Did Hitman: Absolution Sell Well? Examining a Complex Success
Yes, Hitman: Absolution did sell well, but its success is more nuanced than a simple sales number indicates. As of March 2013, the game had sold over 3.6 million copies. While this figure is undoubtedly impressive, it’s crucial to understand the context surrounding the game’s release and its impact on the future of the Hitman franchise. Despite the sales numbers, the game’s reception among long-time fans was considerably mixed, leading to a “soft reboot” of the series with 2016’s Hitman. So, while it was a commercial success, the impact of Absolution on the franchise is far more complex.
Sales Figures vs. Fan Reception
The 3.6 million copies sold indicate a strong initial commercial performance. However, the critical and fan reception of Hitman: Absolution painted a different picture. Many long-time fans felt that the game deviated too far from the core tenets of the series, prioritizing a linear, narrative-driven experience over the open-ended, sandbox gameplay that defined previous entries like Hitman: Blood Money and Hitman: Contracts.
This divergence is key to understanding the “disappointing reception” mentioned when discussing the franchise’s soft reboot. While new players may have enjoyed Absolution for its cinematic presentation and more accessible gameplay, core fans were alienated by the game’s perceived lack of freedom and focus on action over stealth.
The Impact on the Franchise
The sales figures of Hitman: Absolution undoubtedly contributed to the decision to continue the Hitman franchise. However, the negative feedback from the fanbase was equally important. The developers at IO Interactive clearly recognized that they needed to address the concerns of their core audience. This led to the development of the 2016 Hitman, a game that was designed to be a “soft reboot” of the series, returning to the open-ended gameplay and intricate level design that fans had come to expect.
The 2016 Hitman, Hitman 2 (2018), and Hitman 3 (collectively known as the World of Assassination trilogy) were all critically acclaimed and commercially successful, proving that the Hitman franchise was still a viable and popular property. These games essentially distanced themselves from the design choices of Absolution, embracing the sandbox formula and focusing on player agency. This shows that while Hitman: Absolution was a commercial success in terms of raw sales, it also acted as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of staying true to the core values of the franchise.
Understanding “Soft Reboot”
The term “soft reboot” is crucial in understanding the legacy of Hitman: Absolution. A soft reboot acknowledges the existence of previous installments but essentially re-establishes the core gameplay, tone, and style of the franchise, often with a new storyline. In the case of Hitman, the 2016 title retained Agent 47 and the overarching premise of contract killing, but it significantly altered the gameplay mechanics and level design to align more closely with the series’ roots.
This approach allowed IO Interactive to attract both new and old players. Newcomers could jump into the franchise without feeling overwhelmed by previous lore, while long-time fans could rejoice in the return to the classic Hitman formula. The success of the World of Assassination trilogy is a testament to the effectiveness of this strategy.
Is Hitman: Absolution Worth Playing?
Whether Hitman: Absolution is worth playing depends entirely on your preferences. If you are a die-hard fan of the classic Hitman games and prioritize open-ended gameplay and stealth over story, you may find Absolution disappointing. However, if you are new to the franchise or enjoy more linear, narrative-driven stealth games, you may find Absolution to be an enjoyable experience.
Ultimately, Hitman: Absolution remains a significant entry in the Hitman franchise, though its sales success doesn’t negate the criticism that it received. It served as a learning experience for IO Interactive, guiding them toward the successful formula of the World of Assassination trilogy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hitman: Absolution
1. How many copies of Hitman: Absolution were sold?
Hitman: Absolution sold over 3.6 million copies as of March 2013.
2. Why was Hitman: Absolution so controversial among fans?
Fans criticized Hitman: Absolution for its more linear level design, focus on story over gameplay, and changes to the disguise system.
3. Is Hitman: Absolution canon?
Yes, all the Hitman games, including Hitman: Absolution, are considered canon within the Hitman universe.
4. Was Hitman: Absolution remastered?
Yes, a remastered version of Hitman: Absolution was released as part of the Hitman HD Enhanced Collection for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
5. How big is Hitman: Absolution in terms of file size?
The hard drive space required for Hitman: Absolution is approximately 24GB.
6. How old is Agent 47 in Hitman: Absolution?
Based on his birthdate, Agent 47 would have been 48 years old at the time of the events of Hitman: Absolution, which takes place in 2012.
7. Is Hitman 2016 a sequel to Hitman: Absolution?
Hitman (2016) is considered a soft reboot of the series, set in the same continuity as previous installments, but with a return to the open-ended gameplay of earlier titles. It follows Absolution, but ignores many of its plot threads.
8. How long does it take to complete Hitman: Absolution?
The main story of Hitman: Absolution takes around 12.5 hours to complete. Achieving 100% completion can take around 36.5 hours.
9. Which Hitman game is considered the best by most fans?
While subjective, many fans consider Hitman: Blood Money and the World of Assassination trilogy (Hitman, Hitman 2, and Hitman 3) to be the best entries in the series.
10. What is Hitman: Absolution rated?
Hitman: Absolution is rated M for Mature due to its violence, blood, strong language, and suggestive themes.
11. Is Hitman: Absolution backwards compatible?
Yes, Hitman: Absolution is backwards compatible on Xbox consoles.
12. What is the storyline of Hitman: Absolution?
Hitman: Absolution follows Agent 47 as he goes on a mission to protect a young girl named Victoria, while also being hunted by his former employers.
13. What are the key differences between Hitman: Absolution and Hitman: Blood Money?
Hitman: Absolution is more linear and story-driven, with a greater emphasis on action and stealth. Hitman: Blood Money offers more open-ended gameplay, allowing players to approach missions in a variety of ways with a greater emphasis on “accidents” and black comedy.
14. What makes the Hitman: World of Assassination trilogy so popular?
The World of Assassination trilogy is praised for its intricate level design, open-ended gameplay, creativity, and replayability, allowing players to experiment with different strategies and approaches to each mission.
15. What is the purpose of the Games Learning Society?
The Games Learning Society explores the intersection of game design and learning, aiming to promote research and innovation in the use of games for educational purposes. More information can be found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.