Hitman, and the Art of Repetition
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 31. 05. 2016
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You'll probably suck at Hitman when you first play it. But that's okay: the game makes deft use of repetition to turn you into a master player, and close the skill gap between you and protagonist Agent 47.
Recommended reading / viewing
Writing on Games: "Is Hitman's Episodic Nature Actually Beneficial to the Game?"
âą Is Hitman's Episodic N...
Games shown in this episode (in order of appearance):
Hitman (iO Interactive, 2016)
Batman: Arkham Knight (Rocksteady Studios, 2015)
Mirror's Edge (EA DICE, 2008)
Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar San Diego, 2010)
Dark Souls III (From Software, 2016)
Music used in this episode:
Thoughts Alive, animeistrash
Runaway, animeistrash
Syrup, animeistrash
Thoughts Alive, animeistrash
Syrup, animeistrash
animeistrash - Thoughts Alive
animeistrash.bandcamp.com/alb...
Other credits
TheKotti - "HITMAN - Sapienza Chain Explosion"
âą HITMAN - Sapienza Chai...
Contribute translated subtitles - amara.org/v/C3BF6/ - Hry
You know, whenever I think of the repetition of the same game level, I'd like to imagine this is how Agent 47 visualize his playground and the possibilities of how he should execute targets and complete his mission all before actually doing it so he would be so comfortable and chill that he doesn't even break a sweat.
You ever play Katana Zero? It's kind of like Hotline Miami but with a sideways view, and when you fail a level it's kinda like how you imagine 47 working: your failed attempts are ways in which the protagonist is planning to go through a level, when you fail there's a screen where he says "...yeah, _that_ wouldn't work", and when you finally succeed, the replay showing your successful attempt is a VHS recording of how you did it and how things _actually_ played out in the end
Yeah, I just imagine him sitting in an all white room, with a blank face for hours, thinking, and then he nods and checks and arranges his weapons, which are in a suitcase next to him.
Ahhh...like how Robert Downey Jr.âs Sherlock Holmes character works out a fight or sees it play through in his head before he attempts it. I like this. â ïž
This idea is really cool. It's like playing chess.
This video makes me really want to try this game.
Yeah, I was like whatever until now. This is sick
+pmac139 When does the complete retail version come out?
Yeah. But not with that episodic nonsense... play Hitman 2 instead.
It's a great game imo.
Agreed, but I'll wait till the full game is released.
"Repetition legitimizes." - Adam Neely.
"Repetition legitimizes." - Adam Neely.
One of the best channels on game design. Im learning a lot thank thanks to you. Keep it up!
Would you be so kind as to point out other channels? I really love this channel and more like it would be nice!
There you have it. Ahoy is also one of my favorites. Really cool vids with a lot of effort put into them.
Thanks for sharing hadn't heard of those before :)
I would also like to add RagnarRox, ClassicGameJunkie, extracredits/extraplay & GDC. // Not maybe fully like this video but I have personally find them enjoyable. ~
Worldofleveldesign too for, well, level design ;)
also check out ACG and extra credits
This was awesome Mark! Didn't realize the new Hitman was so extravagant. Looks like a blast to go back and try killing in different ways!
hello there!
You're another one of the best gaming channels on youtube, just wanted to point that out
My 2 favourite gaming analysts, Snoman and Mark :)
@@enriqueuret General Kenobi
You know each other?
âThat, is viktor novikov.â
That line is so engrained in my brain. I played that first level sooo many times. And EVERY TIME you walk through the front door there's that "That, is Viktor Novikov" line! Haha, I love Hitman, so sad that 3 is the end of the "World of Assassination" trilogy! Would love for them too keep going! Really excited for their 007 game though!
Head of sanguine,and ringleader of IAGO,quite the resume.
Hitman would lose its fun if it had that helping hand bullcrap.
"Target 1 will enter the bathroom, you have 25 seconds before someone else comes in" or something stupid like that
later:
"Mission Failed - Target left bathroom"
The main reason I love Hitman 2 is the huge amount of freedom that comes with it. Like there are so many ways to kill a person, and you never have to follow a set of instructions. And this is the reason why I'm not such a big fan of games like RDR2, for example, if you don't put your horse in an exact spot in a mission, it will fail.
there is still hand-holding though, like the opportunities, but even with an opportunity there is no game over until 47 dies.
