It's finally here! Hitman: Absolution is now available from all major game retailers. In this highly anticipated fifth instalment of the series, Agent 47 returns for his most dangerous - and personal - contract to date. Betrayed by those he once trusted and hunted by the police, Agent 47 finds himself caught in the centre of a dark conspiracy and propelled through a corrupt and twisted world. 

Hitman: Absolution features the most comprehensive graphics and AI to date thanks to IO Interactive's all-powerful Glacier 2 engine. With 20 levels, 5 difficulty settings and a bucketload of guns, disguises and improvised weapons, we don't expect to see you leaving the house much in the foreseeable future!

In addition to the highly replayable main campaign, the Hitman series sees the introduction of the all-new CONTRACTS mode - the ability to play any level, choose up to any three targets and challenge your friends to beat your high score. This is the Hitman game fans have been waiting for, but don't take our word for it, check out what the critics are saying. 

"Everything that fans have ever loved about the series is still present - disable the aids and it's every bit as tough as earlier instalments - but it's delivered with a beguiling flexibility" - OXM (9/10)

"It’s a fantastic package overall. A dark and witty tale of murder and retribution that can be whatever you want. It captures the ebb and flow of tension that stealth games forgot about years ago but presents it in a way that feels contemporary" - OPM (9/10)

"Hitman: Absolution really is able to present an easier experience for new players, showing them the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the true density and design of its levels, and for experienced players the game scales perfectly to what Hitman fans expect." - NowGamer (8/10) 

"During Hitman Absolution we shot, stabbed, poisoned, crushed, electrocuted, defenestrated, strangled, immolated, impaled, bludgeoned, exploded, drilled, chopped and sniped the comically evil characters that populate the game. The 'tragic accidents' that killed some of them? Yeah, that was us too." - CVG (9/10)

"After several years of increasingly totalitarian games where you’re very much following a pre-determined path, it’s nice to have a game that doesn’t just encourage improvisation; it requires it. More please." - IGN (9/10)

Will you be picking up a copy of Hitman: Absolution? And if you have, what's your favourite (spoiler-free) part so far? We'll be setting some of our own CONTRACTS for you to compete in, so keep checking back on the blog to read more about that soon.