Hitman: Absolution#External links

File:Hitman Absolution gameplay screenshot.jpg is disguised as a policeman. Disguises allow players to gain access to previously restricted areas.]]

Hitman: Absolution is a stealth game in which the player assumes the role of a hitman named Agent 47. Presented from a third-person perspective, the gameplay centers around completing a number of objectives within a series of levels.{{cite web|last=Meltzer|first=Tom|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/nov/15/hitman-absolution-preview|title=Hitman: Absolution – preview|work=The Guardian|date=15 November 2012|access-date=23 February 2016|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425095401/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/nov/15/hitman-absolution-preview|url-status=live}} Objectives range from reaching the end of a level to eliminating specific individuals. The player chooses how to complete each mission and is able to take multiple paths to reach targets and locations.Martchiafava, Jeff. (19 November 2012). [https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/11/19/a-beginner-39-s-guide-to-hitman-absolution.aspx "A Beginner's Guide To Hitman: Absolution"] . Game Informer. Retrieved 31 May 2015. Players may use pistols, bottles or bricks, assault or sniper rifles, shotguns, fiber-wire, or steel pipes against enemies if opting for action-oriented approaches, or avoid adversaries altogether by using disguises, blending into the environment, and only attacking specific targets using a stealth-oriented approach.{{cite news |author=Steve Boxer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/jun/10/e3-2011-hitman-absolution-preview |title=E3 2011: Hitman Absolution – preview |department=Technology |work=The Guardian |date=10 June 2011 |access-date=13 June 2011 |location=London |archive-date=10 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910212114/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/jun/10/e3-2011-hitman-absolution-preview |url-status=live }}Torres, Samir. (26 January 2013). [https://venturebeat.com/2013/01/26/hitman-absolution-how-to-unlock-all-53-disguises/ "Hitman: Absolution: How to unlock all 53 disguises"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727180947/https://venturebeat.com/2013/01/26/hitman-absolution-how-to-unlock-all-53-disguises/ |date=27 July 2017 }}. Venture Beat. Retrieved 31 May 2015.[http://m.au.ign.com/wikis/hitman-absolution/Weapons "Weapon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002110229/https://www.ign.com/wikis/hitman-absolution/Weapons |date=2 October 2024 }}. IGN. Retrieved 31 May 2015. Agent 47 also has an 'Instinct' ability that lets the player monitor enemies more easily. There are environmental ways to kill or distract individuals; players can use poison to spike coffee, pull a switch to make a disco ball fall and break, cause a massive explosion at a gas station, pull levers to make scaffolding to fall down, instigate small or large fires, or even set off fireworks.Nunneley, Stephany. (3 October 2012). [http://www.vg247.com/2012/10/03/hitman-absolution-a-guys-head-catches-fire-in-new-trailer/ "Hitman: Absolution – man’s head catches fire in new trailer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906172439/http://www.vg247.com/2012/10/03/hitman-absolution-a-guys-head-catches-fire-in-new-trailer/ |date=6 September 2015 }}. VG247. Retrieved 31 May 2015. Players must complete a number of chapters in order to progress through the story. The player journeys to a wide variety of locations, including a mansion, library, strip club, gun store, wrestling arena, courthouse, and hotel before the finishing the game.

Absolution introduces an online option to the Hitman series, 'Contracts', where players can create their own missions for other players to participate in.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-04-hitman-absolution-returns-interview?page=2 |title=Hitman: Absolution Returns |work=Eurogamer |date=6 October 2011 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=6 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006145725/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-04-hitman-absolution-returns-interview?page=2 |url-status=live }} Players choose one of the areas from the game's story missions and decide which non-player characters (NPCs) are required to be eliminated, what weapon must be used to eliminate each target, what disguise is required, whether the body must be hidden or not and if the player is allowed to be spotted by the AI.Clay, Sam. (19 November 2012). [http://www.vg247.com/2012/11/19/hitman-absolution-contracts-mode-gameplay-the-gun-shop/ "Hitman Absolution contracts mode gameplay: the gun shop"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121135059/http://www.vg247.com/2012/11/19/hitman-absolution-contracts-mode-gameplay-the-gun-shop/ |date=21 January 2016 }}. VG247. Retrieved 30 May 2015. The online servers for "Contracts" were shut down in May 2018 due to IO Interactive encountering difficulties in complying with GDPR legislation.{{cite web |url=https://www.ioi.dk/hitman-absolution-service-message/ |title=Hitman Absolution Service Message |date=2018-05-28 |access-date=2018-05-28 |archive-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531082008/https://www.ioi.dk/hitman-absolution-service-message/ |url-status=dead }}

