Things come to a head as all the other agents (whom you never see or interact with) are apparently being professionally killed off and 47's life comes into jeopardy. There are some twists towards the end, but I don't want to spoil anything. Just make sure to wiggle the left analog stick when the credits first start to roll in the chapel and see what happens.
A few other minor quibbles I had were with the antiquated inventory system, tedious death animations, some unskippable cut scenes, and 47's likeability this time around. The inventory is cumbersome to use, but at least it freezes gameplay while you're accessing it.
Death animations run on forever sometimes, and you can't skip them or pause them (you can't pause or access the map during ANY kinds of animations). Some of the other cut scenes can't be skipped either, making it worth your time to save the game after each one, just so you don't have to sit through it again.
All of those issues could be polished up pretty neatly, but one of the things I missed the most from earlier games in the series was 47's personality. He was repentant for his prior sins, and had assumed a quiet life of a gardener. He hid his weapons in a tool shed inside a monastery and went to confession every day. He was a likeable guy.
Now in Blood Money he's just a tool of the trade. He speaks little, has no friends, and hides out in a slum. There's not much to like about him anymore.
The game isn't without its annoyances, but if you give it enough time and patience, it starts to feel worth the effort, and the feeling of satisfaction you get from being labeled a ghost of a killer in the entertaining media coverage of your exploits is pretty hefty. Give it a shot, pun intended.
Hitman: Blood Money is rated M (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs. This game can also be found on: PC, Xbox, Xbox 360.
Article comments
1 - Ken Edwards
I wish I had more time to play this one. I have it for the 360 and absolutely love it.
But then I never use first-person view.
The trial-and-error of levels doesn't bother me at all, but that is what Hitman is all about.
It is all about getting the Silent Assassin rank, and that usually takes a few times at least.