Review: Hitman HD Enhanced Collection (PlayStation 4)

The Hitman HD Enhanced Collection brings together two iconic Hitman titles in high resolution, 60fps quality. Follow the story of Agent 47 as he prepares to make a killing in Hitman: Blood Money HD, and how he pursues redemption in Hitman: Absolution HD.

Pros:

• HD Graphics.
• Download sizes:
  • Hitman HD- 27.95GB DL Size.
  • Absolution-7.43GB DL Size.
• Game settings:
  • Hitman HD- Invert axis, Aim assist, Speed sliders and hints on/off.
  • Absolution- picture in picture camera (PIP), Blood, Gamma, and subtitles.
• Opening tutorial in both games.
• Subtitles on/off.
• Gameplay- Play as Agent 47 and take out your targets any way you can. Use the environment for cover, Take peoples identities and get weapons. All bets are off.
• Difficulties:
  • Hitman HD- Easy/Normal/Hard/Expert and Purist.
  • Absolution- Rookie/Normal/Expert and Professional.
• Play how you want.
• With so many ways to do your missions, You have so much replayability.
• Hit and activate checkpoints.
• Smooth animations.
• End of level breakdown and rating.
• Absolution- First and third person views. Simple button press.
• Loadout- Choose what to take in from firearms to decoys to outfits.
• Platinum trophy.
• HUD- Basically the same in each game but with a different style of presentation. Shows health/instinct/equipped item and a mini-map.
• Hitman HD instinct- Hitman/Batman vision. You can see targets and enemies through walls. This bar also goes down when you use it to blend in or walk past someone who may notice you.
• Challenges- Complete missions but also do it in particular ways or do some extras to earn new gear.
• Hitman HD- Clear on-screen button icons to show what can be interacted with.
• Point shooting- Hitman HD only. This is like Deadeye in Red Dead, Activate it then mark the targets and let go for a fast flurry of shots.
• Save when you want.
• Fast loading times.
• Controls-
  • Hitman HD- Left-hand support, Swap L3 and R3 sticks and action controller layout choice.
  • Absolution- Invert vertical, Simplify strangles, Auto aim and turn speed slider.
• Absolution involves missions with multiple targets in a mission.
• Actions- You can distract people with items or environmental interactions, Knock people out or kill them in many many many ways. Dump bodies into closets bins or over a cliff.
• Murder simulator sandbox.
• Decent cutscenes and voicework.
• A lot of truly jaw-dropping locations and vistas.
• More emphasis on the story in these two games.

Cons:

• Hitman HD-
  • Few dodgy AI interactions/actions.
  • Cutscenes always show you in your suit regardless and when you leave the cutscene you are in fact back in your suit.
  • Light is far too reflective.
  • No HDR support.
  • Some ugly textures.
  • Few instances of being seen through walls.
  • Hard to drag bodies and still be able to see around you.
• Absolution-
  • Cannot view controls in the game.
  • Ugly textures in a lot of places especially horrid jagged buildings and backdrops.
  • You can save whenever but you lose progress in level regardless when you exit.
  • Different controls from Hitman HD.
  • Cutscenes look low quality.
  • Cold looking UI.
  • The controls are sensitive even after adjusting the slider.
  • The tutorial is lackluster especially compared to Hitman HD, Doesn’t explain all the elements or even the HUD.
  • Bad ragdoll effects. I say bad, They are funny as hell but it breaks the immersion.