Genetically-engineered assassin Agent 47 (David Bateson) receives a contract from his employers, the International Contract Agency (ICA), to kill his former handler Diana Burnwood (Marsha Thomason), who, for unknown reasons, betrayed the ICA, sabotaging their funding and publicizing their database. 47 confronts Diana at her Chicago estate and reluctantly shoots her. Before her apparent death, Diana reveals to 47 that she betrayed the ICA only in order to prevent a genetically-engineered teenage girl named Victoria (Isabelle Fuhrman) from becoming an assassin like 47. She requests that 47 keep Victoria safe and prevent her from being used for what she considers nefarious purposes. 47, in an attempt to grant Diana her dying wish, agrees to protect the girl. However, his new handler, Benjamin Travis (Powers Boothe), tasked with bringing Victoria back to the ICA at any cost, views 47’s refusal to turn the girl over as a betrayal to the agency and brands him as a traitor.

After dropping Victoria off at the Redwood Orphanage, 47 meets the disgraced ICA informant Birdie (Steven Bauer), who asks him to assassinate a local crime boss known of the "King of Chinatown" (James Sie) in exchange for information. Agent 47’s famous silverballer pistols are also part of the exchange. After the hit, and in payment for the guns, Birdie tells 47 about a man named Blake Dexter (Keith Carradine), who is the head of what purports to be a home defense system against international terrorism. Dexter, Birdie relates, has taken a special interest in Victoria. 47 eventually sneaks into the air ducts near Dexter's room at the Terminus Hotel where he learns that Dexter and his girlfriend/secretary are planning to kidnap Victoria and sell her to the highest bidder. Before 47 can confront Dexter, he is knocked out by Dexter’s genetically engineered bodyguard, Sanchez, who is immune to 47’s piano wire. Framed for the murder of a maid by Dexter, who then sets fire to the hotel suite before fleeing, a groggy agent 47 runs from the flaming hotel, pursued by police. 47, though hard pressed, manages to slip past the authorities staking out a subway station, after which he kills one of Dexter's informants, a mobster named Dom Osmond (Jon Curry), at his strip club. He then learns that Dexter has hired a group of insidious mercenaries led by one Edward Wade (Larry Cedar) to ensure the capture of Victoria. Though 47 eventually intercepts and executes all of Wade's associates, Bill Dole (Nicolas Roye), Larry Clay (also James Sie), and Frank Owens (Jeffrey Johnson), Birdie is caught, and threatened by the monstrous Sanchez, betrays Victoria's location in exchange for his life. 47 successfully eliminates Wade’s assault team, and finally Wade himself, at the orphanage, but Dexter's son Lenny (Shane Stevens), managing to be in the right place at the right time, grabs Victoria and escapes.

After obtaining Lenny's location from a bartender, 47 recovers his 'Silverballer' pistols from a gun store through Birdie's help and moves on to the town of Hope, South Dakota. Unbeknownst to 47, however, Birdie also makes overtures to the ICA and Detective Cosmo Faulkner of the Chicago PD, culminating in a number of attempts to kill 47 by the Agency throughout the game. Despite being firmly under the control of Dexter's PMC, 47 manages to eliminate Lenny's gang, the Hope Cougars, preventing them from selling Victoria to a rival weapons corporation. 47 kidnaps Lenny, drives him to the desert, and interrogates him for Victoria's location, before either killing or abandoning him. 47 subsequently infiltrates Dexter Industries' laboratory, kills lead members of the science division tasked with examining Victoria, and destroys their research. At an unlicensed cage fighting match being held on site, 47 kills Dexter's genetically enhanced bodyguard, Sanchez (Isaac C. Singleton Jr.). While recuperating, 47 is attacked by "The Saints" in a Hawaiian themed motel named Waikiki inn, Travis's personal hit squad, but manages to eliminate them.

47 tracks Victoria to a detention facility within the Hope Courthouse jail operated by corrupt sheriff and Dexter ally Clive Skurky (Jon Gries). However, 47 is captured and tortured. Dexter is summoned to a meeting with Travis, who seeks to buy Victoria back for $10 million. As 47 escapes from jail and goes after sheriff Skurky, the ICA invade the town. 47 evades the Agency and eventually corners Skurky in a Church, who reveals that Dexter and Travis will be meeting to sell Victoria at Blackwater Park, Chicago. 47 kills Skurky, infiltrates Blackwater, makes his way into Dexter's residence, and kills Dexter’s love interest and secretary, Layla Stockton (Traci Lords) before finally hunting Dexter himself to the top of the park. As Dexter's men rig the building to explode, 47 successfully prevents Dexter's escape via helicopter, mortally wounding him. After lamenting the loss of his son and money, Dexter is left to die alone.

