Hitman Episode 6: Hokkaido – Review

Developed By: IO-Interactive

Published By: Square Enix

Release Date: October 31st, 2016

Platforms: Xbox One, PC, PS4

Boy, IO-Interactive sure does know how to craft a video game.

Hitman season one wrapped up on Halloween with the release of Hokkaido, a level centered around a resort/medical facility in the mountains of Japan. The stakes were high after IO released five phenomenal episodes and two bonus missions, but there was no letdown. Situs Inversus combines an upscale spa with a supervillain lair, complete with drug-addled scientists and violent guards. As an added bonus, there are never before seen elements that increase the difficulty in a brilliant way. Simply put, Hokkaido is one hell of an accomplishment.

Continuing a fantastic trend set by Paris, the Gama facility is a drop dead gorgeous level. It doesn’t matter if you are roaming around examining the futuristic medical equipment, exploring the hot springs, or simply taking a stroll through guard-infested ski trails; every section of Hokkaido looks fantastic. Hell, I didn’t even want to leave the opening area. 47’s room overlooks a beautiful valley with what appears to be Mount Yotei sitting majestically in the distance. It’s exceptionally easy to get lost in the environment, even more so than Sapienza or Bangkok. If you watch long enough, you will even notice paper lanterns floating past.

So beautiful.

Luckily, you will have the chance to explore all of Gama as Situs Inversus tasks 47 with assassinating two main targets. One is the dirty traitor that has been hinted at throughout the entire season, and the other is a Yakuza lawyer who just wants to eat Sushi and practice yoga. The targets couldn’t be more different, but they are perfectly suited to Gama’s different sections. Erich Soders is stuck in the medical facility like a James Bond villain, with doctors attending to his every need. Tracking him down takes a fair amount of patience and even more discipline. The lawyer, on the other hand, is roaming freely around the public areas looking for people to chew out or throw off a cliff if needed.

The premise reeks of a spy movie only without the drawn out torture devices or crazy shootouts which is a refreshing change of pace.

Utter relaxation

Starting off, it’s immediately evident that Hokkaido is a unique level. 47 has no options for smuggling weapons or wearing suits as he is given only a Kimono without pockets. He literally starts the mission lying in a comfortable bed. As 47 sits up, an AI chirps and begins to explain that Gama is controlled entirely by computers and electronic locks. There is no lockpicking allowed, and doors can only be unlocked by AI. Gone are the standard Hitman methods for infiltrating buildings. This new wrinkle completely changes how the level operates and causes you to constantly strategize while exploring. Even the yoga studio is locked up! After multiple playthroughs, I still haven’t figured out which outfits grant access to certain parts of the facility.

Despite the difficulty of exploration, Hokkaido is a level well worth spending hours in. There are random outfits to wear and secret conversations to overhear. As always, the NPC’s provide assassination opportunities and helpful intel with their constant gossip. However, not all conversations explain how to properly take out the targets. Some are just for fun. There even seems to be an overt reference to Sleeping Dogs in one of the conversations. Although it could be a coincidence. IO has shown a fondness for referencing other games in previous episodes, so let’s assume that the phrase was used on purpose. If random comments aren’t enough of an Easter Egg, there is also a possible reference to Hitman: Absolution in the form of a fellow patient and his collection of cowboy hats.

Me? I always wear my 10-gallon to the Spa.

Hokkaido is by far the best mission outside of Sapienza, but it doesn’t really provide much of an answer to the season long storyline. Hopefully you weren’t coming to this episode solely for the purpose of wrapping up the story. Sure, the cutscenes explain a few key points, but the majority of questions are still left unanswered. Hitman ends like a season of a TV show, perfectly setting up some questions to be answered next year–or whenever season two premieres.  

Until then, we can all just sit back and hunt down Elusive Targets or fulfill the literal thousands of Contracts available.

Try the Dragon Roll.

Once again, IO-Interactive have outdone themselves. Hitman’s season finale takes everything great from the previous few episodes and wraps it up in a fluorescent-lighted spa of death. This episodic assassination fest was already Game of the Year material simply based on Sapienza, Marrakesh, and Bangkok, but Hokkaido just pushes it over the top. All IO had to do was throw in some more outfits and design a pretty level, and I would have been happy. Instead, they changed the gameplay enough to create a fascinating challenge and added the option to kill someone with Sushi.

Man, Hitman is amazing.