As far as we at AMN can tell, the Hitman series has always been unique. It’s a stealth game that doesn't rely on sneaking around (walking slowly does fine), it’s a shooter where you can't take very much damage, and it stars a character that has no emotional conflicts, no internal struggles, and who was only angry once in his life. Yet despite its lack of personal drama, there is something about the Hitman games that keeps gamers coming back for more. If Solid Snake has an opposite, it isn't Liquid Snake, the man they call 47. In the course of the series, there has really been an evolution of his character. Oh sure 47 got easier to control and gained access to new weapons as time and games went on... But there was never a real change to how he worked or operated. That is until now. Hitman: Blood Money introduces several new improvements into the Hitman franchise, each of which adds depth to this often frustrating series. These improvements, along with a new game engine and an excellent story, make this the best outing 47 has had since the first game introduced us to the enigmatic bald clone.

Starting off slightly before and continuing after Hitman: Contracts, the game follows 47 thru a series of missions narrated by a CIA agent who claims to have killed him. A spy in the Agency where 47 works has given out the identities of his comrades, and he may be next on the list. Of course, this story is just an excuse to send 47 around the world to exotic locals to see the scenery... And kill people for money. Although the game takes place mostly in the states, 47 will also visit an opera house in France and a vineyard in South America, just to prove a six foot tall bald guy can fit anywhere. Graphics are beautiful, to say the least. Each one of these stages appears lovingly crafted to give Hitman his own little slice of world to visit. Weather your suffering through the snow-blinding area around a ski lodge, taking a casual stroll through suburbia, or fighting off mosquitoes around Louisiana, Hitman's visuals never fail to impress. Of particular note is your tour through Mardi Gras, as the stage is just PACKED with NPC's whose bodies start falling like threshed wheat if ever you get into a firefight on the street.

Of course, Hitman himself has gone through a few upgrades this itineration. Of chief note is Hitman's new found ability to use his fists. If you’re face to face with a target, 47 puts his head to good use by pulling off a vicious head-butt. Tap the attack button again, and he knocks the enemy out with two solid boxing style punches. Its quick, vicious, effective, and fits 47's character perfectly. Another good point is that if you ever find yourself facing an enemy with a gun while you have none, a quick tap of the attack trigger will wrench it out of an enemies hand and into yours. With the tables turned, Hitman can now educate his enemy on the proper way to discharge a firearm. Also from behind, 47 can now push people. Doesn't sound like a very effective fighting technique, and it isn't meant to be. Instead, an enemy near a railing, ledge, or balcony can be pushed over the edge to make it look like an accident. They wanted to die anyway, they just needed a push.

Hitman has also gained a few other tricks. His ability to leap between balconies has been put into the gameplay a bit more often than a random occurrence. Few people remember, but this ability was in the first Hitman game, and was used for a sequence in the Hotel mission to bypass a guard. Now, balcony leaps are all over the place, and can get our anti-hero to special places... Like to a rope holding a piano which will, with the help of a well placed bomb, fall on an unsuspecting target. New as well is what is known as the 'accident' system. Instead of putting a bullet squarely into the head of an enemy, Hitman can rig things to be a bit more... convenient. Gas powered stoves can be rigged to burst, pianos can fall on heads, prop guns used for musical productions can be switched with real ones... Things like that happen all the time. At one part, one of your targets is working out in a gym. Do you poison him, use a silenced weapon, or just wait until he can't bench-press anymore and drop the weights on him? Accidents are the key in Hitman: Blood Money the more, the better.

Of course, let’s say you don't do things the Silent Assassin way. Suppose you go in guns blazing? Hitman now builds a reputation based on his actions. The less people know it’s an assassination, the more money he gets. Kill only your targets, let no one see you, and leave no trace to get the best payoff. If anyone does see or identifies you, 47 becomes wanted. At the end of each stage, you have the option of paying some of your hard earned cash to lose some of your wanted level. Bribe witnesses, retrieve your suit, get back your custom weapons, threaten people, or change your identity to lose that notoriety. If you don't, next time you walk into a stage trying to be subtle you may find everyone knows who you are. The money earned on successful hits doesn't have to be used for bribery, though. Anything you have left can be used to earn upgrades for your weapons. Ever wanted a silenced rapid firing shotgun? Or a briefcase that lets you sneak a sniper rifle through metal detectors? Everything has a high cost, so that hard earned cash you’re getting will disappear fast.

The Xbox version of this game can't stand up to its younger brother in terms of graphical prowess, nor does it have those cool achievements. However, the game is no slouch in graphic quality and is still a leap above its PS2 counterpart. Most notable is that fact its $10 cheaper than the 360 version. All together, however, this game won't make you a Hitman fan if you weren't one before. But for those who love this series this may be 47 best outing to date. Now if only he would learn to smile...