Hitman World of Assassination Switch 2 Review

Hitman World of Assassination Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

I’ve been sneaking around as Agent 47 since the early 2000s, back when Hitman: Codename 47 introduced a whole new way to approach stealth games. Its open-ended missions, creative freedom, and ruthless charm hooked me from the start, and I’ve kept up with the series ever since, through its many evolutions. When IO Interactive announced that the complete Hitman World of Assassination trilogy would arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 with all the bells and whistles, I was both excited and a little cautious. Hitman has grown into such a sprawling, detailed epic over the years that I couldn’t help but wonder: could the Switch 2 really handle everything this modern sandbox offers? What’s it Like? Suit up, zero your scope, and blend in as we review Hitman World of Assassination on Nintendo Switch 2.

For anyone new to the series, Hitman World of Assassination isn’t your typical stealth game. Instead of funneling you down narrow paths or scripted action sequences, each mission drops you into a sprawling sandbox filled with opportunities, and it’s entirely up to you how you approach your targets. You can disguise yourself as nearly anyone, sabotage equipment to make accidents happen, sneak in with a silenced pistol, or, if you’re feeling bold, go in guns blazing (though that rarely ends well). For those unsure where to start, the game’s story missions gently guide you by weaving objectives into the environment itself. Conversations you overhear, clues you spot, they all subtly push you toward creative solutions without ever forcing your hand.

One great example is the opening mission in Paris. You happen to bear a striking resemblance to the lead model in the show, slip into his disguise, and you’ll walk straight down the catwalk and straight into your target’s inner circle. It’s moments like this that make Hitman feel less like a strict stealth game and more like a sandbox where you get to play your own way. Each location you complete earns you experience for that specific map, unlocking new starting areas, agency drop points for stashing gear like sniper rifles, and fresh disguises. It’s a brilliant system that encourages replaying the same mission to see what other hits you can pull off. Challenges hint at hidden methods of performing hits, like poisonings (For which there is a Mario-themed Mushroom) or unusual accidents, and nailing multiple objectives in one run feels incredibly rewarding.

One of my favourite moments came from the second mission. After completing it a few times, I unlocked an exploding golf ball, which can be planted for a delightfully creative (and explosive) assassination. Later, with enough mastery, I unlocked a sniper rifle and headed to a vantage point in a clock tower, turning the mission into a completely different long-distance challenge. There’s also no shortage of modes to explore. Freelancer mode turns Hitman into a roguelike, tasking you with taking down a syndicate by completing escalating contracts from your safehouse. Lose a mission, and the stakes rise as territories become alerted, and resources get scarcer. Failing a final showdown means the whole campaign collapses, forcing you to start again.

But it’s Hitman World of Assassination’s Sniper Challenge that really stood out to me. From a fixed perch, you get 15 minutes to eliminate all your targets in creative ways. Sure, you could simply pick them off in the first minute, but the real joy comes from experimenting: luring guards into traps, setting off accidents, or finding chain reactions that take out multiple enemies at once. It’s surprisingly replayable, and I found myself sinking hours into trying to perfect each scenario.

Having spent plenty of hours with Hitman World of Assassination on the Series X, I was genuinely impressed with how well the Switch 2 version holds up. The game’s signature style is intact as it has believable, detailed locations filled with bustling NPCs who chat, wander, and react as you stalk your targets. The mood is spot on, with 47’s silent menace making you feel like a shark gliding unnoticed through a sea of unsuspecting prey. It’s a real achievement to see this much life and detail running on a portable system. The areas in the game capture a sense of scale, brimming with possibilities. That said, there are a few visual compromises. Occasionally, textures pop in late or signs appear blurry for a moment before sharpening… nothing game-breaking, but noticeable in an otherwise polished package. I also ran into some HDR-related oddness, though to be fair, this may have been tied to my own recording setup rather than the hardware itself.

The gorgeous visuals are backed by a simply outstanding musical score by Niels Bye Nielsen, who manages to set the tone around the world of Agent 47. It’s a beautiful orchestral score with choir-backed vocals that manages to elate tension when needed, or immerse you in the surrounds when you creep through the shadows. Interestingly, I found handheld mode to run smoother than docked at times, where minor framerate dips cropped up during busier scenes. Still, these moments were rare enough that they didn’t spoil the overall experience, and for a game of this scale, it remains a technically impressive feat on the Switch 2. One thing worth mentioning is the game’s reliance on an online connection. While you can play offline, the game keeps separate save files for online and offline play, which is a little clunky. I was also disconnected mid-mission once, which pulled me out of the immersion the game expertly built up to as I waited for the prompt to reconnect. The online requirement is not a deal-breaker, especially since you can tether to a phone if needed, but it does feel slightly at odds with the portability the Switch is designed for. Hopefully, IO Interactive offers a more travel-friendly solution down the line.

Hitman World of Assassination on Switch 2 isn’t just a single game; it’s an entire trilogy, bundling Hitman 1, 2, and 3 together, along with extra locations, missions, and premium DLC content. This is a colossal package, delivering over 150 hours of gameplay if you dive into everything on offer. The story mode remains engaging and well-crafted, drawing you deeper into Agent 47’s shadowy world. Beyond the main campaign, the additional modes provide a fresh, more randomised experience, keeping the gameplay varied and exciting. For fans of the core stealth mechanics, it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever run out of things to do. The game also features a rotating selection of online challenges and modes that add another layer of replayability. Currently, IO Interactive is running a collaboration tied to the upcoming James Bond game, which adds some timely new content and keeps the player base engaged. It’s a well-executed effort that shows IO’s commitment to supporting the game long-term. For my Assassins looking into accessibility, there are no specific options to speak of, although there’s a fair amount of HUD and display customisations that may help with navigation. As always, I recommend further research to find if Hitman World of Assassination suits your needs.

Despite a few minor technical hiccups, Hitman World of Assassination pulled me in and refused to let me go, largely thanks to how much content is packed in here. My review schedule might drag me away, but you can bet I’ll be sneaking in a few more Sniper Challenges in my downtime. For newcomers, this is the perfect entry point. For returning fans, it’s the definitive way to experience the trilogy on the go. IO Interactive has delivered a feature-complete, content-rich package that stands tall on Nintendo’s new hardware. Hitman aimed high on Switch 2, and despite a few small stumbles, it absolutely hit its target.

So, What’s it Like? Hitman World of Assassination is like Metal Gear Solid, crossed with Dishonoured.

Enjoyed our Hitman World of Assassination Switch 2 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