View source for Hitman 2: Silent Assassin

{{short description|2002 video game}}
{{About|the second installment in the Hitman franchise|the 2018 game|Hitman 2 (2018 video game)}}
{{Infobox video game
| title     = Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
| image     = Hitman 2 artwork.jpg
| developer = [[IO Interactive]]
| publisher = [[Eidos Interactive]]{{efn|[[Eidos Interactive#Square Enix Europe|Square Enix Europe]] published the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]] versions.}}
| writer    = Morten Iversen
| composer  = [[Jesper Kyd]]
| series    = ''[[Hitman (franchise)|Hitman]]''
| engine    = [[Glacier (game engine)|Glacier]]
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[PlayStation 2]]|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]|[[GameCube]]|[[PlayStation 3]]|[[Xbox 360]]}}
| released  = '''PlayStation 2''', '''Windows''', '''Xbox'''{{Video game release|NA|1 October 2002|EU|4 October 2002|AU|18 October 2002<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Hitman 2: Silent Assassin'' |url=http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=list&type=genre&platform=1&genre=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030108201059/http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=list&type=genre&platform=1&genre=10 |archive-date=8 January 2003 |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=GameNation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Hitman 2: Silent Assassin'' |url=http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=list&type=genre&platform=11&genre=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030115085451/http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=list&type=genre&platform=11&genre=10 |archive-date=15 January 2003 |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=Game Nation}}</ref>}}'''GameCube'''{{Video game release|NA|17 June 2003|PAL|27 June 2003<ref>{{Cite web |title=Release Schedule |url=http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=releaseschedule&platform=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030609030012/http://gamenation.com.au/product/?action=releaseschedule&platform=10 |archive-date=9 June 2003 |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=Game Nation}}</ref><br>'''PlayStation 3''', '''Xbox 360'''{{Video game release|NA|29 January 2013|PAL|1 February 2013}}}}
| genre     = [[Stealth game|Stealth]]
| modes     = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
'''''Hitman 2: Silent Assassin''''' is a 2002 [[Stealth game|stealth video game]] developed by [[IO Interactive]] and published by [[Eidos Interactive]] for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[GameCube]]. The game was re-released for Windows through the [[Steam (service)|Steam]] online distribution service,<ref>{{cite web|title=Hitman 2: Silent Assassin on Steam|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/6850|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626131310/http://store.steampowered.com/app/6850/|archive-date=26 June 2011|access-date=22 June 2011|publisher=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]}}</ref> and a [[Digital rights management|DRM]]-free version was later made available through [[GOG.com]]. It is the second installment in the [[Hitman (franchise)|''Hitman'' video game series]] and the sequel to ''[[Hitman: Codename 47]]'' (2000). The [[Single-player video game|single-player]] story once again follows [[Agent 47]], a [[Genetic engineering|genetically enhanced]] human [[Cloning|clone]] who worked for the International Contract Agency (ICA) as an assassin. Following the events of ''Codename 47'', the former [[Contract killing|contract killer]] has retired and started a peaceful life at a church, but after his only friend, [[The Reverend|Reverend]] Emilio Vittorio, is kidnapped by unknown assailants, 47 resumes work for the ICA in hopes of tracking him down.

Like its predecessor, gameplay focuses on eliminating targets while trying to remain undetected for as long as possible, may it be by taking [[disguise]]s, avoiding suspicious enemies, or other means. The more action-focused segments from ''Codename 47'' have been removed in favor of entirely stealth-focused missions, though players are free to [[Nonlinear gameplay|choose their own]] style of gameplay. The game introduces the option for a first-person view, the ability to incapacitate enemies instead of killing them, and missions with multiple possible approaches.