Several months later, Travis and the ICA exhume Diana's grave at the Burnwood crypt in Cornwall, suspecting she has faked her death. Working with Diana, 47 kills Travis' assistant Jade and his elite Praetorian Guards named after the real life Praetorian Guards of Rome before mortally wounding Travis himself. Travis rants at him for wasting Victoria's potential for the ICA, and asks whether Diana is really dead, to which 47 responds "You will never know" before finishing him off. Sometime later, 47 observes Diana and Victoria from a rooftop across Lake Michigan via sniper rifle, confirming that Diana faked her death with 47's help and is now looking after Victoria. The game ends with a message from Diana to Agent 47 welcoming him back to the ICA and thanking him, as his actions have helped purge the ICA of internal corruption. In the final scene, Detective Cosmo Faulkner (Jonathan Adams), who has been tracking 47 since the Terminus Hotel fire, is having trouble discovering 47's identity until Birdie appears and offers to help him, for a price.

Though plans to continue the Hitman franchise were first announced in 2007,{{cite web |url=http://miranda.hemscott.com/ir/seg/pdf/AnnualReport07.pdf |title=SCiAR07 |access-date=20 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105214640/http://miranda.hemscott.com/ir/seg/pdf/AnnualReport07.pdf |archive-date=5 November 2015 |url-status=dead }} it was not until May 2009 that Eidos confirmed the game was in development.{{cite web |url=http://www.incgamers.com/News/16348/Hitman5KaneLynchSequelAndMovieInTheWorks |title=Hitman 5, Kane & Lynch Sequel And Movie in the Works |work=IncGamers |access-date=20 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202225812/http://www.incgamers.com/News/16348/Hitman5KaneLynchSequelAndMovieInTheWorks |archive-date=2 February 2012 |url-status=dead }} Certain plot details for the game were rumored in 2009, stating that the game's story would lead Agent 47 to a low point from which he would have to rebuild himself.{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=218427 |title=News: Hitman 5 out 2010 – plot details |work=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |date=29 June 2009 |access-date=20 May 2011 |archive-date=3 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303062029/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=218427 |url-status=live }} On 20 April 2011, Square Enix filed the trademark for the name Hitman: Absolution in Europe, leading sites to speculate that it would be the name of the fifth Hitman game.{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/04/22/hitman-absolution-sounds-like-the-name-for-hitman-5/ |title=Hitman: Absolution Sounds Like The Name For "Hitman 5" |author=Spencer |date=22 April 2011 |work=Silicon-era |access-date=20 May 2011 |archive-date=17 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017165402/http://www.siliconera.com/2011/04/22/hitman-absolution-sounds-like-the-name-for-hitman-5/ |url-status=live }} On 6 May 2011, a teaser trailer was released, confirming the title Hitman: Absolution. The trailer briefly showed Agent 47 attaching a suppressor and a rattlesnake coiled around his signature Silverballer pistol.{{cite web |author=Mike Fahey |url=http://kotaku.com/5800429/agent-47-steps-out-of-the-shadows-in-hitman-absolution |title=Agent 47 Steps Out of the Shadows in Hitman: Absolution |work=Kotaku.com |date=10 May 2011 |access-date=20 May 2011 |archive-date=14 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714165453/http://kotaku.com/5800429/agent-47-steps-out-of-the-shadows-in-hitman-absolution |url-status=live }} It has been reported the game will be a "familiar and yet significantly different experience from other Hitman games."{{cite web |author=Arthur Gies |url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/116/1167104p1.html |title=Hitman Absolution Announced — PlayStation 3 News at IGN |work=Ps3.ign.com |date=10 May 2011 |access-date=20 May 2011 |archive-date=14 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514182331/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/116/1167104p1.html |url-status=live }} On 9 October 2011, a full gameplay trailer entitled "Run for Your Life" was released.{{cite web | url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/hitman-5/1199397p1.html | title=Hitman: Absolution Gameplay Trailer | date=9 October 2011 | access-date=15 December 2011 | archive-date=9 December 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209165649/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/hitman-5/1199397p1.html | url-status=live }}

