# Hitman: Contracts

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***Hitman: Contracts*** is a 2004 [stealth video game](/source/Stealth_game) developed by [IO Interactive](/source/IO_Interactive) and published by [Eidos Interactive](/source/Eidos_Interactive) for [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows), [PlayStation 2](/source/PlayStation_2) and [Xbox](/source/Xbox_(console)). It is the third installment in the [*Hitman* video game series](/source/Hitman_(franchise)), and serves as both a remake of *[Hitman: Codename 47](/source/Hitman:_Codename_47)* (2000) and sequel to *[Hitman 2: Silent Assassin](/source/Hitman_2:_Silent_Assassin)* (2002), incorporating gameplay elements introduced in the latter into missions from the first game, which have been remastered with enhanced graphics. The game also includes several new missions, which serve as [flashbacks](/source/Flashback_(narrative)) experienced by the [cloned](/source/Human_cloning) assassin [Agent 47](/source/Agent_47) after almost being killed on a failed mission.

*Hitman: Contracts* was met with generally positive reviews; praise was directed at the improved gameplay elements, graphics, soundtrack, darker tone and atmosphere, while criticism was reserved for the lack of significant improvements and the familiarity with the previous two games. As of April 2009, the game has sold around 2 million copies.[1] High-definition ports of *Contracts*, *Silent Assassin*, and the sequel *[Blood Money](/source/Hitman:_Blood_Money)* were released on [PlayStation 3](/source/PlayStation_3) and [Xbox 360](/source/Xbox_360) in January 2013 as the *Hitman HD Trilogy*.[2]

## Gameplay

In *Hitman: Contracts*, players control protagonist [Agent 47](/source/Agent_47) from a third-person perspective, who is sent to various locations across the globe to assassinate specific targets. A wide array of weapons can be used, from kitchen knives, assault rifles and handguns to belt-fed machine guns. While stealth and [subterfuge](/source/Deception) is encouraged, the game allows the player to take a more violent approach and gunfight their way to their mission goals. As players progress through the game, they can collect the various armaments found in the levels, allowing them to be used in future missions. Aside from the more straightforward ways of killing targets such as gunplay and [strangulation](/source/Strangling), several missions allow the player more subtle ways to eliminate hits, such as judicious use of [poison](/source/Poison), or arranging "accidents" like a heat-induced [heart attack](/source/Myocardial_infarction) inside a [sauna](/source/Sauna).

Players are rated on their performance based on several factors; key among which are the number of shots fired, [non-player characters](/source/Non-player_character) (NPCs) killed (and whether they were armed adversaries or innocents), and the number of times the guards are alerted. The lowest rank is "Mass Murderer", which is awarded to players who kill large numbers of NPCs in the pursuit of their target and do not use stealth. The highest rank is "Silent Assassin", which is earned when the player accomplishes their mission without being detected, and generally without killing anyone other than the intended target(s).

*Contracts* continues the trend of [context sensitive](/source/Context-sensitive_user_interface) actions, which means that one button is used in multiple situations for multiple uses. For example, when the player is near a door, the context sensitive button will allow the player to perform door-relevant actions such as keyhole-peeking, [lock picking](/source/Lock_picking), or if allowed, simply opening it. When the player is near an unconscious or dead NPC, the same button will allow the ability to either acquire the person's outfit, or drag the body to an area where it will not be found by various types of guards.

Along with the context sensitive button, the "Suspicion Meter" returns as well; this meter informs players of how close they are to blowing their respective cover. Actions like excess running indoors, brandishing weapons openly, residing in restricted areas, or sneaking can raise suspicion. Proximity will also usually raise the meter. If the "Suspicion Meter" fills, guards will open fire on sight of the player and the current cover becomes useless. If the guards discover a fallen body, or if an unconscious person wakes and alerts them, the "Suspicion Meter" will raise much faster than it would otherwise.

[Disguises](/source/Disguise) can be either found in the environment or taken from the bodies of male NPCs. Depending on the disguise, the player can then access areas restricted to most individuals in a level. These disguises can be seen through by guards, as stated above; e.g. if guards in a level are all wielding shotguns, a player dressed as a guard but not similarly equipped will draw more suspicion. Also, certain behaviors (like picking locks) will cause guards to see through a disguise as well.

