I’ve played a lot of games in virtual reality, nowadays. From original experiences that feel like they couldn’t be replicated in any other way, to incredible games that have made the jump to VR (Superhot) and felt complete, or “proper”, in the virtual world. HITMAN World of Assassination – PS VR2 edition falls into that latter category, or at least it nearly does, adding things I’ve never experienced before, but also adding in its fair share of “huh” moments, along the way.
Let’s start with the good, though. Well, actually, I hesitate to say “good” because it might make me sound like a madman. But I can honestly say, across the early prototypes of Quest, to PlayStation VR, having played Vive’s, Valve Index, and been there for the launches of things like PlayStation VR2, well, I’ve never manually throttled someone to death in a virtual reality game. I’m sure there are stealth games where I’ve crept up and hit a button to action some kind of takedown, but I’ve never physically outstretched my arms, grabbed a digitised human by the neck, and shook them until they expired. I say this because it’s a thing you can do in HITMAN World of Assassination – PS VR2, and in fact, if you want, you can run around doing it loads, almost giving yourself a headache from the violent way in which you’re shaking necks. See? You think I’m a madman.
Backing up, slightly, this version of the game is fully complete. That is to say that HITMAN World of Assassination – PS VR2 is every ounce of Hitman content released that’s still available from the original 2016 Square Enix published edition, including the switch to Warner Bros, and then back to self-publishing, but in VR. It’s also, however, not the VR version you may have already experienced on other setups. The PSVR2 edition has been retooled to add things like dual wielding of pistols, room-scale play-spaces, independent hand use. It includes all the modes, and all the bells and whistles the complete edition of the non-VR game has, and in that respect, as a game collection, I cannot recommend it enough.
But we’re talking VR here, and there are some oddities for the PS VR2 edition. For example, the cut-scenes, are just flat screens you’ll watch like a movie. It’s a hangover for lots of games that make the jump from flat-screen to VR, and to be expected, but just in case you weren’t expecting it, I’m telling you here. Also, while movement is free, there are some sections which are handled in a strange manner.
Let’s take Paris for example. A favourite level for many, I’m sure, and one you know like the back of your own hand. Heading outside to where you can climb up drain pipes, some movements are handled differently. Even hopping over a small balcony to get to an outer car park area, you’ll hit a button and the screen will fade to black, with Agent 47 appearing in the new location. It’s slightly immersion-breaking, but not the end of the world. This is true of many of the areas in the game, but general movement, again, is spot on.
HITMAN World of Assassination – PS VR2 looks fantastic, as well. There are details you’d never see in the flat-screen version. Again, Paris is a perfect example of this. Heading into the main foyer as the target waltzes down the stairs to his adoring public, you can slip around to the right, where a woman is scrolling on her phone. Getting right up behind her, you can see her screen is just a light source, but she is actively scrolling, and “using” it. This attention to detail is impressive, but is even heightened by the fact she’ll turn round and ask if you have a problem. Fair enough, really, as you’re invading her space.
This is replicated elsewhere with other characters. Just getting too close to people will make them edgy, as it should. You can of course still use your special Hitman skills to see where the target is, and the game is slightly trickier in VR just because it requires a more dextrous approach. Throwing items is glorious as they will hone in on enemies, and a handy tutorial will get you ready for all the mechanics you’re likely to encounter throughout. I must say I found sitting and playing a little less comfortable than using a larger play space, but some of the touches and thought behind things are so neat. Even taking someone’s outfit means grabbing it and putting it on, physically. And let me tell you, hiding all those strangled baddies in boxes has a new depth to it when you are actually doing it for real. I do wonder what people walking past my front window may have thought, seeing me play this one.
HITMAN World of Assassination – PS VR2 is a terrific alternative way to play an already incredible game. I can’t pretend I don’t prefer to just sit and play with a controller, but for a game that’s got content the best part of ten years old, refreshing it in this way is a clever thing to do. In the cold light of day, some textures look a little flawed and up closed, belying the source material having never likely been intended for such close scrutiny. A few strange choices with transition movement, and a slightly clumsy handling of cut-scenes aren’t enough to stop me recommending it, though. Hell, even just for the opening of the menus where a silhouetted 47 stands towering over you alone, it’s worth experiencing. It may not be a system seller, but if you have PS VR2, it’s an easy decision to make.