Originally William Mapother had been cast as Agent 47, replacing original voice actor David Bateson. Bateson had not been notified of his replacement and only found out when the first trailer was released. However, following fan backlash, Bateson was rehired just six months before the game's release. Mapother's motion capture performance for Agent 47 is still included in the game.{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/hitman-absolution-agent-47-voice-actor-replaced/ | title=Hitman's Agent 47 Voice Actor Was Nearly Replaced In Hitman Absolution | website=Screen Rant | date=7 February 2021 | access-date=23 February 2023 | archive-date=23 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223201904/https://screenrant.com/hitman-absolution-agent-47-voice-actor-replaced/ | url-status=live }}

In 2023, chief creative officer of IO, Christian Elverdam, said that Absolution "is fundamentally a really good stealth-action game" and that many of the lessons learned in creating it can be seen in the World of Assassination trilogy.{{cite web |last1=Purchese |first1=Robert |title=How IO turned Hitman around, from Absolution to World of Assassination |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/how-io-turned-hitman-around-from-absolution-to-world-of-assassination |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=15 March 2023 |date=13 March 2023 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315005433/https://www.eurogamer.net/how-io-turned-hitman-around-from-absolution-to-world-of-assassination |url-status=live }}

The Professional Edition of Hitman: Absolution features Professional Clamshell packaging for the game, a Hitman art book, making of DVD "Burning Hope" and the "Agency Gun Pack" DLC.{{cite web |url=http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/11/square-unveils-hitman-absolution-professional-edition/ |title=Square unveils Hitman Absolution Professional Edition |work=VG247 |date=11 April 2012 |access-date=21 July 2012 |archive-date=6 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806082320/http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/11/square-unveils-hitman-absolution-professional-edition/ |url-status=live }}

{{Redirect-distinguish|Hitman: Sniper Challenge|Hitman: Sniper Assassin|Hitman: Sniper}}

Hitman: Sniper Challenge, a single sniping mission, was developed by IO Interactive, originally as a pre-order bonus, available to people who pre-order the game. The code would be supplied by retailers upon pre-order of the game, and could be collected from retailers before release as a download code before the game's release. At the time of pre-order, Sniper Challenge was redeemable via the PSN Store, Xbox Live Marketplace and PC. While the console version launched worldwide on 15 May 2012, the PC version wasn't released until 1 August 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.vg247.com/2012/05/10/hitman-sniper-challenge-officially-a-thing-launching-next-week/ |title=Hitman: Sniper Challenge official, launching next week |work=VG247 |date=11 May 2012 |access-date=21 July 2012 |archive-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031203620/https://www.vg247.com/2012/05/10/hitman-sniper-challenge-officially-a-thing-launching-next-week/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Yin |first=Wesley |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-10-io-confirms-hitman-sniper-challenge-with-trailer-screenshots |title=IO confirms Hitman: Sniper Challenge with trailer, screenshots |work=Eurogamer.net |date=10 May 2012 |access-date=21 July 2012 |archive-date=16 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716061134/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-10-io-confirms-hitman-sniper-challenge-with-trailer-screenshots |url-status=live }}

Square Enix announced special Hitman: Absolution pre-order bonuses for selected retailers.{{cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2012/05/hitman-absolution-pre-order-bonuses-announced |title=Hitman: Absolution pre-order bonuses announced |work=Gematsu |first=Sal |last=Romano |date=9 May 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=29 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129225933/http://gematsu.com/2012/05/hitman-absolution-pre-order-bonuses-announced |url-status=live }} For Steam purchased games, these downloadable content are available as well.{{Cite web |url=http://store.steampowered.com/dlc/203140/ |title=Steampowered.com |access-date=12 January 2014 |archive-date=10 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110233717/http://store.steampowered.com/dlc/203140/ |url-status=live }} These items only work for Contract mode and not the single-player story mode.

• High Tech Suit and Bartoli Custom Pistol – The advanced High Tech suit provides Agent 47 with 50% increased armor paired with the Bartoli Custom, an engineered precision weapon, complete with sight and silencer.
• Public Enemy Suit and the Bronson M1928 submachine gun – The Original Assassin can dress in a stylish Public Enemy gangster suit armed with the Bronson M1928, an imaginary submachine gun with high fire rate and deadly stopping power.
• Agency Kazo TRG sniper rifle – This weapon is fully upgradeable with both scope and silencer.
• High Roller Suit and the Krugermeier 2-2 Pistol – The High Roller suit dresses Agent 47 in a fancy tuxedo discreetly outfitted with the Krugermeier, an accurate, reliable stealth weapon with a built-in silencer.
• Hitman: Absolution: Public Enemy Disguise – This disguise gives Agent 47 a 1930s gangster look.
• Hitman: Absolution: Deus Ex (Adam Jensen) Disguise – This "suit" makes Agent 47 look like Adam Jensen from Deus Ex: Human Revolution, complete with built-in sunglasses. This DLC also unlocks the Steiner-Bisley Zenith pistol from the same game.