So.... Absolution?
People are like "oh yeah you can even ignore the opportunities" if I'm not mistaken, you can completely disable them in settings, still being able to do then without guidance. It's really up to the player.
Great video, just want to say the part about having to hide bodies to achieve Silent Assassin is incorrect. The bodies just mustn't be found, unless the deaths are the result of accident kills. Then it doesn't matter either way.
+Alex Niedt Gaming aha! I wish they had more of these types of challenges. would like an all-accidents challenge, for example
Yes, accidents only challenges would be nice.
Would love to hear your take on MGS5 changing the need to hide bodies, by allowing you to fulton them away.
+Neil M My take? I think it's a fun mechanic. Silly, but fun.
Alex Niedt Gaming hi Alex!
Hitman does have "Instinct Mode" though, which is essentially the same as in batman arkham
Amanpreet gill Itâs in both Hitman 1 and Hitman 2
Blazing Fire hi , i just bought hitman season 1 and Iâve only played absolution in the series many years ago, is it better turn off the things that make gameplay easier like instincts, etc.? or just play it the way it is?
@what the fuck
My first Hitman game was Hitman 1 so Iâm probably not the best person to ask but Iâll give my opinion anyways.
I personally like playing with instinct on. I feel like having it on makes the game more enjoyable because I have an easier time knowing where the target is which means I donât have to wander around the level until I find them like I have to in elusive targets. Itâs also helpful for when trying to avoid enforcers. I know where they are if they are relatively close to me so itâs never a surprise when I encounter one. It removes the obstacle of knowing where the target/enforces are. I like instinct because I believe that those obstacles hinder my gameplay experience.
This is of course just my opinion. There are other people who will dislike instinct for the exact reason I like it. They believe that those obstacles enhance their gameplay experience. They enjoy having to overcome them. I wonât say they theyâre wrong and Iâm right because it is just simply what they enjoy more.
Ultimately instinct was added to enhance the playerâs gameplay experience. If you feel like it does, you should keep it on. Otherwise turn it off. You obviously wonât know whether you like it or not until you play so for the first time you play it, I would recommend you play with it on simply because itâs the default option. The fact that itâs the default option tells me that IOI intended for the game to be experienced with instinct on. The levels are built with the assumption that you have instinct. Not to say they are unplayable without instinct. That is most certainly not the case. Just keep that in the back of your mind when making your decision.
@@whatthefuck9703 i am also going to buy hitman 2016 soon didnt play any hitman games before and then hitman 2 but I would say you should beat the game with it on first time or couple more times and as you get knowlage of the maps try to do a no hiud and that x ray vision to fell like real life. Well thats how I will do it when I get hitman 2016 and than hitman 2
Jovan VukosavljeviÄ im at episode 2 now ive completed all the tutorial and paris challenges and escalations and im halfway to finishing sapienza , all i can say is this game is really hard without any knowledge of the map so i always just mess around and explore before i do any assassinations ; having instinct and opportunities off is so impossible if youâre a new player so i always keep them on , overall im loving the game but i hate that you canât do the elusive targets mission anymore that is stupid they should bring them back for new players cause the rewards is the og suits its a shame you canât use it if youâre a new player
But hereâs what i love about this game ,the creative kills are so satisfying and fun, maps are so huge and dense unlike absolution's linear map cause its more story based rather than a sandbox killing playground like the old hitman games i still love absolution tho it doesnât deserve all the hate it gets
5:27 that's so horrible. But so awesome it's possible.
Horrible ? Try 3:09, you can dispose of a body (alive or dead) in a shredder. Or find the acid containers in the lab.
You think that's horrible? You can exploit Silvio's loss of his mother and make him go hysterical and almost lose his mind.
And now you can feed a drug cartel leader to his own pet hippo or just stab him while you're giving him a tattoo
@@user-hx6gs9rq7u :|
I forgot about this game. I should give it a shot.
