Maybe I’m getting a little cranky in my old age but I found this a little disturbing. Not so much the content, because like all people who grew up in Generation X (well on the cusp of it anyway) I’m totally desensitised to most forms of brutality.
Have a look first then I’ll explain what I found disconcerting.
What disturbs me is the implication that as a gamer, I’m going to be attracted to a product because there are Nuns in sexy outfits with guns; then to really reel me in throw in some brutal hand to hand violence directed towards these women. Now I’m not saying there’s no justification for Agent 47 killing them, clearly they’re trained killers (although I found their footwear was probably a little inappropriate for taking on an extremely dangerous foe) but was there any need for a slow motion headbutt followed by broken nose animation?
Square Enix has never really been about this kind of approach. Sure Hitman is about killing people, and should you choose it can be done in pretty damn brutal ways. But present that as a focal point? This is shock tactics at it’s worst. And I’m playing right into their hands by talking about it. But like the Ghost Recon shenanigans I’m still compelled to say something.
Here’s what I would have done; having the assassins approach in nun’s gear is a masterful stroke, I love the idea of hiding in plain sight. But when they threw off their cloaks they should have been in tactical gear (at least wearing some form of body armour). The weapons were a little OTT but again, I can see the point. Agent 47 is the best of the best so an RPG might actually be warranted. The first couple kills can remain the same, darting in, killing quickly and quietly and appearing between them would also be ok. But keep the hand to hand minimal. Yes he could and should strike the women, they’re trying to kill him but what I’d have liked to see was him using their strength and momentum as a weapon. make them shoot their friends, dodge etc.
It wasn’t far wrong, I just felt this played to the very worst stereotypes of gamers. That we’re violent psychopaths, one bad game of COD away from turning into murderers ourselves.
Do you think I read too much into this? Let us know in the comments below.