{{Video game reviews

| MC = (PC) 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-absolution/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Hitman: Absolution for PC Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-date=5 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505141442/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/hitman-absolution |url-status=live }}
(PS3) 83/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-absolution/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Hitman: Absolution for PlayStation 3 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-date=26 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426220402/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/hitman-absolution |url-status=live }}
(X360) 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-absolution/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Hitman: Absolution for Xbox 360 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=13 April 2013 |archive-date=12 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512073951/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/hitman-absolution |url-status=live }}

| 1UP = A−{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/hitman-absolution-review-undying-love |title=Hitman Absolution Review: Undying Love |author=Jose Otero |date=December 3, 2012 |publisher=1Up.com |access-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117204930/http://www.1up.com/reviews/hitman-absolution-review-undying-love |archive-date=January 17, 2013}}

| Destruct = 8.5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-hitman-absolution-238879.phtml |title=Review: Hitman Absolution |work=Destructoid |access-date=28 November 2012 |archive-date=27 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127184802/http://www.destructoid.com/review-hitman-absolution-238879.phtml |url-status=live }}

| Edge = 7/10{{cite magazine |url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/hitman-absolution-review/2 |title=Hitman: Absolution review — Page 2 of 2 |magazine=Edge |date=18 November 2012 |author=Edge staff |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=20 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120225000/http://www.edge-online.com/review/hitman-absolution-review/2/ |url-status=live }}

| EuroG = 7/10{{cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-18-hitman-absolution-review |title=Hitman: Absolution review • Reviews • Xbox 360 |work=Eurogamer |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=22 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122015650/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-18-hitman-absolution-review |url-status=live }}

| GI = 8.75/10{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/hitman_absolution/b/xbox360/archive/2012/11/18/hitman-absolution-review-agent-47-returns-at-the-peak-of-his-game.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120090057/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/hitman_absolution/b/xbox360/archive/2012/11/18/hitman-absolution-review-agent-47-returns-at-the-peak-of-his-game.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=20 November 2012 |title=Agent 47 Returns at the Peak of His Game — Hitman: Absolution — Xbox 360 |magazine=Game Informer |first=Jeff |last=Marchiafava |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012}}

| GRadar = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/hitman-absolution-review |title=Hitman: Absolution Review |work=GamesRadar |date=18 November 2012 |first=Hollander |last=Cooper |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=1 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201092403/http://www.gamesradar.com/hitman-absolution-review/ |url-status=live }}

| GSpot = 7.5/10{{cite web |first=Kevin |last=VanOrd |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/hitman-absolution/reviews/hitman-absolution-review-6400240/ |title=Hitman: Absolution Review |work=GameSpot |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121222930/http://uk.gamespot.com/hitman-absolution/reviews/hitman-absolution-review-6400240/ |archive-date=21 November 2012 }}

| GT = 6.9/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/6yb19l/hitman--absolution-review |title=Hitman: Absolution Review |work=GameTrailers |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=20 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120232234/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/6yb19l/hitman--absolution-review |url-status=live }}

| GB = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/hitman-absolution/61-26417/reviews/ |title=Hitman: Absolution Review |work=Giant Bomb |date=19 November 2012 |access-date=28 November 2012 |archive-date=27 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127165758/http://www.giantbomb.com/hitman-absolution/61-26417/reviews/ |url-status=live }}

| IGN = 9/10{{cite web |first=Luke |last=Reilly |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/11/18/hitman-absolution-review |title=Hitman: Absolution Review |work=IGN |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002110242/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/18/hitman-absolution-review |url-status=live }}

| Joystiq = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |author=Xav de Matos |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/18/hitman-absolution-review/ |title=Hitman Absolution review: Murder by Numbers |work=Joystiq |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=28 November 2012 |archive-date=8 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208231241/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/18/hitman-absolution-review/ |url-status=live }}

| PCGUS = 66/100{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/review/hitman-absolution-review/3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122012543/http://www.pcgamer.com/review/hitman-absolution-review/3/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 November 2012 |title=Hitman: Absolution review — Page 3 of 3 |work=PC Gamer |first=Tom |last=Francis |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 }}

