Hitman: Sniper Challenge could be described as a "sub-game" of the upcoming instalment in the popular Hitman series--a sub-game that is only available (as of now) through preordering Hitman: Absolution. Sniper Challenge is a short and rather disappointing teaser for the upcoming game, and there would be no justification in charging for it should it go on the Xbox Live marketplace or the Playstation Network store after the release of Absolution. If one didn't know what the Sniper Challenge was, one would assume it's a demo for Absolution, and this fact warrants treatment as such--I would be much satisfied if it were released as a free game or classified as a demo.
The Sniper Challenge takes place on a rooftop in Chicago, overlooking a building across the street that's hosting a rave party of some sort. In the briefing, Diana (and before anyone makes the obvious connection, Sniper Challenge is not connected to Absolution in any way) informs Agent 47 that his target is Richard Strong, Jr., the CEO of weapons manufacturer Stallion Armaments, and his entourage of bodyguards. I'm unaware of whether or not the bodyguards are mandatory or optional targets, as I've always killed them off before going for the main target.
Your only weapon is a silenced, bolt-action sniper rifle that can be upgraded through earning points via kills. Upgrades include a magazine size extension and a faster bolt cycling (increasing its fire speed). I find this to be utterly disappointing. I see no valid reason to not include a weapons loadout menu during the beginning of the mission where players may choose from a selection of sniper rifles (after they're unlocked in-game, naturally) and select attachments such as suppressors, laser sights, extended magazines, etc. I understand Sniper Challenge is supposed to be some sort of whet-your-appetite kind of deal, but it's utterly tasteless.
The scenery of the game is a decent redeeming factor however. The graphics, while not the best of its time, are certainly well done and mildly an improvement in the Hitman series. The Sniper Challenge also features a destructible environment which proves useful for making kills look like accidents, a feature first introduced in Hitman: Blood Money. For instance, shooting the cord of a platform holding barrels will cause them to fall and crush whomever is unfortunate enough to be standing underneath.
While the Sniper Challenge is a somewhat decent game in itself, it poses as a poor preview for Absolution and naturally, wouldn't bode well should it cost anything to play, other than the $5 minimum to cover the preorder of Hitman: Absolution. With Sniper Challenge being practically given away, I wouldn't advise ignoring it because it is fun at most times, but I'll save my energy for the upcoming instalment.
The Hitman video game series and its remorseless protagonist Agent 47 have a penchant for despatching villainous targets in inventive, often brutal ways. With the arrival of the next chapter in the Hitman story on 11 March, the IBTimes UK team has compiled a list of the best individual assassinations the franchise has offered to date.
Poisoning the panty sniffer while you hide in the closet is the greatest thing I've ever seen in a game.
Square Enix might be creating another downloadable Hitman game. The UK office of the publisher has filed a trademark for the title Hitman: Sniper Assassin.
Announcement soon? This happened with Absolution. This sounds like a mobile game to me.
Square Enix has started a new Hitman Promotion where you can get Hitman: Sniper Challenge for free.
Your review is a bit off..
For one, you left out the game's challenges completely, which completing gives you a permanent points bonus. Another thing off is something you got wrong.. the "upgrades" are not for Hitman: Sniper Challenge. The gun you use in HM:SC stay the same no matter how many times you play, no matter what challenges you complete, no matter how many points you get.. it's always the same. The "upgrades" you unlock at certain point totals are actually for Hitman: Absolution.
The game is just a very, very small taste of Hitman: Absolution.. a game that has another 6 months of development in front of it and covers way more ground than a simple sniping game. The cool thing about the game is that it's actually something you can interact with to get game unlocks, rather than just getting a preorder code that unlocks whatever weapon for Hitman: Absolution when it comes out.
I disagree completely. I loved the demo. And it is just a demo whether they call it that or not.
In fact, I played this for over a week solid, probably a hundred times for about 25 hours while Max Payne sat neglected in my PS3.
I thought it gave a great taste of the freedom in the gameplay the final game could have. Even though it was just sniping.
I agree with BLAKHOODe, your review is a bit off. -There's no mention of the challenges or point multipliers.
-No mention of the fact this is a Challenge (Not a demo or preview) where players compete for a high score to win prizes.
This is more like a preview than a review with your score at the bottom.
And why would they put more than one sniper rifle? Developers want to keep some secrets for the final game.
You're entitled to your own opinion. But when you don't cover all the features of the game itself then what's the point?
I think you were expecting something completely different.
Edit: "I only included comments on what I've done and seen. I didn't know anything about having any permanent point bonuses." -_- It's not like it was hidden. It's like reviewing a game but only the campaign and not the multiplayer component.
Dude, you shouldnt submit your opinions for public scrutiny if the replies are going to upset you so much.
No need to start insulting people because they dont agree with you.
Valenka, the whole point f a comment section is for people to give there own insight, opinions in the subject at matter. Don't scrutinize others for having an opinion on your review, it makes you look bad. Absorb what these people are saying, for what they say do hold weight on the subject.