''Silent Assassin'' received generally positive reviews from critics, who considered it to be an improvement over its predecessor in every respect. The game was also a commercial success, having sold more than 3.7 million copies as of 23 April 2009, which makes it the best-selling ''Hitman'' game in the original series (prior to 2016's ''[[Hitman (2016 video game)|Hitman]]'').<ref name="squareenix">{{cite web|date=22 April 2009|title=Corporate Strategy Meeting|url=http://www.square-enix.com/eng/pdf/news/20090422_02en.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307062011/http://www.square-enix.com/eng/pdf/news/20090422_02en.pdf|archive-date=7 March 2012|access-date=3 July 2012|publisher=[[Square Enix]]|page=16|type=PDF}}</ref> High-definition [[Porting#Porting of video games|ports]] of ''Silent Assassin'' and its successors, ''[[Hitman: Contracts|Contracts]]'' (2004) and ''[[Hitman: Blood Money|Blood Money]]'' (2006), were released on [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]] in January 2013 in the form of the ''Hitman HD Trilogy''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sarkar|first=Samit|date=28 January 2013|title=Hitman: HD Trilogy trailer revisits the series' hits|url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/1/28/3924790/hitman-hd-trilogy-trailer|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|access-date=20 January 2019|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129191641/https://www.polygon.com/2013/1/28/3924790/hitman-hd-trilogy-trailer|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Hitman2-screenshot01.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A man wielding gun looks across the unconscious, naked body of a guard in an outside storage facility.|[[Agent 47]] wearing a guard's clothes after knocking him down]]''Hitman 2'' features mission-based gameplay and is presented from the [[Third-person (video games)|third-person perspective]], which can optionally be switched to a [[First-person shooter|first-person view]]. On each level, the main character, a [[Contract killing|contract killer]] named [[Agent 47]], is given a set of objectives to complete. Most levels require the assassination of one or more people. The way through which the missions are to be completed is up to the player, and there are often a variety of ways to complete missions. Instead of taking an action-oriented, aggressive approach, one can also set traps, like [[poison]]ing a drink, to terminate the target in silence. Some missions have assassination possibilities unique to the level.

Agent 47 can find disguises or remove them from an incapacitated person to blend in with his surroundings and access restricted areas. This plays in with the "suspicion" system; a bar beside the health meter on the [[Head-up display|HUD]] represents how much suspicion the player garners. There are multiple ways to blend in more effectively; for example, the player can make sure to carry an [[AK-47]] assault rifle while disguised as a [[Russian Ground Forces|Russian soldier]]. Despite the usage of a uniform, being too near to fellow guards will increase the suspicion as they would have an opportunity to more closely examine Agent 47. Running, climbing and being in restricted places are other ways to garner concern.

Agent 47's cover can be blown if suspicion gets too high, and the disguise will no longer be of any use. It is possible to switch between multiple disguises throughout the level.

''Hitman 2'' uses the concept of a post-mission ranking system, in which the player is given a status based on how they completed the mission, rated along a stealthy-aggressive axis, between "Silent Assassin", a stealthy player who manages to complete the level without being noticed and only killing two non-targeting people excluding the intended target(s), and "Mass Murderer", a non-stealthy player who kills everyone. The game rewards the player for critical thinking and problem solving, encouraging the player not to treat the game as a simple shooter. Achieving "Silent Assassin" status on multiple missions rewards the player with bonus weapons. These weapons, plus items found in previous levels, can be carried over into future ones, allowing for differing means of accomplishing the tasks. Big weapons like [[rifle]]s and [[shotgun]]s cannot be concealed, thus the player has to either be wearing an appropriate disguise to match the weapon, or make sure no one sees the player use it.

== Plot ==
Following the events of ''[[Hitman: Codename 47]]'' (2000), two men investigate the massacre left by [[Agent 47]] at the facility of his creator, Dr. Ort-Meyer, in Romania. One of them recognizes the former assassin on video footage of the events, and decides that they must "hire" him. Meanwhile, 47, having retired after erasing all evidence of his existence, leads a new life as a humble gardener at a [[Sicily|Sicilian]] church owned by the Reverend Emilio Vittorio. One day, after 47 attends confession to ask for forgiveness for his past, a group of unknown men arrive at the church and abduct Vittorio, leaving behind a [[Ransom#Ransom notes|ransom note]] demanding $500,000.

Unable to pay such a sum, 47 contacts his former employers, the International Contract Agency (ICA), for assistance. The organisation agrees to help in exchange for 47 returning to complete several contracts for them. Although he learns that the abduction was conducted by the local [[Sicilian Mafia|Mafia]] and kills the person who handled it, 47 is unable to find Vittorio, and is left to repay his debt to the ICA. His missions take him to various locations in [[Russia]], [[Japan]], [[Malaysia]], [[Afghanistan]] and [[India]], and each require collecting an important item for his client. In time, he eventually gives up his search for Vittorio, who he assumes is dead.

