To go along with the release of Episode 6: Hokkaido today, Io-Interactive has released a new Hitman update on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC that makes numerous improvements and fixes issues. The update is around 5GB to 8GB, depending on your platform, while the new episode is 6GB to 7GB, depending on your platform.
Here’s what you’ll find with today’s Hitman update:
General Improvements
- Target Images on Loading Screen – The images of targets are now shown on the loading screens. These are not shown for Escalation Contracts and other objectives are not displayed.
- Checkmarks added to Target Kill Conditions – When viewing the objectives for a contract, targets will now have a checkmark next to the optional kill conditions for weapon and disguise to indicate if they have been achieved, or not.
- Debriefing Screen shows Objectives Information – The scoring screen now displays a count of how many objectives have been completed. Example: “All objectives completed (8/9)”
- Improvements to Gear and Weapon Lists – Gear and weapons are now listed in categories, rather than tabs. This should make it easier to find specific items. This can be seen when viewing the Loadout, Career and Agency pickup pages.
- Mini Map ‘North’ Indicator – Added a new option that allows players to toggle a ‘North Indicator’ on the mini-map.
- The HUD now displays a detailed ‘Visibly Armed’ status – The game now shows which item or weapon is considered to be ‘illegal’.
- Kill Types in Inventory – The in-game inventory now displays the kill condition of each item. For example, a screwdriver will show ‘Lethal Melee’ and ‘Lethal Throw’. This is useful for identifying which item can be used for specific kill condition requirements.
- Contracts Mode: Tagging Targets – When creating a Contract, it is now possible to unmark a target from the Notebook page. This is to allow players to unmark a target that may have been bodybagged or otherwise unable to be unmarked using the in-game camera view.
- Contracts: My History – Players can now see all the contracts that they have played, sorted by most recently played, in a new ‘My History’ menu.
- ‘Contracts’ Page Adjustments – The Contracts Tab has been adjusted to only show options for Contracts Mode. As such, Escalation Contracts, Elusive Targets and Sarajevo 6 (PS4 only) have been moved to the respective page in the ‘Destinations’ Tab. Elusive Targets can also be viewed as a group via the ‘Career’ tab.
- Featured Hub Adjustments – The Featured Hub will now display the most recently played Story Mission, rather than the most recently released Story Mission.
- General Menu/UI Improvements – Added general improvements to displaying content in the menus, across the game.
- Improved performance with Suspend/Standby modes on consoles – Reconnecting to the game’s servers after the console has previously been in a suspend or standby state for an extended time will be more consistent.
- General fixes related to initial server sign-in – Fixed an issue that was frequently causing players to ‘timeout’ when attempting to connect to the game servers. Typically, this was affecting players that frequently restarted sessions in quick succession.
Fixed Issues
- Fixed an issue that could cause opportunity steps to remain on screen when switching between opportunities.
- Fixed an issue where General Zaydan would sometimes not react to Strandberg’s dead body. [Marrakesh, A Gilded Cage]
- Fixed a naming inconsistency in the Lydon Gyration Escalation Contract.
- Fixed an issue where 47 could get stuck in the environment after loosing the valve on specific gas tanks. [Freedom Fighters, Colorado]
- Fixed an issue where ‘subdue’ and ‘inject poison’ prompts could overlap.
- Fixed issues that could occur after loading a save during the combat state.
- Some sounds were still audible when all sounds were muted in the menu. Now they are not.
- Fixed various issues on multiple locations that could cause NPCs to ‘teleport’ when performing specific actions.
- Made adjustments to opportunities in Paris, so that the reveal and actions of NPCs are more consistent with expected behaviour.
- Fixed an issue with ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ opportunity in Marrakesh that would prevent it from being completed.
As for Episode 6: Hokkaido, it includes the new Situs Inversus story mission, seven new Guided Opportunities for Situs Inversus, 20 levels of Hokkaido Mastery, the new VIP patient suit, 70+ specific challenges, seven new Tropgies/Achievements, and a new The Sarajevo Six contract on PS4. You can learn more about the season finale in the above trailer.
Looking ahead, another game update is expected within the next couple of weeks, adding a new reward system for Elusive Targets, more suit unlocks, and new ways to unlock the suits. November will also see Elusive Target #13: The Ex-Dictator, 10 featured Contracts, Elusive Target #14 in Paris, an Escalation Contract, and Elusive Target #15 in Marrakesh.
