Stealth fans love IO Interactive's Hitman franchise for showing just how flexible the acclaimed stealth series can be. Compared to its previous incarnations, IO's take on Hitman proved to be perhaps the most expansive, the most dynamic, and the most replayable title across the entire franchise. After all, when a game map contains almost 300 NPCs with their own routines, assassinating one target opens a ton of possibilities.
Moreover, Hitman's compelling gameplay features make each playthrough a unique experience. Things such as disguises, multiple weapons, environmental hazards, and limited-time Elusive Targets help any kind of playstyle accommodate any mission. So, for players who want to become pro Hitman assassins, how exactly can they maximize these tactical offerings?
10 Understand What Alert Levels Mean
Thanks to alert levels, Hitman players can easily identify just how close to danger they are in a level. For instance, "Trespassing" means Agent 47's current disguise isn't allowed in an area. "Suspicious" means NPCs are aware something is wrong in their location. "Compromised" means NPCs are aware Agent 47's current disguise is "fake." Lastly, "Hunted & Combat" means NPCs are currently hunting Agent 47.
This advice might sound basic, but players can test alert level changes to know until when certain disguises hold up. Using this opportunity allows Agent 47 to capitalize on his disguises and maximize actions he can do.
9 Disguises Are More Complex
As a stealth game, it makes sense for Hitman to utilize disguises in missions. Agent 47 can incapacitate almost any NPC and wear their clothes, enabling him to enter most locations without arousing suspicion. However, IO's Hitman takes suspicion to a whole new level, as disguises may or may not arouse suspicion depending on NPCs Agent 47 interacts with.
For instance, Agent 47 can disguise himself as a guard and enter most locations. However, NPCs that are supervisors or managers tend to be more familiar with people in the area. As such, they may be suspicious of the player when they're dressed as an NPC not meant to be in the area. If players want to rely on disguises for a mission, they should study which NPCs are in certain areas.
8 Crowds Provide Easy Exits
Agent 47 isn't always alone in his missions. Sometimes, crowds help Agent 47 accomplish his kills without them even knowing it. In this regard, players should always be mindful of locations with crowds in them, and if there are in-game events that cause crowds to gather.
Agent 47 can get in a crowd to remove suspicion from authorities, and he can also use these crowds to give himself an opportunity to escape. Pros use crowds to navigate to other sections of the map to acquire new disguises and escape the authorities much faster.
7 Always Find Body Dumps
Disguises enable Agent 47 to navigate through complex environments without arousing suspicion. Unfortunately, NPCs who discover naked and unconscious NPCs will immediately alert the authorities. When doing a mission, Agent 47 should always roam around and figure out hiding spots to put bodies in.
These hiding spots include freezers, behind boxes, over ships, or hedges below balconies. It might also help to consider hiding bodies inside closets scattered around the map. Taking note of these locations not only give away body dumping spots, but also potential hiding locations.
6 Opportunity & Challenge Helps Memorize Maps
A lot of stealth fans want to play their games uninterrupted. As such, it makes sense for many Hitman fans to overlook the game's Opportunity and Challenge systems that appear before and during missions. However, players who want to achieve true mastery of the game might want to try accomplishing these objectives.
In its essence, these challenges help players get more familiar with the game map and the many elements that interact within them. These challenges might help players discover secret routes, hidden items, and unique opportunities that can aid them execute faster, more efficient, and quieter kills.
5 Always Have A Blunt Weapon Nearby
Players of Hitman understand how firing weapons can cost them the entire level. After all, gunfire sparks alarms, and alarms call for a lot of reinforcements. This caveat explains why players tend to painstakingly fiber wire everyone to submission. However, better alternatives that pros can use are nearby blunt objects that Agent 47 can throw at NPCs.
Agent 47 can throw things such as coconuts, wrenches, and soda cans to incapacitate NPCs. These thrown objects are much quieter and much easier to access compared to guns and their bullets. Moreover, the game's system allows Agent 47 to throw one item to one enemy, equip a new item, and throw the new item to another enemy with just a few clicks.
4 Being Unarmed Adds Map Mobility
Stealth fans want to come into missions prepared, which might be why they want Agent 47 to have his best assets whenever he begins finding his mark. However, Hitman NPCs usually frisk other NPCs entering establishments, and they may allow weapons depending on the job. If Agent 47 finds himself in civilian attire, a weapon in his person will immediately arouse suspicion.
Pro players usually enter missions unarmed, opting to find weapons and improvise escapes along the way. Not only does this test a player's skill, but it also maximizes Agent 47's range of movement around the map.
3 Take Note Of Routines
IO Interactive made an effort to make maps as populated and "alive" as possible, meaning almost all NPCs have certain routines and plans throughout the mission. Agent 47 can start stalking guards, NPCs relevant to the Target, or even the Target themselves as they roam around the level.
Players doing this should keep an eye out of opportunities to assassinate the Target. These include putting poison in their drinks, electrocuting them in the bathroom, or even throwing them off a ledge. Opportunities to eliminate their Target can be found all throughout the level, and players need to choose the best one for them.
2 Consider Vertical Movement
Who says Hitman is all about walking around the map? A lot of missions in Hitman feature vertical movements, such as ledges, columns, ladders, and pipes. These pathways often help Agent 47 find better vantage points in missions, so players should use these wisely. Moreover, these also present lucrative opportunities for escape routes and getting around the map much faster.
When a player starts a mission, they should consider finding these sections of the map first in order to gain easy access to overhead views of the mission location.
1 Secure Exits
One of the most overlooked pro tips for Hitman players would be securing their exits. When players assassinate the mark, it wouldn't take too long for NPCs to notice. Unfortunately, when they do notice the dead Target, alarms will ring and people will hunt Agent 47. Before this happens, players should have the initiative of securing their exit points.
Securing their egress point means knowing the area around their exit and the potential hiding places in the location. They can start stashing weapons and drop improvised weapons nearby in case of emergencies.