When it comes to the Hitman series, there’s a big difference between missions and the locations. The backdrop plays a vital part in bolstering the replay value, with the best ones prompting players to revisit. For this reason, it’s worth looking at the most engaging locations seen so far.
Although some locations contain great gameplay, their lack of immersive environments has an adverse effect. Due to the lack of effective level design, these locations just don’t last too good in memory. With that in mind, here are the five best and the five worst places featured in the Hitman series. These are based on their visual appeal, creativity in design, and execution of the assassin theme.
10 Worst: Southland Amusement Park
One of the reasons why Hitman: Bloody Money is worth being considered one of the best spy games is its ability to make things interesting even in mundane environments. However, this amusement park is the backdrop for the first mission, and it’s barely worth remembering.
With an abandoned, decrepit feel to it, there’s no reason for players to get attached. You can’t find any interesting routes to take either, with the passageways comprising of tunnels and blank hallways. Even the target is taken out in an office rather than by a ride or anything fun.
9 Best: Miami
An absolutely high-octane place to be, Miami in Hitman 2 provides players with the kick in energy they need. Set within and around a race track, the location brings with it a sunny atmosphere and a huge crowd to make the feel of the place come alive.
There’s also the matter of plenty of opportunities lying around for players to get creative, with the unique theme of racing being implemented both in gameplay and the surroundings.
8 Worst: Bjarkhov Base, Russia
Although Hitman: Contracts falls pretty high up in the overall ranking of the series’ games, this location really has to be one of the most mundane. It comes down to the tundra environment, which is definitely not helped by the almost complete lack of immersive quality as most areas lie deserted.
Having to skirt around the security forces of the base to kill the target hiding deep within, and taking out the submarine, there’s absolutely no motivation provided to become attached to the surroundings.
7 Best: Colchagua Valley, Chile
The backdrop for the third mission in Hitman: Blood Money, this location is a resort based around a waterfall. Back in the day, the visuals were among the best to be found here, with the scenery something to behold.
Using the environment to one’s advantage makes this such an engaging location. As the resort’s many hidden areas and secrets can be exploited, this locations stands out for being both a deadly and a relaxing backdrop.
6 Worst: Slaughterhouse, Romania
This mission from Hitman: Contracts can very well be considered as part of the horror genre. Set at a party in a slaughterhouse, the mission is filled with bloody images and creepy stuff. Still, the location’s quality does suffer due to this, as players will not want to stick around.
Rather than perhaps brighten the area up a bit, or add in a more festive setting, the game has the slaughterhouse come across as barren and boring. There’s not much diversity in specific areas either, with every floor of the building feeling pretty much the same.
5 Best: Paris
This mission cemented Hitman to be among the best stealth games out there. However, a lot of credit goes to how this Paris show looks so real. Everything from the mansion, to the glitz and glamor, feels completely legit.
It’s also the first location Hitman fans experienced in bringing a plethora of hideouts and opportunities. From perching oneself at the outskirts by the river, or using the balconies for cover, there’s a whole lot to find out. In particular, it’s how well the audience is incorporated here - with the option of walking the runway also present - that Paris is so memorable.
4 Worst: New Zealand
There have been quite a few comparisons from this series to Metal Gear. This mission feels the closest in terms of likeness, with Agent 47 being more tactical than an assassin. And yet, the location does no favors, being pretty much an open beach with just a house to infiltrate.
It’s not even a particularly exciting house to be in either, lacking any surprises or even a distinct architectural style. Taking out the targets only requires one to hide in the most obvious locations, meaning the fun in completing assassinations is sucked out due to the lack of imagination of the surroundings.
3 Best: Chinatown
Hitman: Absolution gets a lot of flak for being a departure from the series theme. While that’s true, Chinatown most certainly resembles the best the franchise has to offer. Ripe with dozens of intricately placed traps and weapons, it’s a haven for the average Hitman fan.
On top of that, there’s a genuine festive design to the backdrop. It comes across as the real deal, as NPCs are seen partaking in activities, with attention to detail to the food stands and entertainment. The targets have to be taken out using smart tactics, all of which have to do with exploiting the surroundings.
2 Worst: Colorado
If there’s any place that makes you absolutely claustrophobic, it’s this one. Feeling very much like a Metal Gear game gone wrong, Colorado is far too restricted. The player can’t go much farther than one or two places, and the presence of so many hostiles ends up making the place feel even smaller.
Add to that, the environment’s restrictive nature ultimately brings very few assassination openings. Due to the dull design, it doesn’t qualify as a backdrop with a scenic quality either. Finally, the large gaps between targets brings an uneven feel from one kill to another.
1 Best: Sapienza
The Hitman series entered the sandbox genre with this game, and Sapienza is like a whole new world. Although you’re meant to kill people, the gorgeous visuals will tempt you to simply take a stroll in those cobbled streets.
Most importantly, it’s this backdrop that brings the “World of Assassination” theme to its full force. From using the shops to the mountains, and even the church, pretty much any route can be taken to get the targets. Sapienza brings in variations in the many levels within its map. This has the effect of refreshing the gameplay within the same mission.