| VG = 5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/hitman_absolution_review.html |title=Hitman Absolution Review |first=Chris |last=Schilling |website=VideoGamer.com |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031205122/http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/hitman_absolution_review.html |url-status=live }}

| rev4 = International Business Times

| rev4Score = 5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/406101/20121118/hitman-absolution-review.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420171850/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/406101/20121118/hitman-absolution-review.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 April 2013 |title=Hitman: Absolution — Review |work=International Business Times |first=Edward |last=Smith |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 }}

| rev6 = The Daily Telegraph

| rev6Score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/video-game-reviews/9692367/Hitman-Absolution-review.html |title=Hitman: Absolution review |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 |first=Tom |last=Hoggins |archive-date=22 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122140551/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/video-game-reviews/9692367/Hitman-Absolution-review.html |url-status=live }}

| rev7 = VentureBeat

| rev7Score = 7.5/10{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/11/18/hitman-absolution-aims-high-but-misses-the-mark-review/view-all |title=Hitman: Absolution aims high but misses the mark (review) |publisher=VentureBeat |work=GamesBeat |first=Rus |last=McLaughlin |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=21 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121162823/http://venturebeat.com/2012/11/18/hitman-absolution-aims-high-but-misses-the-mark-review/view-all/ |url-status=live }}

}}

Hitman: Absolution received "generally positive" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Positive reviews came from GamesRadar+, calling it "one of the strongest entries in the series to date", and Game Informer, who wrote that "devising a strategy, using the environment and disguises to your advantage, and leaving before anyone knows you're there are the hallmarks of a perfect hit, and Absolution proves Agent 47 is still gaming's premier hitman."

Edge gave it 7/10, saying "the game has taken a unique formula and diluted it". VentureBeat gave it 7.5/10 saying "Absolution aims high but misses the mark." Eurogamer gave it 7/10 saying "Agent 47 doesn't begin Hitman: Absolution with amnesia, but the six years that have passed since we last took control of him in Blood Money do seem to have dulled his creators' recollections of what made him so popular in the first place." GameSpot gave it 7.5/10 saying "Hitman: Absolution{{'}}s vivid world and enjoyable stealth-action gameplay overshadow its few notable inconsistencies." IGN gave it 9/10 saying "It's nice to have a game that doesn't just encourage improvisation; it requires it." Kotaku gave Absolution a positive review.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5961499/hitman-absolution-the-kotaku-review |title=Hitman: Absolution: The Kotaku Review |work=Kotaku.com |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=28 November 2012 |archive-date=21 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121140453/http://kotaku.com/5961499/hitman-absolution-the-kotaku-review |url-status=live }} Giant Bomb gave it 4/5, as did Joystiq. Destructoid gave it 8.5/10. 1Up.com gave the game an A− saying "Hitman Absolution didn't win me over with its story, but its gameplay maintains a standard of excellence and introduces a level of choice that deserves your attention."