## Plot

On 17 March 2004, around two years after the events of *[Silent Assassin](/source/Hitman_2:_Silent_Assassin)*, [Agent 47](/source/Agent_47) is shot and critically wounded while carrying out a mission in [Paris](/source/Paris), France, for his employers, the International Contracts Agency (ICA). Returning to his hotel room, [he reflects on his past](/source/Hitman:_Codename_47), beginning with his escape from [Romanian special forces](/source/Deta%C8%99amentul_Special_de_Protec%C8%9Bie_%C8%99i_Interven%C8%9Bie) after killing his creator, Dr. Otto Ort-Meyer, at his own facility. 47 then recalls various contracts he carried out over the years, including the assassination of two [sexual fetishists](/source/Sexual_fetishism) who had kidnapped and murdered a client's daughter in [Bucharest](/source/Bucharest), Romania; the killing of a [black marketeer](/source/Black_market) in [Kamchatka](/source/Kamchatka_Krai), Russia, selling weapons to [terrorists](/source/Terrorism), and the destruction of their weapon labs aboard a submarine; the murder of a corrupt [nobleman](/source/Nobility) and his son in England; the assassination of a biker crime lord in [Rotterdam](/source/Rotterdam), Netherlands; and the killings of three of his five genetic "fathers", namely [arms trafficker](/source/Arms_trafficking) Arkadij Jegorov, who the bikers were doing business with in Rotterdam, terrorist Frantz Fuchs – incidentally, the brother of the black marketeer in Kamchatka – in a hotel in [Budapest](/source/Budapest), Hungary, and the [Triad](/source/Triad_(organized_crime)) boss Lee Hong in [Hong Kong](/source/Hong_Kong), China.

During this time, an ICA doctor arrives and performs emergency surgery on 47 before he can bleed out, but officers from the [GIGN](/source/GIGN) storm the hotel to capture 47. While the ICA doctor is forced to flee without dressing the wound, 47 regains his strength and prepares to deal with the officers, before recalling the briefing for his current contract. He remembers that he had taken out two of the three targets he had been sent to eliminate, all of whom were involved in a [child prostitution](/source/Child_prostitution) ring in [Eastern Europe](/source/Eastern_Europe). He also recalls that the third target, corrupt GIGN officer Albert Fournier, survived 47's attempt on his life after being tipped off to his presence, and was responsible for his injury.

As the GIGN prepares to storm his room, which is slowly being filled with [tear gas](/source/Tear_gas), 47 escapes from the hotel, intending to complete his contract. Upon reaching the streets, he finds and kills Fournier, before escaping to the [Charles de Gaulle Airport](/source/Charles_de_Gaulle_Airport). Boarding a plane that is leaving the country, 47 is reunited with his handler Diana Burnwood, who confirms his suspicion that someone knew about the contract and warns him that the ICA is being targeted by the same group. 47 agrees to handle the matter and takes possession of a file which names the group as the Franchise, an enemy of the ICA that seeks to undermine them and gain control of governments worldwide.

## Development

The third *Hitman* game was originally meant to be the final game of a trilogy, but due to time pressure from [IO Interactive's](/source/IO_Interactive) then publisher, [Eidos](/source/Eidos_Interactive), [IOI](/source/IO_Interactive) split into two teams to work on *Hitman: Contracts* and *[Hitman: Blood Money](/source/Hitman:_Blood_Money)* at the same time, with *Hitman: Contracts* being a smaller game containing remastered levels from *[Hitman: Codename 47](/source/Hitman:_Codename_47)* (2000) in addition to new levels. *Hitman: Contracts* was developed on a tight schedule to release two years after *[Hitman 2: Silent Assassin](/source/Hitman_2:_Silent_Assassin)*.[3] The game was released in 2004 in North America on 20 April,[4] in the UK on 30 April,[5] in Australia on 13 May,[6] and in Japan on 14 October.[7]

## Soundtrack

*Hitman: Contracts Original Soundtrack* was composed by [Jesper Kyd](/source/Jesper_Kyd) and released in 2004. The score features the same [Latin](/source/Latin_music) [choral](/source/Choir) arrangements as in all the other scores; however, they are heavily [sampled](/source/Sampling_(music)) and mixed into the dark [electronic](/source/Electronic_music) soundscape. As summed up by Kyd, "First of all it is a much darker score. *Hitman 2* was an epic story that kind of spanned all over the world. This one, although there are different locations, it's not one big epic story. It's a lot of darker, psychological small stories mixed together, so the score follows the darker aspect of Hitman and his career."[8] The score was awarded the title of "Best Original Music" at the [2005 BAFTA Games Awards](/source/British_Academy_Games_Awards#2004).[9]

Besides the original Jesper Kyd score, the game features the following songs:

- "[Put Your Head on My Shoulder](/source/Put_Your_Head_on_My_Shoulder_(song))" by [Paul Anka](/source/Paul_Anka) in Level 2 "The Meat King's Party". 2:37
- "A Different Kind of Love" by Dick Walter in Level 4 "Beldingford Manor" 5:18
- "Immortal" by [Clutch](/source/Clutch_(band)) in Level 5 "Rendezvous in Rotterdam".[b]
- "Walking Dead" by [Puressence](/source/Puressence) in Level 6 "Deadly Cargo".
- "Le Souteneur (Monsieur Claude)" by [Faf Larage](/source/Faf_Larage) in Level 12 "Hunter and Hunted".

