IO Interactive's Hitman series is infused with a style and ambiance all its own.

User Rating: 8.5 | Hitman Trilogy PS2
Imagine yourself sitting on a pristine beach at a resort near the shores of Tripoli, lappin' up rays and taking in the sights. You eye an attractive member of the opposite sex and scan their figure as they saunter down the coastline. A waiter brings you that drink you ordered. You sip it and let the flavors caress your taste buds. Something is off, though. You begin to feel drowsy. As your heart skips its final beat, you take one last glance at the waiter as he walks away - a bar code visible on the back of his head. You've just been hit by Agent 47.

IO Interactive's Hitman series is infused with a style and ambiance all its own. The protagonist in Agent 47 is a classic case of bad ass and through the player's actions, he can become a legend. For fans of the stealth genre, not only are the Hitman games worth a look, but the Trilogy pack makes an excellent buy. The series even has enough going on for it in the action department that those less interested in stealth will find something that can appeal as well.

The first game most people will take a look at is Hitman 2: Silent Assassin. The game is presented in a largely cinematic style that will continue throughout the rest of the series. The story follows Agent 47 on a path to redemption. His plans are halted when the priest at the monastery where he works is kidnapped. Unable to track down the priest on his own, 47 is forced to return to work for his former organization known as The Agency. In return for information, 47 must carry out a series of contract kills. The existence of this "bald killer clone" is often regarded as nothing more than myth. Presented with some fun and challenging stealth mechanics, it is ultimately up to the player whether or not Agent 47 is the Silent Assassin.

Contracts, the third game in the series, takes a trip through 47's past. Although some of the story is interesting, it ultimately doesn't stack up to Silent Assassin. The stealth mechanics are still present with a more lenient "suspicion meter". Contracts really isn't a bad game. There are just a few elements in the overall presentation that drag the game down a bit.

If Contracts leaves something to be desired, Blood Money breathes new life into the series. With a new engine and some newer elements added to the gameplay, Hitman reinvents itself and truly ups the ante in terms of the cinematic style that IO seems to be going for with the series. The new gameplay elements include weapons upgrades and a notoriety system. Admittedly, while the notoriety system is a good idea, it hasn't been fully fleshed out. If 47 gains notoriety (i.e. is seen performing a hit), it's simply a matter of paying off witnesses when the mission is through, thus leaving notoriety no effect. It is an interesting feature, though, and presents possibilities for any following games in the series.

On the whole, the Hitman Trilogy pack is definitely worth a look. The stylistic presentation coupled with fun and rewarding stealth action gameplay makes the series very appealing. At the current price of $30 USD, this set is a steal.