The Daily Telegraph gave the game a 2/5 saying "Despite the fact that Absolution is a hugely disappointing entry into the canon, Hitman is still a fabulous series." International Business Times gave the game a 5/10 saying "An unremarkable, derivative clone of a game that's barely a shadow of what Hitman used to be." VideoGamer.com gave it 5/10 saying "The problem with Absolution is that its new custodians from the Kane and Lynch team seem to have fundamentally misunderstood what made Hitman great." PC Gamer gave it 66% saying "A passable stealth game, but one that betrays almost everything that, until now, has made Hitman great." GameTrailers gave it 6.9/10 saying "It's clear that a good deal of effort was put into crafting Hitman: Absolution{{'}}s world. This makes its flaws all the more unfortunate." The New Statesman gave no rating but said "If developers want to win back fans when they revisit established franchises maybe they should look to what made those games popular in the first place and by doing so maybe they'd avoid stepping on a rake or two."{{cite news|last=Hartup|first=Phil|title=Newsstateman Review|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2012/11/hitman-absolution-shows-you-cant-just-be-good-new-game-revered-old-name|access-date=30 November 2012|archive-date=9 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209030520/http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2012/11/hitman-absolution-shows-you-cant-just-be-good-new-game-revered-old-name|url-status=live}} The Irish Times gave no score but said "The move away from the completely open world may leave some hardcore fans of Hitman disappointed."{{cite news|date=21 January 2021|title=Hitman: Suite|url=https://www.unfinishedman.com/the-history-of-the-hitman-suit-wiki-where-to-buy-and-more/|url-status=dead|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=15 December 2021|archive-date=10 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110153349/https://www.unfinishedman.com/the-history-of-the-hitman-suit-wiki-where-to-buy-and-more/}} The Daily Record gave the game 3/5 saying "While it's more accessible than previous Hitman games, Absolution loses a lot of the freedom that fans of the franchise love, and perhaps doesn't necessarily fit the Hitman name any longer."{{cite web |author=Dailyrecord.co.uk |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/video-games/video-games-reviews/hitman-absolution-1450639 |title=Review: Hitman Absolution |work=Daily Record |date=23 November 2012 |access-date=24 January 2013 |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002110234/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/video-games/video-games-reviews/review-hitman-absolution-1450639 |url-status=live }} The Escapist gave no score but said "Hitman: Absolution is not the best nor the worst Hitman".{{cite web |author=Hitman: Absolution |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/6586-Hitman-Absolution |title=Video Galleries : Zero Punctuation : Hitman: Absolution |work=The Escapist |access-date=24 January 2013 |archive-date=19 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119102559/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/6586-Hitman-Absolution |url-status=dead }} The Guardian gave it 3/5 saying "The game may look better and play better than any Hitman game before it, but one can only marvel at how IO managed to lose sight of their IP's most appealing aspects so often."{{cite web |author=Nick Cowen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2012/dec/07/hitman-absolution-review-video-game |title=Hitman: Absolution – review |department=Technology |work=The Guardian |date=7 December 2012 |access-date=24 January 2013 |archive-date=21 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121135059/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2012/dec/07/hitman-absolution-review-video-game |url-status=live }}

On 26 March 2013, Square Enix announced that the game had sold about 3.6 million copies at retail, but has failed to reach predicted sales targets.{{cite web|url=http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/news/pdf/130326slides.pdf|title=Briefing Session of Revisions to Consolidated Results Forecasts|date=26 March 2013|work=Square Enix|access-date=26 March 2013|archive-date=18 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418023812/http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/news/pdf/130326slides.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/library/pdf/explanatory_20130326en.pdf|title=Outline of Briefing Session for Revisions to Consolidated Results Forecasts held on March　26, 2013|date=26 March 2013|work=Square Enix|access-date=2 June 2024|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122032419/https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/library/pdf/explanatory_20130326en.pdf|url-status=live}}

Shortly after launch, scores of complaints came in about the game crashing, freezing and corrupting file saves on the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, rendering many of the games unplayable.{{cite web | url=http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/hitman_absolution/news/hitman_absolution_bug_wipes_game_saves.html | title=Hitman: Absolution bug wipes game saves | website=VideoGamer.com | date=22 November 2012 | access-date=22 November 2012 | author=Scammell, David | archive-date=15 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615123458/http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/hitman_absolution/news/hitman_absolution_bug_wipes_game_saves.html | url-status=live }} On 26 November 2012, IO Interactive stated that they were working around the clock to try and fix these technical errors, but also stated that they did not know what exactly was causing the errors, so a patch may take some time.{{cite web | url=http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/hitman_absolution/news/io_working_around_the_clock_to_fix_hitman_absolutions_corrupt_save_glitch.html | title=IO working 'around the clock' to fix Hitman: Absolution's corrupt save glitch | website=VideoGamer.com | date=26 November 2012 | access-date=26 November 2012 | author=Scammell, David | archive-date=22 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022030616/http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/hitman_absolution/news/io_working_around_the_clock_to_fix_hitman_absolutions_corrupt_save_glitch.html | url-status=live }}

The patch for the PS3 version was released on 11 December 2012,{{Cite tweet |author=Hitman |author-link=Hitman (franchise) |user=Hitman |number=278480218203774976 |date=2012-12-11 |title=Hitman Absolution PS3 European Patch now available. US patch news incoming. Xbox360 patch is currently in submission.|access-date=2022-07-19 |link=https://twitter.com/Hitman/status/278480218203774976}} while the Xbox 360 patch was released on 20 December 2012.{{Cite tweet |author=Hitman |author-link=Hitman (franchise) |user=Hitman |number=281733822326923264 |date=2012-12-20 |title=Just to confirm - the Xbox360 Hitman Absolution Title Update is now live everywhere. |access-date=2022-07-19 |link=https://twitter.com/Hitman/status/281733822326923264 }}

