Hitman Showdown: Should You Play Hitman 1 or 2 First?
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The age-old question for aspiring Agent 47 recruits: Should you play Hitman (2016) or Hitman 2 (2018) first? The answer, unequivocally, is Hitman (2016). While Hitman 2 refines many mechanics and has a compelling narrative that directly builds upon its predecessor, starting with Hitman gives you a crucial foundation. You’ll learn the core gameplay loop, the intricacies of each map, and the characters who drive the overarching story. Think of it as learning the alphabet before trying to write a novel. You will then gain much more appreciation for the refinements and features present in Hitman 2.
Why Start With Hitman (2016)?
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Story Context: The rebooted Hitman trilogy has a continuous narrative. Jumping into Hitman 2 without experiencing the first game is like starting a TV series in the second season – you’ll miss crucial context, character introductions, and the initial setup of the main conflict. While Hitman 2 does a decent job of summarizing previous events, it lacks the impact of experiencing them firsthand.
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Gradual Learning Curve: Hitman (2016) introduces the mechanics and playstyle gradually. Each episode (or location) offers a new playground to experiment with disguises, opportunities, and assassination methods. You’ll have time to master the fundamentals before facing the more complex challenges in Hitman 2.
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Appreciation for Improvements: Hitman 2 builds upon the foundation laid by Hitman in many ways, including improved AI, better graphics, and new gameplay features. By playing Hitman first, you’ll fully appreciate these enhancements and how they contribute to the overall experience.
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The Legacy Pack Advantage: If you own Hitman (2016), you can access its levels within Hitman 2 as the “Legacy Pack”. This effectively turns Hitman 2 into a massive collection of levels, combining the best of both games. If you do not own Hitman (2016), you will not be able to access them.
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Understanding the World of Assassination: The narrative arc of all 3 games is tightly woven. You’ll understand the relationships between characters and factions better if you play them in order.
Key Differences and Similarities
Both games share the same core gameplay loop: exploring intricate locations, observing routines, acquiring disguises, and executing creative assassinations. Hitman 2 benefits from a slightly more refined engine, enhanced graphics, and new features like picture-in-picture and crowd blending. The narrative in both games is engaging, and it builds to an epic crescendo in Hitman 3.
Both games have a large number of challenges to complete as well as unlocks to acquire. Both games provide immense replayability as you explore the maps and master each map. Both games require planning, patience, and persistence in order to be successful.
The Allure of the Hitman Series
The Hitman series, especially the World of Assassination trilogy, is celebrated for its ingenious level design, unparalleled player freedom, and satisfying sense of accomplishment. Each location is a meticulously crafted sandbox, offering countless ways to eliminate your targets. Whether you prefer a silent, ghost-like approach or a more chaotic, explosive style, the choice is yours. The Hitman series focuses on rewarding players with new weapons, gadgets, and disguises to give you an advantage.
The series consistently scores highly with both fans and critics. The series blends the elements of stealth, puzzle-solving, and simulation, creating a unique experience. The freedom to approach each mission in your own way creates a high degree of replayability and allows the player to exercise creativity. The levels are expansive with unique characters and environments.
FAQs: Your Hitman Questions Answered
1. Are Hitman 1 and 2 worth playing?
Absolutely! Both Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 are fantastic games that offer hours of replayable content and a compelling story. The level design is top-notch, and the freedom to experiment with different approaches is incredibly rewarding. The Hitman and Hitman 2 games introduce key gameplay features that are then refined in Hitman 3.
2. Can I play all of Hitman 1 in Hitman 2?
Yes, if you own Hitman (2016), you can import its levels into Hitman 2 as the “Legacy Pack.” This effectively combines the content of both games into a single, seamless experience. This import feature gives you more levels and more content overall.
3. Is Hitman 2 free if you have Hitman 1?
The levels from Hitman (2016) are not automatically free in Hitman 2. You need to claim the “Legacy Pack” as a free add-on if you own the first game.
4. Is the story important in the Hitman games?
Yes, the story in the World of Assassination trilogy is more significant than many people realize. While you can certainly enjoy the games for their gameplay alone, following the narrative adds another layer of depth and engagement. The overarching story involves mystery, intrigue, and a conspiracy that spans all three games.
5. Should I play Hitman 1, 2, or 3?
Ideally, you should play all three games in order: Hitman (2016), Hitman 2, and Hitman 3. This will allow you to fully appreciate the story, gameplay improvements, and interconnectedness of the trilogy. However, if you’re short on time, starting with Hitman (2016) and then moving on to Hitman 3 is a viable option, though you’ll miss out on some narrative context.
6. Is Hitman 2 easy?
Hitman 2, like other Hitman games, can be challenging for new players. Learning the map layouts, understanding enemy patterns, and mastering the disguise system takes time and practice. However, the game offers plenty of tools and resources to help you succeed, and experimentation is key. Hitman 2 provides a good balance of difficulty and accessibility, making it an enjoyable experience for both newcomers and veterans.
7. Is it worth buying Hitman 2?
Yes, Hitman 2 is definitely worth buying, especially if you enjoy the Hitman gameplay formula. It offers a variety of well-designed levels, a compelling story, and numerous opportunities for creative assassinations. Hitman 2 is considered a fan favorite for its unique locations.
8. Is Hitman 2 hard to play?
Hitman 2 can be challenging, especially on higher difficulty settings or when attempting specific challenges. The game requires patience, observation, and strategic thinking. However, it’s also very rewarding to overcome these challenges and execute a perfectly planned assassination. Some players have said that Hitman 2 is the most challenging game in the series.
9. Should I start with Hitman 2?
While you can start with Hitman 2, it’s generally recommended to begin with Hitman (2016) for the reasons outlined above. Starting with Hitman (2016) will give you a strong foundation in the Hitman universe.
10. Are Hitman 1, 2, and 3 connected?
Yes, Hitman (2016), Hitman 2, and Hitman 3 form a continuous narrative trilogy, often referred to as the World of Assassination. The story, characters, and events of each game are interconnected. If you don’t play them in order, you may miss out on key story elements.
11. Which Hitman version is the best?
Many fans consider Hitman 3 to be the best in the trilogy, thanks to its refined gameplay, stunning graphics, and satisfying conclusion to the story. However, each game has its own strengths and appeal.
12. Which is the best Hitman to play?
As mentioned previously, it is best to play all three games in order. However, the consensus is that Hitman 3 is the best game in the World of Assassination trilogy.
13. Can you cheat in Hitman 2?
Yes, there are ways to enable cheats in Hitman 2 by modifying the game’s configuration files. However, it’s generally not recommended to use cheats, as they can detract from the challenge and sense of accomplishment.
14. Can Hitman 1 play Hitman 3?
No, Hitman (2016) cannot directly play Hitman 3. However, you can access the levels from Hitman (2016) within Hitman 3 by purchasing the appropriate Access Pass.
15. Are Hitman 1 and 2 the same?
While Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 share the same core gameplay mechanics, they are distinct games with different stories, locations, and challenges. Hitman 2 also introduces some new features and improvements, making it a more refined experience overall.
Conclusion
While Hitman 2 boasts improvements and a compelling story that directly follows its predecessor, starting with Hitman (2016) provides the best foundation for understanding the World of Assassination trilogy. You’ll gain a better appreciation for the gameplay, the story, and the overall experience.
Playing all three games in order provides the most rewarding experience possible and the World of Assassination trilogy is the highest quality stealth/puzzle experience.
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