Codename 47 was a technical marvel back in the day. A unique and mind-blowing take on the stealth genre, with ambitious ideas and even more impressive tech at the time. It's a game filled with a lot of promise. But that overwhelming untapped potential becomes a detriment to the game. As a result, the game hasn't aged all too well and revisiting it after later entries is no easy task.
Firstly, compared to later HITMAN entries, Codename 47 is more of a demo or first draft idea than it is a complete game. Many aspects of the game don't feel quite realized or even polished in most cases. It's a very skeletal game that - like mentioned beforehand - is filled with massive potential. But it is hindered by inconsistent presentation and questionable design choices. In other words, the game feels like it lacked the necessary playtesting. As a result, a lot of the game design doesn't work all too well, due to busted AI or odd level and mission design. But these complaints mostly arise if you try to play the game with the series' "Silent Assassin" philosophy that would be pushed in the subsequent games. You cannot play Codename 47 the same way you play its sequels without finding massive inconsistencies. While later games encouraged much more silent play, sometimes you have no choice but to go loud in Codename 47. And this might stem from what the game's original concept was - a third person shooter - before it went in a stealthier direction later on. Because of this, the game feels like it doesn't know what it wants to be in some areas. But if you look past the inconsistencies within gameplay and just go loud when stealth becomes an issue, Codename 47 still offers a mostly great time.
The game's art direction and visuals are also pretty good and subjectively still hold up. The semi-realistic aesthetic of the game results in a slightly cartoonish look with some more realistic aspects. Other than some dated and blurry textures, the environmental design is well done.
The story is not all that important to note, but it does act as a nice introduction to the world of HITMAN and the character of Agent 47. The plot is fairly straightforward and the worldbuilding is interesting. But don't expect a revolutionary story here. Besides, some of the writing and voice performances aren't anything to write home about. Nor is that the intention.
Other parts of the presentation, like the stellar soundtrack and the technical aspects of the game still hold up really well.
Other than the unpolished gameplay and the choppy presentation of certain ideas, HITMAN: Codename 47 is an innovative take on the stealth genre which would spawn an iconic and long running series that would only get better and better with time. It's still a fun time, but it is admittedly an extremely dated game if you've played later entries.