After eliminating his last target, Agent 47 is informed by the ICA that Vittorio's kidnapping was orchestrated by Sergei Zavorotko, the brother of Arkadij Jegorov (one of 47's five genetic donors and targets from the first game), in order to lure 47 out of retirement. In addition, he learns that all the targets were connected to the sale of a [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear warhead]] to Sergei, who needed them eliminated in order to conceal the fact that he intended to arm the warheads to missiles that possessed software which would disguise them as American-made, therefore bypassing the American [[United States national missile defense|missile defense]] system, and sell them to interested parties. 47 pursues Sergei, who has taken Vittorio back to his church, and kills him and his men. Concerned for his soul, Vittorio begs 47 to renounce his path of violence and lead a good life, handing him his [[Rosary]]. Unable to find [[inner peace]], however, Agent 47 leaves the Rosary on the church's door, and formally returns to the ICA.

== Development ==
One of the major complaints critics made about the first game was that it was inaccessible to most players due to its unfriendly nature, featuring difficult gameplay and a broken [[Saved game#Checkpoints|checkpoint]] system.<ref name="pcgamer200112">{{cite journal |last=Smith |first=Rob |date=December 2001 |title=''Hitman 2'' |journal=[[PC Gamer]] |volume=8 |issue=12 |page=28 |issn=1080-4471 |oclc=31776112}}</ref> Improvements were made to the game's [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] and many levels were made smaller and more focused. Additional items would be available in the second installment, including [[chloroform]] for quietly taking down enemies and a [[crossbow]] which could silently kill opponents. The initial story for the game would take place after the events of the first game. After hearing the changes planned for ''Hitman 2'', ''[[PC Gamer]]'' declared in December 2001 that "''Hitman 2'' should be everything we wished of its predecessor – and that gives us extremely high hopes."<ref name="pcgamer200112"/>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (GC) 83/100<ref name="MCGC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-2-silent-assassin/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Hitman 2: Silent Assassin for GameCube Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129193309/https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-2-silent-assassin/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PC) 87/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-2-silent-assassin/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Hitman 2: Silent Assassin for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129193310/https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-2-silent-assassin/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PS2) 85/100<ref name="MCPS2">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-2-silent-assassin/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Hitman 2: Silent Assassin for PlayStation 2 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129193313/https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-2-silent-assassin/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(Xbox) 84/100<ref name="MCXBOX">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-2-silent-assassin/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Hitman 2: Silent Assassin for Xbox Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129193311/https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-2-silent-assassin/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |url-status=live }}</ref>
| EGM = 7/8/8.5/10<ref name=egm>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1237599,00.asp |title=Hitman 2: Silent Assassin |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |date=1 August – 3 September 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040114001200/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0%2C4364%2C1237599%2C00.asp |archive-date=14 January 2004 |access-date=10 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.6/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last=Kasavin |first=Greg |date=8 October 2002 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hitman-2-silent-assassin-review/1900-2884880/ |title=Hitman 2: Silent Assassin review |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=15 April 2009 |archive-date=13 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113191455/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hitman-2-silent-assassin-review/1900-2884880/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| EuroG = 7/10
| IGN = 8.7/10
}}
''Hitman 2: Silent Assassin'' received "generally positive" reviews, according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCGC" /><ref name="MCPC" /><ref name="MCPS2" /><ref name="MCXBOX" /> ''[[GameSpot]]'' gave it a score of 8.6/10, saying that it "fixes virtually all of the problems of its predecessor" and is still an "outstanding" game.<ref name="GSpot" /> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' scored ''Hitman 2''{{'}}s GameCube version 7/8/8.5: the first reviewer criticized its artificial intelligence and mission briefings, but said that "each time I circumvented the immeasurable odds and made the crucial killing blow, ''Hitman 2'' was briefly a blast"; the third reviewer summarized it as "an engaging adventure title that rewards patient players".<ref name=egm/>

Despite the 7/8/8.5 scores given by ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'', the cover of the GameCube release says "9/10 ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' Gold Award". This score is erroneously taken from the magazine's review of the PlayStation 2 version. When confronted with the issue by ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'', Eidos said it would remove the score in future printings.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Letters |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |page=24 |date=November 2003}}</ref>

