The first episode for the Hitman reboot was met with so-so fanfare, whereas it would seem that Hitman Episode 2: Sapienza is better received from many gamers. This is the first update for the new Hitman, and it adds in a new map, a whole town that has a bunch of non-player characters (NPCs) that are just itching to be tested with your assassination skills.
Hitman Episode 2: Sapienza Brings More Opportunities to Kill
As the game’s title painfully states, Hitman Episode 2: Sapienza is the 2nd episode of the episodic release of the reboot for the classic videogame. One of the main reasons why Io Interactive, the developer of the game, is making the reboot an episodic release is because it allows them to take on fan feedback to make for a better game. Therefore, aside from keeping their hands full in developing the videogame, they also make a bunch of effort in reading and listening to their fans’ complaints and suggestions.
Even though they do listen to players’ feedback, complaints and suggestions alike, there won’t be much scope found in the first couple of episodes of the game. However, the 2nd Episode to the Hitman reboot already feels like there has been some answers to the complaints and suggestions of players, albeit fairly minor.
The new episode is still pretty much straightforward as that of the1st episode. It contains two training type levels and the first proper mission. Furthermore, just like with a good TV show, there is an overriding story arc which is tied to this first “season” of Hitman. This episode adds more hints as to what is really going on and aims to link all of the various points of the narrative together. However, in majority of your time, you will feel like the 2nd episode is like its own separate game instead of, well, being the 2nd episode to the series.
This is especially a given since the map is now larger as you are now presented with a seaside Italian town. Yes, the Parisian museum found in the first game was impressive, especially when you take a look at the huge crowds of people that are present in it, but this time around the map is larger. It even gives a more open-ended feel.
Overall, Hitman Episode 2: Sapienza looks great, and we are now brought with more things to do primarily because of the larger map. There are now more secrets to discover and it now offers a wider range of assassination opportunities. However, the AI is still distractingly unconvincing and there is a minor problem of load times. There are also times when the game lags a bit.