold down a fucking button.

 

[Guesong]

Removed.

 

[Doctor Decimate]

Maybe I'm confused but is there really a defense force out there for Kane & Lynch?

i've seen a few people spout off the same arguments i just mentioned, though i don't know if you could call it a "force". another casualty of the video game forum white knight syndrome, i suppose.

Oh yeah, and instinct is essentially a streamlined version of the old map. You know, the one that let you see where guards were located and what direction they were facing on the whole level. Other than playing on a higher difficulty, you guys can just choose not to hold down a fucking button.

god, it totally is. i've never understood the criticism for it. sorry you're given the option to not stop the game and open up the map and then go back to the game and then open the map again to double check? it's a non-issue

 

[haikira]

Very happy i bought this on a completely random whim, ages ago on GMG. Should make a nice a cool down, after Halo 4.

 

[Dick Justice]

This is not the case. Both of these levels fall in the minority of said sandbox-style levels.

Not to say other levels are totally linear ; but oftentimes you don't even get a target to kill in other levels. When you do, might have, what, 2-3 ways to kill him? Not what I'd call sandbox.

There's 6 levels on the top of my head that fit into your sandbox category.

Spoiler

King of Chinatown
Streets of Hope
R&D
Blackwater Penthouse
Fight Night
Chinese New Year <-- less so than other ones

You have the game?

 

[Guesong]

Removed.

 

[Alexios]

Jokes aside, if you have any questions about the game, do ask. I'll probably be able to answer.

Is it awesome? If yes, how awesome? If no, why no?

 

[legacyzero]

Death by plunger.

 

[Sou]

Just amazing market campaign. Although the cinemas trailer that was put out a while ago is much better.

 

[Guesong]

Removed.

 

[Alexios]

So was it fun regardless of having a prequel to compare? It could be a "bad Hitman game" but still be a worthwhile purchase.

 

[Guesong]

Removed.

 

[george_us]

This game looked amazing from the gameplay footage I've seen. It's actually the game I thought Assassin's Creed would be, which makes me sad that I've missed out on this series for so long.

 

[MMaRsu]

Fuck i fucking knew it. Waaaay too many levels where you just sneak from point a to point b with checkpoints in between. 6 sandbox levels? Fucking disgusting.


Forced to use instinct?

 

[Derrick01]

This is not the case. Both of these levels fall in the minority of said sandbox-style levels.

Not to say other levels are totally linear ; but oftentimes you don't even get a target to kill in other levels. When you do, might have, what, 2-3 ways to kill him? Not what I'd call sandbox.

There's 6 levels on the top of my head that fit into your sandbox category.

Spoiler

King of Chinatown
Streets of Hope
R&D
Blackwater Penthouse
Fight Night
Chinese New Year <-- less so than other ones

The fuck? So they really did neuter this game.

I hate this generation so god damn much.

Oh, and for all of you guys saying "Psh, instinct is for wussies, I will not use it and play on Purist!"...well, get that out of your mind. You'll be forced to use it, albeit not for NPC-detection purposes.

You've got to be kidding me...

 

[Dick Justice]

No, I'm just spouting out random levels names in hope they match with the final product. >_>

Jokes aside, if you have any questions about the game, do ask. I'll probably be able to answer.

Just some minor stuff I'm curious about. Is there a proper animation for climbing stairs and such? Can you drop weapons? Is there an animation for taking out a gun?

 

[derFeef]

Fuck i fucking knew it. Waaaay too many levels where you just sneak from point a to point b with checkpoints in between. 6 sandbox levels? Fucking disgusting.

Out of how many?

 

[Derrick01]

Out of how many?

I remember seeing there's something like 18-20 missions.

 

[Zeliard]

I for one am completely shocked at these recent revelations.

Shocked, I tell you.

 

[derFeef]

I remember seeing there's something like 18-20 missions.

I have no problem with them mixing it up some, and from what I have seen there are still plenty of options in those "linear" missions, but that seems a bit much.

 

[krameriffic]

Hate character models that are so limited in their detail and animation because of console memory constraints in a game with lots of entities on screen at any time. Get the same kind of shitty looking models in AC3.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

Somebody explain how Guesong knows so damn much? And he's somehow already gotten major story spoilers 3 weeks before the game's out?

