New trailer of Hitman: Absolution showcases tools of the trade

IO Interactive, developer of one of the most anticipated games of the year – Hitman: Absolution – have released a new trailer that showcases the tools that will be at the players’ disposal when they step into the shoes of the bald assassin in a suit – Agent 47.

The trailer, titled Hitman: Absolution – Tools of the Trade, shows all the weapons that are available to Agent 47. These weapons range from 47’s iconic fibre wire – which he uses to take enemies out quietly – to machineguns and his signature steel plated Baller pistols. The game seems to provide for every playstyle, ranging from a master assassin to a crazed maniac with an axe. The trailer also shows that random objects can be improvised into makeshift weapons, giving players the ability to bludgeon enemies to death with a fuel canister.

Recently, IO Interactive was considering making the pre-order bonus for Hitman: Absolution – titled Hitman: Sniper Challenge – into a stand-alone game. “People are playing it a lot,” said game director Tore Blystad. “I think the No.1 player in the world has clocked in hundreds of hours so far which is completely crazy, right? We’re very happy because that’s the essence of Hitman; it is made to be replayed." When asked about the possibility of a stand-alone release for Hitman: Sniper Challenge, Blystad said, “Who knows? It turned out really well. If we can find a way to make it work then I guess we will.”

Hitman: Absolution gets a new trailer showing off weapons

Here's a quick description of Sniper Challenge: From a balcony overlooking a roof-top party, you are tasked with taking out Richard Strong, Jr., CEO of Stallion Armaments, along with his entire staff of bodyguards. Skilled players will capitalise on score multipliers, discover secret extras, unlock equipment upgrades, and marvel at the many creative ways one can discretely dispose off a body while they work to fulfil their contract in the most efficient way possible.

The Hitman series has been one of the more popular stealth action games, where the player takes on the role of Agent 47, a big bald guy in a suit with a barcode tattooed on the back of his neck. Agent 47 is a Hitman for a mysterious organisation known only as The Agency. The games have the player travel around the world, assassinating high profile targets. How one manages to go about doing this is completely up to them. Players have the option to either run and gun through the level as if it’s an action game, or quietly pick off only necessary targets and steal their clothes, hence being able to go deeper into the level without being detected, unless either Agent 47 acts too strangely, or someone finds the corpse of the person whose uniform Agent 47 is wearing.

The games always rewarded stealthy gameplay and minimal violence with a higher rating and more money to upgrade weapons or equipment. Later games like Blood Money added an extra consequence to going on a wanton killing spree; there would be more security guards on the next level, making it harder, or if someone recognised Agent 47, the next level would be even more difficult.

Hitman: Absolution is the latest entry in the Hitman series of games and will be released in India on November 20 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.