Hitman Absolution Switch Review

Hitman Absolution Switch Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch

Long-time readers will know that I’ve been a fan of Hitman since Codename 47 first dropped 25 years ago. Its tactical and strategic gameplay, paired with 47’s cold and methodical approach to targets, made for an intriguing experience with one of gaming’s most distinctive anti-heroes. Much like Agent 47 is an expert at what he does, Feral Interactive have developed a reputation for bringing solid ports to the Switch, including GRID Autosport, Company of Heroes, and Hitman: Blood Money. Hitman Absolution was their next target, bringing the popular 2012 title to Nintendo’s hybrid console. What’s It Like? Select your loadout, stick to the shadows, and steady your aim as we set our sights on reviewing Hitman: Absolution for Nintendo Switch.

Hitman Absolution takes a more personal turn for Agent 47, placing him at the centre of a story built on betrayal and redemption. After being ordered to eliminate his long-time handler, Diana Burnwood, 47 finds himself protecting a mysterious girl named Victoria while uncovering a conspiracy that runs deep within the Agency. Unlike the contracts of Blood Money or the sandbox design of later entries, Absolution delivers a tightly focused mission structure that focuses more on cinematic storytelling. Each mission ties directly into the overarching plot and can have several specific sections, including revisiting areas you have already been to. The story is further fleshed out with detailed cutscenes in between these sections that help sell the emotional weight of 47’s choices.  I had forgotten most of the story to Hitman Absolution despite putting plenty of hours into it on the Xbox 360, and while it may not be as grounded as World of Assassination on Switch 2, it’s a well-written narrative full of mystery and surprises that had me hooked from start to finish.

As mentioned, some missions in Hitman Absolution are divided into smaller sections, giving the game a more structured flow than the sprawling sandboxes the series is known for today. These sub-stages keep the pacing tight and make each encounter feel like a self-contained challenge. There are still plenty of ways to eliminate a target, and experimentation remains one of the game’s strongest traits. In one mission, I was approaching a building where my next mark was waiting, expecting to sneak past a small army of guards. Instead, the target made the mistake of stepping out onto a balcony, and I quietly lined up a shot with my silenced pistol from behind a nearby car, saving myself a lengthy infiltration. Of course, subtlety isn’t the only option.

There were moments where things went sideways, and rather than restart, I embraced the firefight and put 47’s sharpshooting skills to work. Sometimes, completion was better than perfection, and while I performed some decent environmental kills or expert assassinations, sometimes, a quick gunshot before dispersing with the crowd was called for.

Your performance is constantly being evaluated, and each section of a mission carries its own rating. Some runs saw me rewarded as a Silent Assassin, while other times I was fumbling through the level, tripping alarms and leaving a trail of mistakes behind me. The scoring system encourages replaying missions to perfect your approach, giving the game a layer of longevity even within its linear design. It was also nice ot see the Easter Eggs and wild assassinations made the transition to Switch in one piece.

Hitman Absolution takes a clear step up from Blood Money in terms of visuals. Characters are more detailed, environments are filled with detailed scenery and subtle touches, and visual effects still hold up well. On the Switch and Switch 2, the visuals remain impressive, though there is some minor pixellation due to the resolution. While Blood Money featured large crowds in New Orleans, Absolution expands on this with even more densely populated areas and fully realised worlds that feel alive. Walking through Chinatown for the first time or sneaking onto a train platform still impresses, even by today’s standards.

It’s remarkable to see how well a game over 13 years old maintains its visual impact while running smoothly on Nintendo hardware. I did have one pain point, and that was the on-screen prompts, which I can’t seem to turn off, appearing in the middle of the screen, and that sometimes broke immersion. There were plenty of times when a large “Change Cover” prompt appeared while I was simply waiting for my target to get into melee range.

While the worlds and immersion of Hitman Absolution hit the target, the game is not without its issues. The biggest problem is occasional stuttering in certain areas, which appears to be the system loading parts of the environment. The frame rate itself remains steady, but the world around 47 can lurch and jolt, particularly when starting a mission. This sometimes happens mid-level as well, though strangely, it rarely occurs during high-intensity action sequences. There is also some noticeable level-of-detail pop-in, especially on the faces of NPCs in crowds, and minor physics glitches occur occasionally. Because these issues happen outside of the main action, they do not significantly impact the overall experience, but they do make initial entrances into areas feel slightly less polished. Knowing Feral Interactive, these issues will most likely be patched out in the first few weeks after release, but it is worth noting them during early access.

For my hitmen and hitwomen looking into accessibility, I’m pleased to report there are plenty of options on offer here. These include aim assists, gyro controls, cover control enhancements, swapping left and right sticks, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and highlighting environmental objects as a visual aid. It’s great to see Feral Interactive continue to offer unique and varied controller setups, along with a strong accessibility suite that helps bring Hitman to a wider audience.

At just under $40 AUD, Hitman Absolution offers plenty of gameplay for assassins looking to perfect their craft. While it features less open-ended gameplay than World of Assassination, its narrative and the variety of ways to eliminate targets mean you can replay the same mission multiple times and discover new strategies. Feral Interactive are also planning to release Contracts Mode in the first quarter of 2026, along with a free upgrade to the Switch 2 version during the same period, adding even more longevity to the experience.

Hitman Absolution on Nintendo Switch is a solid and engaging port that proves the game still holds up more than a decade later. Its cinematic story, variety of assassination methods, and structured mission design make it a satisfying stealth experience, even if some minor performance issues are present. The game rewards experimentation and skill, whether you’re sneaking past guards or taking a more direct approach when things go wrong. With the planned Contracts Mode and Switch 2 upgrade on the horizon, it’s a great time to be a Hitman fan. Now that Feral Interactive have brought Hitman: Absolution to Switch, there’s never been a better time to return to the shadows. Good luck, 47.

So, What’s it Like? Hitman Absolution is a more cinematic take on Blood Money.

In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by the publisher, but this doesn’t influence my score.

Enjoyed our Hitman Absolution Switch Review?

✨ Support What’s It Like? Want to help keep this independent Nintendo outlet running? Here are a few ways you can support:
🌐 More Nintendo reviews and guides: https://www.whatsitlike.com.au/
☕ Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/whatsitlike
🎥 Join the Patreon for behind-the-scenes content: https://patreon.com/u102681944