@@rowan8756 Hmm...
Might be a good point to check it out.
This reminds me of Majora's Mask, but there you're trying to help people and it all happens in one play of the game. Which is actually really impressive: you play Majora's Mask Clock Town many times in one play through. I love progression of the player.
Man, I gotta check Majora's Mask...
Any hints? Favourite lets-player maybe?
MajkaSrajka late, but a guy called chuggaaconroy did a pretty gpod 100% lp of it
this was like evil Source Code
Good one. More people should know that movie.
Well at least the people you're killing in this mission are bad guys. In fact, its implied a lot in the series that the government sometimes hires you to take out bad guys that are outside their legal jurisdiction.
GastNdorf There have been decent'ish people you've killed. Usually they're just in a bad situation bu they're not monsters. The amusement park guy and the witness against the mob boss in Hitman: Blood Money both immediately come to mind. Thats not to mention when you're contracted by bad guys. For example, again, in Blood Money, the river steamer mission and the wedding mission you're contracted by the bride to kill her father, her newly married husband and his father so that she inherits the mob business.
Heh they all been involved with gangs or drug deals at some point, enough for me to have justice served. :p
This reminded a lot of Majora's Mask's time travel system in which you have to discover peoples movements during the 3 day cycle in order to progress.
I feel that. Good point
Bah, I said the same thing, but you said it first and I didn't notice. It clearly has that vibe!
Which is actually why I liked Blood Money more. People had schedules that they adhered to, whether agent 47 was following them or not. Things would happen with or without you, but the things that happened were typically on a loop, that way if you missed it the first time, you could be prepared for trying a second attempt.
Beautiful perspective for a beautiful game. Glad to see they've made this game into what it's meant to be.
Very good video. Hitman basically took Thief 1 and especially 2 formula and perfected it over the years (with several levels from 1 and 2, and most of the Absolution being a rather unfortunate misstep) into what they're doing now and what EXPANDS and not only perfects the original Thief 2-based stealth idea - previous Hitman games often felt more like they had some "objectively correct solutions", a slightly more "puzzle with one solution" kind of approach. New Hitman seems to be going in a way, where you can solve the level in a huge variety of both serious and silly ways and all of them are fun.
I feel like IO perfected the formula and fully embraced the more speedrun/challengerun mentality with the new Hitman. Very refreshing, given how "one playthrough with lots of padding to make the game longer" is the approach most games take nowadays, sadly.
How can you compare thief to hitman
Klarden That's all we need to remember Absolution as.
An unfortunate misstep.
Ć€3ĆĆĂ Ć 0VĂ - Don't worry, he's not talking about the shitty reboot.
Ć€3ĆĆĂ Ć 0VĂ -
This is so unclear it annoys me.
The original run of Thief was phenomenal and is clearly the basis for all stealth games; that and maybe the surprisingly amazing Riddick game (only successful movie->game transition Iâm aware of, though itâs more action-stealth).
The new Thief is still a lot of fun, but specifically letting you upgrade your blackjack directs you away from intelligently progressing and makes combat more viable, which the early games obviously abhorred and made basically impossible.
The newer Hitman games-while yes you just shoot people-do reward that sneaking puzzle element.
Are their stories or aesthetics at all similar? No. But theyâre both stealth games and itâs clear Hitman is doing well because of the influence of Thief, even if most people havenât played it.
But the element of dropping you with no knowledge into a world with a direct goal, forcing you to be unheard/unseen and saying âfigure it out, dumbassâ is the obvious comparison.
Hey! Just want to say I'm glad to see these coming out so fast now! I'm always excited to see what's new!
so rather than repetition, perhaps levels of replayability is more fitting?
Trevor Ka'aihue The levels are exactly the same each time.
Mr Ojo64 yes, but how you play them differs. I think he more means levels as in tiers
Man, I've killed those targets in Hitman and Hitman 2 so many times^^
Everytime in a different way, for another challenge, sometimes I just shot them in the Head and ran, because I've done other challenges and wanted to just finish the mission ;P
I know, right? Now, if you've completed the challenge, it's all that matters, you can load back to a previous point to do a very similar challenge (VERY useful for all the poison/drown kills, in which you just change your lethal poison to rat poison).