 

[Guesong]

Removed.

 

[derFeef]

There's 13 levels, each divided into numerous checkpoints.

I was thinking of checkpoints. So make it 6-8 good sandbox out of 22-26?

I don't get this math...

Somebody explain how Guesong knows so damn much? And he's somehow already gotten major story spoilers 3 weeks before the game's out?

Pirates?

 

[Derrick01]

I for one am completely shocked at these recent revelations.

Shocked, I tell you.

I shouldn't be but I guess I was trying to tell myself I was overreacting all these months.

Now I need to think about cancelling my GMG pre order. If Guesong is right I don't care if I could have gotten it for $30 that's still $30 too much for the game he's describing.

I guess my stealth trio is down to just one now. Please don't suck Thief 4 you're all I have left now

 

[Guesong]

Removed.

 

[rvy]

That's weird questions.

Not really. People like good animation these days. It's always goofy when your character's legs don't react to different heights and he walks on air.

 

[derFeef]

I clarified it ; There's 13 levels, each divided into numerous checkpoints. Or not, depending on the level. King of Chinatown, for instance, is a single level with no checkpoints. Streets of Hope is part of a greater level.

So those checkpoints, does it mean the level (or "map") before that was a linear corridor, or was it also open with options and such, but just shorter?

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

Tricks of the trade.

I mean, it's my pleasure to bring some informations about anticipated games to the GAF Community, but if you think I'm pirating I'll just stop. Realize I cannot divulge what is it that I do and for who I do it without putting my job in jeopardy.

By that, I assume you're reviewing it. Or borrowed a review copy. I thought I was going crazy cause you basically know everything about the game three weeks out from release yet I'm pretty sure you don't work for IO.

Don't you have like NDAs or something that you're supposed to sign? If you're playing it legally, I'd assume you'd have that. Unless you borrowed it, I guess.

 

[Guesong]

[QRemoved.

 

[Zeliard]

Play Mark of the Ninja to get your stealth fix.

 

[derFeef]

Some are quite straightforward with no options, other presents a small amount of options/paths for 47 to take. But each "checkpoint" is a sub-level per se.

Ok, thanks. I don't see what the problem is then. Like I said, mixing it up is okay to me - and I still get the sandbox levels.

Play Mark of the Ninja to get your stealth fix.

Hitman was never a stealth game.

 

[Derrick01]

Don't you have like NDAs or something that you're supposed to sign?

That could be why he can't say where he works.

I don't see what the problem is then

It's not Hitman. It's ok to admit you were wrong, I'm sure many people were ready to shove crow down my throat.

Play Mark of the Ninja to get your stealth fix.

If I can cancel my preorder I think I'll use some of the money on that.

 

[Dick Justice]

Not really. People like good animation these days. It's always goofy when your character's legs don't react to different heights and he walks on air.

Yeah, I was curious because the previous games had all these great little animations, which are strangely missing here judging by gameplay videos. Walking up to a target, pulling a gun from my jacket and executing them there always felt so cool and movie like.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

Well, as long as Guesong is answering questions...

How's the voice acting? How are the visuals? I love the style in the trailers, how's it look in-game? What about soundtrack? Is there non-lethal ways of taking down enemies?

 

[Derrick01]

Hitman was never a stealth game.

LOL

 

[rvy]

Yeah, I was curious because the previous games had all these great little animations, which are strangely missing here judging by gameplay videos. Walking up to a target, pulling a gun from my jakcet and executing them there always felt so cool and movie like.

Yeah, I remember those. Pretty awesome. It's a shame if they're not back.

So, 13 levels sounds good to me. And the game has the Contracts Mode on top of that to get more mileage out of.

 

[Doctor Decimate]

Yeah, I remember those. Pretty awesome. It's a shame if they're not back.

So, 13 levels sounds good to me. And the game has the Contracts Mode on top of that to get more mileage out of.

yeah, i'm wondering if those linear levels can be turned into your average mission through Contracts

 

[Guesong]

Removed.

