Working on the last achievement I've got left (Absolution - Play through on Professional). Gotta say I'm glad I did because going for the 100 Challenge achievement was a blast. This game is a LOT more fun when you work towards those challenges instead of focusing straight on the target of a mission. Considering how fun that was in Blood Money, I should have done that from the start. (Tip for new players: Start on Normal. The hints help open up the levels by cluing you into all the different assassination methods)
Didn't enjoy it as much as I did Blood Money but I do have a much better impression of the game overall after doing some challenges. One of my biggest complaints is the new disguise system which feels like it's built around Instinct. Instinct itself isn't really all that bad, it's similar to the map systems of the previous games (although I do think I like the map system more. Being able to see the layout and plan things from there was fun). It's the "blend in" Instinct ability that I dislike.
Disguises in the previous games would grant you access to different parts of the level but you still had to kind of act like whatever role that outfit was for (such as carrying around the same type of weapon that guard was using). IO had a good idea going with the disguise system; it does make sense that guards are still going to be suspicious of you even though you're walking around in a guard outfit. Despite that it comes off as feeling like Instinct is forced down your throat because of how quickly people get suspicious of you despite your disguise. The whole follow you until you Fake Surrender/Hide thing was a nice addition though.
The new additions to weapon customization are great. Would like to see even more in the next game. Weapon sounds are top notch too, ESPECIALLY the sniper rifles. Don't think I've ever had as much fun using a sniper rifle as I have in Absolution. Contracts was also a neat addition to the game. There's some really neat stuff out there that shows you fun ways to play through a level that aren't shown to you by the game itself.
It would be nice to see IO find a balance between Blood Money and Absolution. Blood Money levels were a lot more interesting and felt like there was a lot more creative freedom in how you go on about the mission.
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The absolute biggest complaint I have though is about the music. IO completely dropped the ball here. Fire up Contracts or Blood Money and start on the Silent Assassin path of a mission. Seriously:
LISTEN TO THIS.
AND THIS. You are death given flesh. The world is burning around you and not a single soul has a clue you are the cause of it all. You were never even there.
There is no substitute for Jesper Kyd.