I remember how disappointed I was with Hitman after I beat it. Like thatâs it? Then I started replaying it and doing escalations and contracts and I can officially say I have more hours in this over the past 4 years then all my other games combined.
This Hitman trilogy is one of those series of games that I absolutely will not delete from my SSD to make room for something. I'll randomly get the urge to dive in for hours and I want to have the game ready to go at a moment's notice, and it's insane that everything from all 3 games can be accessed from Hitman 3 and it's only 70gb on my PS5. It's great being able to go from playing Sapienza from H1 and then go straight over to Dartmoor (H3) without having to actually switch from Hitman 1 to Hitman 3.
@@apictureoffunctionI have never been a speed run person but once you master this game you get addicted to that too. I also love grabbing a machine gun and just running through each level killing everyone. Something a beginner would killed immediately for trying to do. But you have to master this game before you can even do that. The more you master this game the more ways you can actually play it. This game never ceases to amaze me.
This is exactly what makes Hitman (2016) so great, and why it's episodic release is so appropriate. With each episode, I feel encouraged to try out everything, over and over, and it's still so much fun.
"This slick, silent assassination felt fantastic" :') that's what my uncle used to say
1:37 Mark_brown.exe has stoped responding
Great episode. It hurts me when people disclose these types of games as short and overpriced. I remember arguing the same for MGSV:Ground Zeroes and no matter how much I tried to explain, they just didn't get it. In a landscape where people are surrounded by 10 games at all times, the idea of 'replaying' one over and over is laughable, and yet a good game can easily get you to do this.
I would say that ground zeroes is definitely worth around $20. The replayability in that game was insane. People can never imagine a rockstar game with a map that small since the mechanics weren't designed around it.
Krabbymcnabby This. Right here. Perfect.
There's a game called Westerado: Double Barreled, it's an extremely short game, took me maybe an hour to complete, but I replayed it about 20 times since then, trying new things to do, and missions I missed.
Well, this is actually my problem. I can't afford replaying a game over an over again when that's a lot of other games on my list waiting to be played.
I think the only exception was Skyrim and multiplayer games, where I play more casually.
Absolutely beautiful editing, really enjoyed the map part!
Being a long time fan, I have to say that this is one of your better episodes. Distilled, focused and informative, itÂŽs always a pleasure to watch your episodes :)
Fantastic video. Really, really informative and intelligently explained. Keep up the brilliant work!!
That was such a better intro and tone to this video, Thank you!
This video never gets old; been going through the silent assassin suit only challenges in Hitman 3 and the repetition is still such a core fun gameplay loop!
Hands down, this is the best channel related to game design. In depth topics with actual content to back up the theses.
Great analysis! I'm playing Hitman for the first time now, and it's definitely that 'Groundhog Day' aspect of the series that keeps me engrossed. With each level, you really are learning every aspect of an entire little 'world' throughout one extended 'day' or moment in time - and that knowledge does end up making you a kind of minor 'god'...just like Groundhog Day!
Great vid. Perfectly captured how i felt about this game after purchasing it seeing the trailer for sapienza. One thing i love aswell which further adds to the feeling like an assassin is the ability to turn off the hints and such to have a completely immersive experience. I think the new theif, although not it's not the best, introduced this.
Excellent video! You've done a great job of selling me on this new Hitman game. I'll definitely be picking it up when the disc version is inevitably released later this year.
Awesome video, awesome content, editing, everything. Props to you!
I love your videos, they really open my eyes to things in gaming that I've never noticed before
Heads-up: this mission is available for free right now on all platforms as part of a spring promotion.
Fantastic video. Very well presented and articulated as always. (I know I'm late to this entire series, but it's a joy to binge watch on lunch breaks.)
I get so excited when I see a new video come up...I swear I just want to play every game that shows up on this series!
Subscribed right away, the quality of the video is remarkable. Thank you!
Love these so much, thanks yet again!
This was the first GMTK video I ever saw, I'm incredibly nostalgic for this video as well as both this music and this Hitman map as a result.