''Hitman 2'' has sold more than 3.7 million copies as of 23 April 2009.<ref name="squareenix" /> By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of ''Hitman 2'' had sold 1.1 million copies and earned $39 million in the United States. ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' ranked it as the 47th-highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined console sales of ''Hitman'' games released in the 2000s reached 2 million units in the United States by July 2006.<ref name=nextgensales2>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028115051/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1 |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1 |title=The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century|author1=Campbell, Colin |author2=Keiser, Joe  | date=July 29, 2006 |work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |archive-date=October 28, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Hitman 2''{{'}}s PC and Xbox releases each received a "Silver" sales award from the [[The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment|Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA),<ref name=silverelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221154943/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3942 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3942 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Silver |work=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 100,000 copies per version in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ELSPA gave the game's PlayStation 2 release a [[Essentials (PlayStation)|"Platinum" certification]]<ref name=platinumelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515224703/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3944 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum |work=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archive-date=May 15, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> for sales of at least 300,000 copies in the region.<ref name=gamasutrasales />

''Hitman 2'' was nominated for ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''{{'}}s 2002 "Action Game of the Year" award, which ultimately went to ''[[Medal of Honor: Allied Assault]]''. The editors wrote, "''Hitman 2'' is a huge improvement over the original, and it's one of the best games of last year in any genre."<ref name=cgwpremier2002>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | title=''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s 2002 Games of the Year |date=April 2003 | issue=225 | pages=83–86, 88, 89, 92–97 }}</ref> ''GameSpot'' presented the game with its annual "Most Improved Sequel on PC" award. It was also nominated for ''GameSpot''{{'}}s "Best Music on PC", "Best Single-Player Action Game on PC", "Best Music on Xbox", "Best Sound on PlayStation 2", "Best Music on PlayStation 2" and "Best Action Adventure Game on Xbox" prizes.<ref name=bestworst2002>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2002 | author=''GameSpot'' Staff | date=December 30, 2002 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=February 7, 2003 | url-status=dead }}</ref> During the [[6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''Hitman 2'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year|Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2003&idGame=438 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Hitman 2 |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801175440/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2003&idGame=438 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Controversy ===
The game's release sparked controversy due to a level featuring the killing of [[Sikhs]] within a depiction of one of their most holy sites, the [[Golden Temple]], a [[gurdwara]] where hundreds of Sikhs [[1984 anti-Sikh riots|were massacred in 1984]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sci_tech/newsid_2440000/2440713.stm |title=Young Sikhs force changes to Hitman 2 |publisher=[[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]] |date=21 November 2002 |access-date=28 January 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208212010/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sci_tech/newsid_2440000/2440713.stm |archive-date=8 February 2008 }}</ref> In response, the level was edited from the Microsoft Windows and GameCube versions of ''Silent Assassin'', removing all Sikh-related references.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/au/racist-a-look-at-games-accused-of-bigotry/2/|title=Racist! A look at games accused of bigotry|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|publisher=[[Future US]]|first=Matt|last=Cundy|date=August 4, 2007|access-date=September 5, 2020|page=2|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425094931/https://www.gamesradar.com/au/racist-a-look-at-games-accused-of-bigotry/2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="edited">{{Cite web |last=gamesindustry.biz |title=Eidos settles Hitman Sikh dispute |url=https://www.theregister.com/2002/11/13/eidos_settles_hitman_sikh_dispute/ |access-date=2021-09-06 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en |archive-date=2021-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906063526/https://www.theregister.com/2002/11/13/eidos_settles_hitman_sikh_dispute/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20080413072247/http://www.hitman2.com/}} via [[Internet Archive]]

{{Hitman series}}
{{IO Interactive}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hitman 2: Silent Assassin}}
[[Category:2002 video games]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of the Mafia]]
[[Category:Eidos Interactive games]]
[[Category:GameCube games]]
[[Category:Hitman (franchise) games|2: Silent Assassin]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 3 games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Stealth video games]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games about cults]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Denmark]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Jesper Kyd]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2002]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2003]]
[[Category:Video games set in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Video games set in India]]
[[Category:Video games set in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Video games set in Saint Petersburg]]
[[Category:Video games set in Sicily]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]

[[he:Hitman (סדרת משחקים)]]