On 29 May 2012, a cinematic teaser trailer, produced by Square Enix's CGI studio Visual Works, titled "Attack of the Saints", was released.{{cite news|title=Hitman: Absolution E3 trailer goes online|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/900665-hitman-absolution-e3-trailer-goes-online|department=GameCentral|work=Metro|access-date=1 June 2012|date=30 May 2012|archive-date=2 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602054405/http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/900665-hitman-absolution-e3-trailer-goes-online|url-status=live}} The trailer's depiction of "gun-toting, PVC and latex-clad nuns being killed in a hail of bullets" sparked controversy over the allegedly sexist portrayal of women.{{cite news|last=Silver|first=Dan|title=Why the Hitman video game trailer is a shameless piece of sexist tat designed to get the internet worked into a lather|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/hitman-why-the-video-game-trailer-is-a-shameless-855466|access-date=6 June 2012|newspaper=Daily Mirror|date=31 May 2012|archive-date=5 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605120519/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/hitman-why-the-video-game-trailer-is-a-shameless-855466|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/30/opinion-what-the-hell-is-with-that-hitman-trailer | title=Opinion: What The Hell Is With That Hitman Trailer? | work=IGN | date=30 May 2012 | access-date=6 June 2012 | author=Mac Donald, Keza | archive-date=4 June 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604212319/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/30/opinion-what-the-hell-is-with-that-hitman-trailer | url-status=live }} IO Interactive's Tore Blystad, the game's director, later apologized, stating they're "sorry that we offended people" and that it "was truly not the intention of the trailer."{{cite web|last=Seitz|first=Dan|title=Hitman: Absolution's IO Apologizes for Nun-Shooting Trailer|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/2012/06/07/hitman-absolutions-io-apologizes-for-nun-shooting-trailer/|work=GameTrailers|access-date=8 June 2012|date=7 June 2012|archive-date=8 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608181638/http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/2012/06/07/hitman-absolutions-io-apologizes-for-nun-shooting-trailer/|url-status=live}}

On 4 December 2012, IO Interactive faced heavy criticism for releasing a Hitman: Absolution Facebook app that allowed users to identify and threaten Facebook friends for assassination. Methods of identifying female friends included "her hairy legs", "her muffin top" and "her small tits". Methods of identifying male friends included "his ginger hair", "his shit hair" and "his tiny penis". Users could choose a reason to kill their friend, such as the fact that they "smell bad" or were cheating on their partner. Friends received a personalised video on their Facebook wall identifying them as a target. Signing up to watch the video presented recipients with a mixture of their own photos and Facebook details merged into a video of Hitman character Agent 47 shooting them. IO Interactive admitted the promotional app was in bad taste and removed it the same day.{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Tom|title=Devs slam Hitman: Absolution promotion that invited you to identify female Facebook friends by their "small tits" and then kill them|work=Eurogamer|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-12-04-gamers-devs-slam-hitman-absolution-promotion-that-invites-you-to-identify-female-facebook-friends-by-their-small-tits-and-then-kill-them|access-date=15 April 2013|archive-date=4 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404083934/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-12-04-gamers-devs-slam-hitman-absolution-promotion-that-invites-you-to-identify-female-facebook-friends-by-their-small-tits-and-then-kill-them|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Joscelyne|first=Svend|title='Bullying' Hitman: Absolution Facebook App Pulled|url=http://spong.com/article/28560/Bullying-Hitman-Absolution-Facebook-App-Pulled|access-date=15 April 2013|archive-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121135058/http://spong.com/article/28560/Bullying-Hitman-Absolution-Facebook-App-Pulled|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Honorof|first=Marshall|title=Threaten your friends with Hitman Absolution app|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/120921-Update-Threaten-Your-Friends-With-Hitman-Facebook-App|access-date=15 April 2013|archive-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121135059/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/120921-Update-Threaten-Your-Friends-With-Hitman-Facebook-App|url-status=dead}}

Hitman: Absolution was nominated for "Best Action Game" at the 9th British Academy Games Awards.{{Cite web |title=Games in 2013 {{!}} BAFTA Awards |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2013/games |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=awards.bafta.org |archive-date=18 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418120331/http://awards.bafta.org/award/2013/games |url-status=live }} The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Hitman: Absolution for "Action Game of the Year", "Outstanding Achievement in Animation", and "Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering" during the 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.{{Cite web |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Hitman: Absolution |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2013&idGame=1263 |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=www.interactive.org |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313135318/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2013&idGame=1263 |url-status=live }}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://absolution.hitman.com/}}

{{Hitman series}}

{{IO Interactive}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2012 video games

Category:Feral Interactive games

Absolution

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

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