When you first start the mission, you do a tourist tour of all the possibilities, then you plan ahead, you restart it and you perform the plan.
When you fail you restart and modify the plan.
When you advance enough, you use one of your saves until you complete the mission
I love your channel
I normally get bored with games that expect me to repeat the same mission. It sounds like Hitman at least has a good way to make you want to repeat a mission. But for example something like Uncharted, where they'll just throw in a random QTE in cutscene that kills you if you miss it. It just pulls me right out of the game because I think "well my character wouldn't have done that".
i just noticed how things like you killing people in the game and cutting to another scene is coordinated with the music. great editing
Great video! I haven't gotten the chance to play Hitman yet but you summed up everything I liked about the game whenever I watch other CZcamsrs play it.
Designing and developing a game right now, and this channel has been a tremendous help.
Amazingly edited video, good job
E-expired spaghetti kills?
Hitman was nervous, but on the surface he looked calm and ready.
He doesn't die from eating it, he runs behind the mansion near a cliff so he can vomit. You can eaither kick him off the cliff, but his body will be seen by civilians on the beach below. Or you can slash his throat, strangle him, or shoot him, and hide his body in a garbage container nearby.
To drop golf bombs, but he keeps on forgetting...
That's hitman for you.
ted the commenter
If civilians see his body...letâs say it will get spotted but it also wonât get spotted, they will see the body and panic but since itâs an accident then they wonât be THAT suspicious
Great Video! I played one of the older Hitman games and loved it! Definitely gonna buy the Hitman version featured in this video :))
Love your videos, keep up the good work! đ
This design method actually reminds me of Gerudo Fortress in Zelda:OoT. Getting captured isn't quite a fail-state (as defined by the rest of the game) instead it makes you feel clever by escaping and trying again until you achieve the perfect stealth run.
fantastic video as always, and I will keep posting that on every new video.
I am absolutely having a blast with this in Hitman. All the experimentation. So many options. Like I didn't know that Francesca smoked, or certain ways to get into the mansion. Versus discovering VHS tapes and great sniper vantage points. It's a very different type of sandbox but it's great and creative as hell.
You talked about the most important feature on Hitman games, and I forgot that's the reason why you repeat until you get a perfect assassination, great video.
I enjoyed the way you explained this game's practice makes perfect model.
Hey, Mark, you're my new favorite channel on youtube! Great insights and masterful editing! I would like to see a video about boss fighting in action games. I know it's an extensive topic, but lately I've been playing Dead Rising 2 and they just feel so unfair. I'm not new to videogames and I just came from a Dark Souls 3. Which makes me wonder if the fault is mine or the game. Either way, I will definetly check that new hitman series as soon as I have cash, it looks incredible.
Canât believe how long ago this came out it feels like 1 - 2 years not 5 I was still a kid when hitman came out and now Iâm not a kid but dang it was fun
Great video as always !
Awesome explanation of the concept.
hearing about things you do in this game can be hilarious and terrifying at the same time. What a state of human culture huh
Never thought of this concept. Cool!
Excellent video. You made many of the same observations that I did about this fantastic game. I'd love to make a video series like this one day...(or, produce such a good video game that someone makes a video like this about my own game one day.)
I'm pretty great.
Looking forward for Yandere simulator
Youâd love, but you definitely will not.
@@johnnycake2057 Well that was just unnecessary.
Let's hope that you can make Yandere Sim good enough to be in GMTK. I have faith in you.
Gosh, how i freaking love this video!!!!! It's useful for any facet of life not only gaming, and i've lost count of how many times i watched. This kind universal content is my favorite (Core a Gaming also does something similar).
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for this.
Great video Mark!
Amazing vid just subbed
Great video! The structure of this game (and how it incentivizes exploration of its missions, both geographically and mechanically) and how it's actually HELPED by the episodic release schedule has me very intrigued by this game, despite not being very interested in Hitman since the first few games. I just wanted to add that Dead Rising was another game that had a very cool structure built around repetition; there's pretty much NO WAY you'll complete the story on your first attempt, since doing so requires building up both your knowledge and your character's skills. But redoing the game multiple times (and screwing up in different ways) and spending time exploring the mall and the wealth of weird and funny mechanics is what'll enable you to eventually make your way through the game. Sadly this element seems to have been toned down if not completely removed from the sequels.
