Hitman: Blood Money

Hitman: Blood Money is a stealth action game developed by IO Interactive, originally released on PlayStation 2 and the fourth installment in the Hitman series, continuing the storyline from Hitman: Contracts. Players once again take control of Agent 47, a cold-blooded professional killer. On January 25, 2024, an updated port titled Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal was released for Nintendo Switch.

The campaign reveals episodes from 47's career through a series of contracts around the world. Each location is a meticulously designed sandbox where targets can be eliminated in multiple ways: from careful infiltration using disguises to elaborate traps. The game is defined not by linearity, but by planning and the ability to read the environment.

Key innovations include the "Notoriety" and "Accident" systems. The former tracks how noticeable the hero was and affects NPC behavior in subsequent missions. The latter allows players to stage the deaths of victims as a result of accidents, expanding creative ways to eliminate targets. This is complemented by an updated scoring system that takes into account stealth, level of violence, and overall effectiveness of the playthrough.

Gameplay revolves around a wide array of weapons, gadgets, and auxiliary tools, allowing players to adapt to different scenarios and environments. The project encourages a thoughtful, strategic approach: observe, prepare, act stealthily — and leave without a trace.

The PlayStation 2 version stands out for its variety of settings and attention to detail in level design, making each mission feel unique and presenting its own tactical challenges.