Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal for the Nintendo Switch, published by Feral Interactive, is a nostalgia-inducing trip to the roots of the Hitman franchise, where Blood Money counted as one of the best in the series before the reboot we saw in recent years. Originally released in 2006, Blood Money has returned with some modern enhancements, but does it hold up well on the Switch? Let’s dive into the highs and lows.
Hitman: Blood Money’s narrative of course thrusts you into the shoes of the infamous Agent 47, entangled in a web of intrigue with a rival agency called “The Franchise.” The game’s strength lies in its sandbox missions, with impressive locations ranging from the Paris Opera to the Las Vegas Strip. The premise sets the stage for the carefully planned execution of contracts, and it’s a testament to the game’s enduring appeal that even after 18 years, the narrative remains engaging. The addition of new features, like Instinct Mode and a mini-map, adds a layer of complexity to mission execution.
Gameplay-wise, Blood Money has always been revered for its open-ended approach to assassination – a trendsetting feature at the time, and Reprisal leans into that legacy and what followed it. The addition of Instinct Mode, which was inspired by the more recent Hitman games, offers a mixed bag though. While it enhances situational awareness, its limited functionality in certain scenarios leaves something to be desired as these missions weren’t originally designed for this feature. The new mini-map, on the other hand, proves invaluable, aiding players in tracking targets and avoiding detection. The hallmark of the game remains its multifaceted approach to missions, encouraging experimentation, creativity, and replayability – and all of that is still here in full force.
Feral Interactive has introduced gyro-aiming for the Switch, which is a welcome addition that enhances precision and brings a fresh and immersive dynamic to aiming. While not enabled by default, it proves advantageous once mastered, especially for newcomers struggling with the analog controls. The option to toggle these features on and off also provides flexibility, allowing seasoned players to preserve the classic experience while catering to newcomers seeking a more accessible entry point. Master the controls, and you’ll find that the game’s core mechanics reward patience, precision, and creative problem-solving, making it a true classic in stealth gameplay.
Blood Money’s visuals and audio, while undoubtedly showing their age, manage to deliver a captivating experience on the Switch, even in mobile mode. The game maintains a relatively stable 30fps, with occasional framedrops and freezes upon unpause or transitioning to cutscenes. These performance glitches are noteworthy, and Feral Interactive should address these through patches. The game’s soundtrack complements the tension-filled atmosphere of covert operations, and is unchanged from the original release.
Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal, despite its flaws, delivers a solid Switch port that caters to both veterans and newcomers. The enhancements make the game more accessible, but some technical issues, such as freezes and a capped framerate, warrant attention. The game’s enduring fun factor, coupled with the timeless appeal of its assassination gameplay, makes it a worthwhile addition to the Switch library. Whether you’re a seasoned Hitman fan or a newcomer to the franchise, Reprisal offers a compelling journey into the world of covert contracts and calculated eliminations – and it’s great to have a console version of Hitman you can take on the game.
Score: 7.5/10
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