Like the first game in the World of Assassination series, Hitman 2 is a stealth game that is played from a third-person perspective.[2] The player assumes control of Agent 47, an assassin whose targets are scattered across the world. The game has eight missions that are set in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand; Miami, Florida; a village in Colombia; the slums of Mumbai, India; a suburb of Vermont called Whittleton Creek; and a fictional North Atlantic island called Sgàil. The game's downloadable content (DLC) includes new locations; a bank in New York City and a resort in the Maldives.[3] Players can download all of the chapters from Hitman if the player owns it or has bought the content as DLC, which incorporates the gameplay changes added to Hitman 2 and allows Hitman to be played within Hitman 2's improved engine.[4] Each of the game's locations is a sandbox-type environment players can explore. Players must understand the layout of the maps to identify infiltration opportunities.[5]
Gameplay structure and design are largely similar to those of Hitman (2016). Players use variety of firearms and gadgets to eliminate their targets, and can use stealth tactics because Agent 47 is fragile in combat.[6][7] The bodies of dead targets must be hidden to avoid detection.[8] Alternatively, players can explore each location and eavesdrop on conversations to discover "missions stories", which are scripted mission sequences that help Agent 47 identify the location and routine of targets, and uncover unconventional infiltrations or opportunities to kill.[9][10] Kills can be disguised as accidental deaths.[11] Access to some areas of the game is restricted; players must gain access by obtaining a disguise either by incapacitating non-playable characters (NPCs) or by finding it somewhere in the map.[12] Agent 47 can use "Instinct mode" to identify the targets' locations.[13]
As with the previous games in the series, 47 is expected to blend into the environment by conforming to its social norms and rules. Several quality-of-life adjustments were introduced. Artificial intelligence controlling the NPCs will notice Agent 47 through reflections in mirrors.[14] A picture-in-picture mode informs players of events happening in other parts of the level. The instinct mode shows the field-of-view of security cameras.[15] Agent 47's briefcase can be used to smuggle firearms into a location,[16] and he can use foliage to hide from enemies[8] and blend in with crowds.[17] As players complete missions and challenges, they earn experience points (XP) and mastery levels, unlocking new starting locations and items when they replay the level. Non-lethal takedowns, completion of objectives, accidental and unnoticed kills, and efficiency contribute to the players' score and XP earned.[12] Players' performances would then be uploaded to and shared on a leaderboard.[18]
Escalations are missions that include multiple stages. After completing each stage, the player will unlock the next stage which will increase the difficulty by adding additional targets or requirements (such as specific disguises or kill methods). Elusive targets are time-limited assassination missions that can only be attempted once. Contracts mode allows players to assign assassination targets, set requirements for their killings, and share their contracts with other players.[12] In Sniper Assassin mode, players are tasked with eliminating targets from afar using a sniper rifle within 15 minutes. As in the main campaign, the NPC will react to the player's actions and each map has numerous assassination opportunities. This mode can be played solo or with other players, who will assume control of either Stone or Knight, characters who are equipped with concussive shockwave rounds and wall-piercing ammunition, respectively.[19][20] Ghost Mode is a competitive, multiplayer mode in which two players must race against each other to eliminate assassination targets. Players start in the same location with no equipment.[21] The two players cannot directly interact with each other but can see the other player's avatar and will be notified when the other performs certain actions. They also share a target and ghost crates that contain disguises and weapons the players can use. The players who last discovers the crates may be left with inferior gadgets. If a player eliminates the target, the other player will have 20 seconds to eliminate their target in their world. Successful elimination of a target scores one point; the player who receives five points wins the game. Players lose one point if they kill a non-target character.[22]