 

[derFeef]

It's not Hitman. It's ok to admit you were wrong, I'm sure many people were ready to shove crow down my throat.

Wrong about what? I can enjoy games that are not perfect, or are not what they should have been if they are still fun and provide what the series was about. I know you demand pretty much perfect games, though.

LOL

I don't know what's funny about that, because it really wasn't. Hitman was about hiding in the open, play with the NPC's, create scenarios and be creative.
Thief is a stealth game, Splitner Cell is (uhm, was) a stealth game, etc.

 

[Dick Justice]

LOL

The emphasis was clearly on stealth over action, but the ridicuous amount of guns to collect meant that going in guns blazing was always a somewhat viable option on a lot of the levels (though not always).

 

[blindrocket]

Hmm... to get this for PS3 sooner, or wait until I build my gaming PC and get it later.

 

[rvy]

yeah, i'm wondering if those linear levels can be turned into your average mission through Contracts

I wouldn't be inspired if they pulled a Conviction here, with Deniable OPs serving as an addition to the short and piss-easy single player.
I'm bound to get a lot mileage out of this anyway, it's a Hitman game. It has 6 big sandbox levels and the online modes aren't tacked on. Or don't seem to be anyway.

And get the PC version if you can, it's so much better.

Since I'm not getting that, did you try out the other 2 versions? 360 is probably the way to go on consoles, right?

 

[Derrick01]

The emphasis was clearly on stealth over action, but the ridicuous amount of guns to collect meant that going in guns blazing was always a somewhat viable option on a lot of the levels (though not always).

It was never a very viable option before since they never bothered making a competent shooting system. If you were playing on harder difficulties you would get swarmed and shot up almost immediately before you could use the janky shooting system.

But that's beside the point. I was laughing at that rather definitive statement when Blood Money is considered by practically everyone as a top 5 stealth game of all time, THE greatest by a lot of others. The whole franchise is social stealth and that's what set it apart from the Thiefs and the Splinter Cells and so on.

 

[Guesong]

Removed.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

LOL

I shot my way through the latter half of most levels, but then again, I'm not a True Fan&#8482;

Wrong about what? I can enjoy games that are not perfect, or are not what they should have been if they are still fun and provide what the series was about. I know you demand pretty much perfect games, though.

A man after my own heart. I agree with you.

The emphasis was clearly on stealth over action, but the ridicuous amount of guns to collect meant that going in guns blazing was always a somewhat viable option on a lot of the levels (though not always).

Yup. I pretty much just shot up everyone in "A New Life". And in New Orleans. I also just blasted my way through SWAT in the opening and closing of Contracts. It was... unfortunate. I think the only level I ever got a perfect Silent Assassin rating was the Opera House one.

 

[Doctor Decimate]

I don't know what's funny about that, because it really wasn't. Hitman was about hiding in the open, play with the NPC's, create scenarios and be creative.
Thief is a stealth game, Splitner Cell is (uhm, was) a stealth game, etc.

hiding =/= stealth?

if you say so, pal...

 

[Dick Justice]

I wouldn't be inspired if they pulled a Conviction here, with Deniable OPs serving as an addition to the short and piss-easy single player.
I'm bound to get a lot mileage out of this anyway, it's a Hitman game. It has 6 big sandbox levels and the online modes aren't tacked on. Or don't seem to be anyway.



Since I'm not getting that, did you try out the other 2 versions? 360 is probably the way to go on consoles, right?

They've been showing off the PS3 version quite a lot, which makes me hopeful that it will at least be equal with the 360 version.

Also, shooting up everyone in the first three games could be somewhat difficult, but the AI was hilariously dumb in Blood Money, and the inclusion of weapon upgrades meant that going on a rampage was cerainly viable (though much less fun than causing dastardly accidents and getting in and out without being caught.)

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

You know, it's so hard to not stop caring about gaming anymore. First Splinter Cell and now Hitman. I have a feeling FarCry3 will be 2 steps forward, 1 step back. Only reason why I'm holding onto my console is GTAV, Last of Us, God of War, Last Guardian, Bioshock Infinite, MGS, and a couple of other games. =\

I'm even more terrified about next gen.