## Reception

*Hitman: Contracts* received mostly positive reviews. Critics praised the improved gameplay elements, graphics, soundtrack, darker tone and atmosphere, while criticism was directed towards the familiarity and the lack of significant changes and additions from the previous game.[10][11][12]

Although *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)'*s Greg Kasavin liked that some of the missions from *[Hitman: Codename 47](/source/Hitman:_Codename_47)* are featured here with graphical enhancements, he did feel it was a "cheap move." Kasavin also criticised the normal difficulty in the game; he felt it was too easy and that players can take the 'Mass Murderer' route with little to no consequences.[13] Air Hendrix of *[GamePro](/source/GamePro)* said of the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions, "In this captivating outing, 47 revisits the past while modernizing the nagging flaws of his previous games, making for his best trail of assassinations yet."[14][c]

## Notes

1. [Square Enix Europe](/source/Square_Enix_Europe) published the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions.

1. At one point, *Hitman: Contracts* did not appear on [Steam](/source/Steam_(service)) due to licensing issues with this particular song, despite all other Hitman games being released on the platform. They were eventually restored in 2014.

1. *[GamePro](/source/GamePro)* gave the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions each three 4.5/5 scores for graphics, sound, and control, and 5/5 for fun factor.

## References

1. ["Corporate Strategy Meeting"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120307062011/http://www.square-enix.com/eng/pdf/news/20090422_02en.pdf). *[Square Enix](/source/Square_Enix)*. 22 April 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.square-enix.com/eng/pdf/news/20090422_02en.pdf) on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.

1. Sarkar, Samit (28 January 2013). ["Hitman: HD Trilogy trailer revisits the series' hits"](https://www.polygon.com/2013/1/28/3924790/hitman-hd-trilogy-trailer). *[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))*. [Vox Media](/source/Vox_Media). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231129191641/https://www.polygon.com/2013/1/28/3924790/hitman-hd-trilogy-trailer) 29 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

1. Nick930 (10 November 2018). ["History of Hitman (2000 - 2018)"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfaYkyTMOYA&t=606s). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. [Google](/source/Google). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221003135846/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfaYkyTMOYA&t=606s) 3 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

1. Adams, David (20 April 2004). ["Hitman: Contracts Ships"](https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/20/hitman-contracts-ships). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. [Ziff Davis](/source/Ziff_Davis). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140330040539/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/20/hitman-contracts-ships) 30 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

1. Bramwell, Tom (14 April 2004). ["This And That: Wednesday News Roundup"](https://www.eurogamer.net/news140404thisandthat). *[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)*. [Gamer Network](/source/Gamer_Network). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220125151353/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news140404thisandthat) 25 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

1. ["Hitman Contracts - available NOW!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040622122531/http://www.atari.com.au/news/?action=view&id=658). *[Atari](/source/Atari) Australia*. Atari Australia Pty Ltd. 13 May 2004. Archived from [the original](http://www.atari.com.au/news/?action=view&id=658) on 22 June 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2024.

1. IGN staff (21 October 2004). ["Gaming Life in Japan"](https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/21/gaming-life-in-japan-120). *IGN*. Ziff Davis. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240511165129/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/21/gaming-life-in-japan-120) 11 May 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

1. Spence D. (13 February 2004). ["Jesper Kyd Speaks on Hitman Contracts"](https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/14/jesper-kyd-speaks-on-hitman-contracts). *IGN*. Ziff Davis. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240511182851/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/14/jesper-kyd-speaks-on-hitman-contracts) 11 May 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

1. Sung, Mark (2 March 2005). ["'Hitman: Contracts' Soundtrack Wins At 2005 Bafta Games Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120721223125/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/soundtracks/news/article_4839.php/Hitman_Contracts_Soundtrack_Wins_At_2005_Bafta_Games_Awards). *M&C*. Archived from [the original](http://www.monstersandcritics.com/soundtracks/news/article_4839.php/Hitman_Contracts_Soundtrack_Wins_At_2005_Bafta_Games_Awards) on 21 July 2012.

1. ["Hitman: Contracts critic reviews (PC)"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-contracts/critic-reviews/?platform=pc). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Fandom](/source/Fandom_(website)). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230816193547/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/hitman-contracts) 16 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

1. ["Hitman: Contracts critic reviews (PS2)"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-contracts/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2). *Metacritic*. Fandom. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230603192301/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/hitman-contracts) 3 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

1. ["Hitman: Contracts critic reviews (XB)"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-contracts/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox). *Metacritic*. Fandom. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230421131457/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/hitman-contracts) 21 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

1. Kasavin, Greg (20 April 2004). ["Hitman: Contracts Review (PC)"](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hitman-contracts-review/1900-6094118/). *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)*. Fandom. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230607023118/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hitman-contracts-review/1900-6094118/) 7 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

1. Air Hendrix (July 2004). ["Hitman: Contracts (PS2, Xbox)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050207080621/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/35700.shtml). *[GamePro](/source/GamePro)*. No. 190. [IDG](/source/International_Data_Group). Archived from [the original](http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/35700.shtml) on 7 February 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2024.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Hitman: Contracts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitman%3A_Contracts) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitman%3A_Contracts?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.