HITMAN: ABSOLUTION micro review (part two)

The Hitman franchise has never been story focused; sure it's always had one, but then so does your cup at Chipotle (and it's a tossup as to which one is more developed).  Absolution has taken it upon itself to fix this "problem" by creating gameplay that's driven by its narrative rather than a narrative driven by gameplay.  I'm really torn on this new direction:  on one hand it limits the variety of locales and weapons you get but on the other, it draws you more into the world that 47 inhabits and expands on his character more than any other game in the series.

But it still can't explain situations like this....

Now that 47 is more like an actual person instead of a blank avatar, you genuinely CARE about his journey.  His enemies have also been more developed; they are vile, awful human beings who's total lack of humanity will make you will revel in the punishment you deliver upon them.  Hitman games have always been about discretion, but occasionally you'll have to fight back the urge to cut a bloody swath through these despicable bastards.  One level actually comprises entirely of 47's (and you're) choice of whether or not to kill a defenseless bad guy in the middle of the desert; sure he's scared and unarmed, but you've seen him do awful things to innocent people who were also scared and equally unarmed.

Oh don't mind me guys, I'm just aiming up..  I mean....  

uhhh, fuck it you guys are toast!

Thanks to the story, you no longer get to choose your weapon load out and spend much of the game without 47's iconic black suit/red tie or his trademark silverballer pistols.  Losing the ability to plan your hits right down to the tools seriously hurts the essence of what makes Hitman, Hitman.  On the flipside, as you progress through the story, you start to regain the things that have defined 47 for 4 games now.  The moment when he gets his suit back carries a surprising amount of gravity to the point where i was loathe to part with it again....   until i came across a squirrel costume and HAD to put it on.

C'mon, you'd do it too....  DON'T JUDGE ME!

Story focus in video games is a thing, whether you like it or not.  At this rate, we'll soon see a version of Tetris where the main character (voiced by Sam Worthington) has to stack blocks to protect us from cyber-terrorists.  While Absolution's story is far from offensive, it commits the unforgivable crime of killing one of Hitman's best features.....  and it will pay for its sins!

to be concluded.....