This video really describes the appeal of stealth in general: Stealth games, at their best, are simulating the sense of 'outsmarting' some intelligent opponent. Not outshooting or outmaneuvering, outsmarting.....which is pretty hard to do when you consider that AI opponents are dumber than a box of nails even in the most sophisticated systems. However, hitman has always been able to match its dopey AI with intricate map design, a sense of humor, and massive number of things for the player to discover, and the difficulty has always been pretty unreal at the top levels. The end result is exactly as you say: Repeat encounters in order to learn, enjoy faffing about, and then come back for your 'expert' run.
Well worded. I know people who reset the outposts in Far Cry 4 for a silent take down, or completing Dishonored with certain conditions.
This video helped me look at the game in a new light.
Literally every game is different yet the same I love it
3:55 "Or just walking into he front door."
How about- *Running past the guards in the front, killing the doctor getting a disguse to kill the guards in the hallway take their guns and outfits to gun down every enemy who tries to kill you?*
...is not a Hitman experience.
I got the joke no R/slash whoos, please.
Thats what I always end up doing after half an hour of playing like a silent assassin. I love my rating of being a psychopath. đđ
@@Ender11037 R\WOSH
@@AifakhYormum Except, wosh is a cult.
A way to have fun in your mind in the Hitman games think of reloading saves as the character thinking and considering every possible outcome to figure out the best way to do things
This is what I love about the hitman games! Different ways to do the same mission!!
In Hitman Observance and Planning is the Key.. Never Rush to Kill.. Observe.. Identify the weak spots.. Spots to kill targets unnoticed.. It takes Hell lot of time.. but that is the essence of being a Mastermind in Hitman.. Hitman isn't made to Finish.. it's made to Master the Art of Stealth.
Thank you for your channel! Your videos have evoked interest in me towards some games that I somewhat smugly thought to be redundant - or at least derivative. (Hitman 13254 and the new Doom, to name a few.)
To take this video's topic into consideration: I'd like to hear your insights on GRINDING, especially in RPGs! It's an aspect in games I'm not too fond of, and would like to get educated in an interesting use of grinding (is there any!?).
Awesome video thank you very much
More and more the segmented release format of Hitman is working out for IO and Squeenix.
This reminds me of the Sonic games with the boost gameplay (Unleashed, Colors, and Generations). You can get through a level on your first try, but in order to see all the paths and/or do really well and feel like a speed demon, you need to practice
Hitman is the best game to smoke a joint and play.
When the game design is sooo good that you forget you're talking about it. Thanks man for this video!
I've only ever played the first game, but I totally agree with the premise here. The original forced me to replay some missions I did horribly in to re-earn my silenced pistol, and in doing so I felt really smart and it was extremely fun to do pull the hard ones off perfectly.
If you press 4 you can get mark to start saying "and again" over and over, which is great cause he says it four times during that repetition sequence
I have been playing Paris for over a week and i still find new things with the escalation mode... next up, Sapienza, and after that, another 4 locations.
This game is awesome! It make you feel smart and creative even though the developers have likely thought of most of the possible take-downs. Challenges give you ideas of how you can approach the mission and it seems like there is lots of flexibility with the different difficulty options/settings etc. Can't wait to play through the whole series.
This game is probably the strongest entry in the Hitman franchise. Not only does repeating a level help the player beat that level in unique ways, it also prepares them for future levels - they then know how to think about the environment and how to pursue opportunities.
Wow, this whole video was on one mission. I need to play it
Makes me wanna play it even more!
Great video!
Giiirrlllll the music at 3:56 is nicee
thanks for the video was really great
You know, this is indeed how I felt playing Blood Money. The more I played a level, the more opportunities I saw to make every target kill look like an accident. I never realized how the trial and error design did, in fact, make me feel like Agent 47. Cool.
