Saber Interactive and IO Interactive are releasing the first three installments of the Hitman series in 2027 as a technically remastered remaster for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. The package includes the titles Codename 47, Silent Assassin, and Contracts.
Technical modernization instead of gameplay overhaul
The remastered version primarily focuses on the visual aspects of the titles, some of which are over 25 years old. According to the announcement, Saber Interactive is integrating updated character models, higher-resolution textures, and reworked environments. However, the core gameplay mechanics and the original mission structure remain unchanged.
The most important technical feature for purists is an instant graphics toggle. With the push of a button, players can switch between the original visuals and the remastered graphics while the game is running. A newly added photo mode completes the package for enthusiasts.
The historical baggage of the trilogy
The selection of games reveals a clear gap. The fourth installment, "Hitman: Blood Money" from 2006, is completely absent from this announcement. This is incomprehensible. "Hitman: Blood Money" is still considered the pinnacle of the classic era and refined the mechanics that only partially worked in Contracts.
The original Codename 47, released in 2000, has aged particularly poorly. The game relied on a rigid save system and clunky controls that caused frustration on PC. Since this is a remaster and not a true remake, it risks a culture shock for players on modern consoles. While its successors, Silent Assassin and Contracts, ran more smoothly, they too are based on systems that were standard before the modernization brought about by the World of Assassination trilogy.
This announcement is pure nostalgia, but it comes with risks. The ability to change graphics at the touch of a button is a nice feature, but it doesn't save the outdated gameplay. Anyone accustomed to the polished gameplay of current Hitman titles will have to drastically adjust in 2027. Saber Interactive needs to significantly improve the controller mapping to ensure the classics run smoothly on PS5 and Xbox Series. This package will only be a must-buy for hardcore, old-school fans.
