It seems as though IO Interactive is up to offering savvy 47 players a challenge. Via a developer's post at IO's forums, it's been revealed that Hitman: Absolution's "Purist" mode will be available to players as soon as they pop the game in their drives.
As the full post reads:
"It seems voicing your concern helps from time to time. I've just heard back from the team that purist mode is now designed to be unlocked from the get go. now, unless something critical happens, I feel confident that you can all get your butts handed to you from the first playthrough."
Fightin' words, eh?
Absolution's Purist mode will be something of a handicap for the bald, barcode-clad Agent, removing both 47's "Instinct" feature, and the Heads-Up Display (HUD), making sure gamers will have to rely on their wits, and nothing else. For the uninformed, Hitman's "Instinct" feature lets 47 to predict enemy patrol routes, not unlike the Detective Mode of Batman: Arkham City.
And if that's not enough of a challenge for gamers, there's still Hitman's Contracts Mode, which lets gamers create, customize, and share their own hit challenges. Players who successfully comple contracts will be rewarded in contract dollars. The amount earned depends on player performance. In order to create more elaborate and creative setups, the player can choose from a vast arsenal of weapons, disguises, upgrades, and techniques; all of which can be unlocked by either playing through Absolution's story mode, or by spending those hard-earned contract dollars.
Hitman: Absolution is set for a global release on November 20. It will be available for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.