I had never quite warmed up to the series - and I still prefer my stealth strategy games with all puzzle pieces on the table, like Mark of the Ninja or Desperados do - but this video nicely describes my two last evenings with this game. I think it finally clicked :)
Iâm absolutely terrible at combat systems in games (canât remember and coordinate button commands at all) but Iâve always wanted to try something like this. Maybe Iâll give it a go now...!
I really love this game.
Instinct is what we need in most games like Assassinâs Creed and Far Cry
This channel is my hero!
Receiver's (the FPS roguelike) core idea is repetition, and every mechanic works on that axis; having to master the obtuse controls and pick up the same tapes over and over to ''transcend human limitations''
I think ranking system are a crucial part of this repetition system. Character action games (like most of Platinum stuff) use these to rank player mastery of game mechanics, rather than learning of the levels themselves (and old arcade games used score/leaderboards for the same purpose) - but getting optimal ranks is very important thing in these games.
Best think about hitman games is you can purely get ideas by listening to conversations, every conversation is important.
This sort of thing happens in Bayonetta, I feel, as well. Your first run is going to be clumsy and terrible, your score will be terrible, but you'll probably still have fun with it because the combat's really satisfying... even if you're button mashing. The game itself is probably only 5 or 6 hours long, too. If you finished the game and had a good time, the game gives you an overview of all the trophies you'd earned and unlocks Hard Mode, so you have a few options. If you feel so inclined, you can go for improving those trophies. That will demand of you a strong knowledge of the combo mechanics, dodge offset, and which weapon is best for each situation. Additionally, there are plenty of places to explore in each level for unlocking new weapons and toys, or getting just a little bit closer to the elusive maxed out health bar, if you're into the Zelda-style health upgrade thing. As you repeat stages, you'll get more money to buy more accessories, which give you access to very powerful situational moves that can help you improve your ranks more. If you're among the most ambitious, you may even discover there's a rank you can get in individual fights referred to as Pure Platinum, for doing absolutely perfectly... and you may wonder how you can get a Pure Platinum trophy. You'll discover secret fights along the way, master them, and get to the point where, eventually, you can dodge and weave through a complex sequence of enemy attacks while comboing like a pro.
I think the way the game grades you is probably the strongest encourager, too. You need to take no damage, while keeping up the pressure on the enemies. If you waste a lot of time, or let your combo break, you won't be able to get a pure platinum medal... however, if you keep up the pressure competently without getting hit, you can get a pure platinum medal every single time. It's not too harsh, you're given a lot of room for creativity. I'd be interested in knowing your perspective on how platinum games encourage mastery to turn you into a master action hero.
Yeah, it feels like that's Platinum's MO (as seen in Mark's video on Vanquish). Mega Man and other games do similar things: short and challenging giving you the chance to play again and again until you can do it perfectly. Bayonetta seems to get this just right with the rank/score mechanic you talked about. I guess that's an important wrinkle to make it all feel right to the player and keep them coming back.
pmac139 The rank mechanics and the fact that, in principle, the combat is so simple is what really gets me into their games usually.
+LaughingThesaurus So the simple to learn, hard to master type thing? I'm usually into games like that too.
pmac139 Yeah, it definitely has layers of depth but, your basic response to an attacking enemy is probably going to just be the dodge button. If you want good score, all you really have to do is remember to do a wicked weave every 6 attacks or so.
There are tons of hidden mechanics and little nuances to all of this, and a lot of combos to play with that all serve different purposes. They throw in the ability to switch between two weapon sets mid-combo, and dodge offset to cancel attacks and dodge simultaneously while continuing your combo from another location...
Dammit! ...Now I gotta play this.
Oh, so the repetition is the Hitman version of "Casing" a target. It's his internal planning stage as he gathers information, processes that information, and plans accordingly. So every play through before your Silent Assassin (canon?) run would be him planning the kills out in his head; constantly thinking and rethinking every detail with obsessive precision and getting better results with every iteration.
You're actually talking about replayability here, not repetition. Repetition would be if you did the same kill the same way every time, here you're doing the same kill in different ways.
It is repetition because your best score is not a result of a unique playthrough, but applying what already worked for you in the past.