For me, the only Hitman there has been is World of Assassination. Finally making the jump into the series with Hitman 2 a month before the third game arrived, it took no convincing for me to be ready for that third one. But have I ever thought of going back in time to see what the classic games were like? Considering how fast I jumped on Blood Money – Reprisal once it released, I think the answer is already clear.

Originally released in 2006, Blood Money sees Agent 47 involved in various contracts given to him by the ICA. These contracts take him all over the world, to places such as an opera house, a suburban cul-de-sac, and a ship. Though playing as 47, these contracts are past events, as the story is given to a journalist by a former FBI Director who claims that the urban myth that is 47 has been found and contained by him.

The plot has never been that important to me with Hitman, but I still recognise that this is a fun way to frame the story. What is important is the gameplay, and the freedom of performing the objectives how I want. The options given seem limited, but this is just as free in approach as World of Assassination. And it all starts with the tutorial at a closed theme park on a pier.

As a tutorial, it works. Set on a linear route through this park, each of the mechanics of the stealth and gunplay are revealed. Coin throwing for distraction, fibre wire takedowns, and even using bombs to blow up winches are covered. For me, throwing things is the hardest thing to adjust to. Both times I’ve attempted the coin toss to distract the guards in that tutorial level, I’ve failed to distract them long enough to make the run for it.

The controls are pretty close to World of Assassination, meaning I haven’t really had much trouble. The addition of a minimap has some uses in navigating the floor I’m currently on, but Instinct feels really underpowered here. Instinct is the ability to highlight usable items and people based on who they are. Its addition to Blood Money only works at a short distance, and not through walls, so feels unneeded in comparison to the map.

As for that map, its ability to highlight every target and guard in real time at each area is invaluable. But navigating different floors with it can prove troublesome. Outside and inside areas are separated into individual sections, no matter if they’re on the same level. The same is also true of some indoor areas, that don’t align themselves correctly to the overall map. Such makes navigating between floors awkward.

After the linear opening level, the rest of them are far more open, even if a few are contained to single buildings. That doesn’t make much difference in terms of quality, as the Paris Opera House is one of those levels I love. All of them have things to love about them, though my preference of favourites once again goes to those with a good balance of outdoor and indoor areas.

An interesting factor of Blood Money is that money plays a part in the game. Each time a contract is completed, a payment is given to 47. Along with getting a rating based on how much violence and noise you made during the mission. Notoriety will build up to 100%, which gives one use for spending that money. The other use is for weapon upgrades and gaining new equipment.

The ICA will provide one pistol, shotgun, and sniper rifle, with two assault rifles. While it’s possible to bring back more weapons to add to the collection, these ICA ones are the only ones that can be upgraded. Such upgrades include silencers and extra ammo, and in the case of the pistol, the ability to wield two of them. The equipment allows the carrying of health boosters, armour vests, and extra explosives.

It very much feels like a precursor to Freelancer from World of Assassination. Each has their own reasons for how they make use of the mechanics, so I could never say one is better than the other. But in playing Blood Money, it’s certainly given me ideas for how a new Hitman game – were Agent 47 and Diana to remain as freelancers – could play in terms of gameplay.

This revisit to a classic Hitman experience with Blood Money – Reprisal has been a fun one. While hesitant at first, I’ve quickly found it to be just as great as World of Assassination, despite its limitations. I would say that if you want to experience a classic Hitman game, Blood Money – Reprisal is the one you want to play.

Images Taken From:
Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal | Nintendo Switch [Docked]