Io-Interactive Studio Head Hannes Seifert hinted at the future of Hitman:
It was a brave decision to go fully digital episodic with Hitman, fundamentally changing how we make the game, and for us it has been a major success. I want to say a big thank you to all the players for making this possible! Together we’ve built and run the biggest and most replayable locations of any Hitman game and added new live content every single week since launch. And although we’re now completing season one, this is only the beginning for our ever expanding World of Assassination.
The complete first season of Hitman will be released at retail on January 31, 2017.
[Source: Hitman]
Best M Rated Games
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Best M Rated Games on PlayStation 4
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Batman: Arkham Knight
While it may not reach the highs of Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham Knight is another solid entry in Rocksteady's Batman series. It's also the first game from the British developer to get an M rating. The car combat is the most divisive addition in the game, so your mileage may vary depending on if you dig it or not.
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Bloodborne
If you're a fan of From Software's Souls series, then Bloodborne might be the game for you. Focusing on dodging more than blocking, this faster paced action game still retains the high difficulty that has made these titles so divisive. Excellent DLC has also been released for Bloodborne, so there's plenty of content to sink your teeth into.
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Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
The best first-person shooter on the system, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is one of the few bright spots in Activision's series as of late. It features a fantastic campaign that tells a compelling story, and has frantic multiplayer. The additional movement is also fully fleshed out, not feeling tacked-on.
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Dark Souls III
Dark Souls III brings From Software's trilogy of titles to an end with a bang. There's more customization than Bloodborne, so if you're looking for a game where you can experiment with class types then you're set. Secrets are still being discovered about this recent release, so there's still plenty to learn about it.
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Diablo III: Reaper of Souls
Blizzard's Diablo III: Reaper of Souls was fantastic on PC, and managed to make the jump to consoles seamlessly. The loot grind is as satisfying as ever here, and cooperative play makes this really shine. You can even play with a friend locally.
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Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition
Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition is another solid PC port. If you're a fan of computer RPGs then you'll find a lot to like in this modernized throwback. There's dozens of quests to do, and a huge map to explore. Throw in a huge amount of depth to the action, and you'll be set for weeks if not months.
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DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition
DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition is one of the best character action games ever made. Running at a solid 60 frames-per-second, DmC features some of the most inventive level design in any game period. The action is intense, and amazing boss fights cap off this gem.
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Dragon Age: Inquisition
The latest entry in BioWare's fantasy role-playing game, Dragon Age: Inquisition, is the best one yet. There's a fascinating story that players can help shape, and the gameplay is more polished than ever. Inquisition is quite the accomplishment, and it's hard not to be excited for the upcoming Mass Effect title from the studio.
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Fallout 4
Fallout 4 might not be a huge enhancement over Fallout 3, but it's still more Fallout. That's a good thing, and there's still enough here to lose days to once you sink your teeth in. A few new gameplay systems add some additional depth mechanically, and you might just get addicted to building settlements.
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Far Cry 4
Much like Fallout 4, Far Cry 4 suffers from a sense of déjà vu. That said, once you get past the fact that you're basically playing Far Cry 3 in a slightly less interesting locale, there's still a lot to like. Taking over strongholds is just as fun as ever, and completionists will love finding all the secrets.
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Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V was one of the best games on PlayStation 3, and it's still one of the best titles on PS4. The latest entry in Rockstar's signature series features plenty of improvements on current hardware including better technical performance, and a first-person mode that changes the game significantly. It's worth picking up if you haven't played it before, or beat it on PS3.
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Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Despite Konami's best efforts to annoy gamers with microtransactions, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is still one of the best games on the system. The Kojima directed stealth game finally reaches the high level of gameplay that the series has always aimed for, and feels like the true culmination of the series. While Metal Gear Solid might be over as we know it, it at least went out with an instant classic.
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Mortal Kombat XL
The best fighting game on PS4, Mortal Kombat XL features all of MKX's DLC onto one disc. Additional characters such as the Predator and Triborg add a lot to the character roster. There's also a fantastic campaign, as Neversoft proves they're ahead of the rest of the genre in terms of single-player modes.
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The Last of Us Remastered
Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Remastered is a true triumph in video game storytelling. Sure, there's plenty of action, but it's the slower moments that make The Last of Us something special. Rarely do you care for characters like you will for Joel and Ellie.
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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the largest role-playing games ever made. It's not just empty land mass, though, as there's plenty of stuff to do. In fact, there's almost too much to do! If you're looking for a game to spend 100s of hours on, then The Witcher 3 is the best choice.
