Being a master assassin in Hitman 2 is a lot of hard work, so you are going to need all the help you can get to make your way to the top of the food chain. In this Hitman 2 guide, we have some essential tips and tricks that you can follow if you are a beginner to the series.

Perceive patterns

When you are first dropped into a level, do not immediately head for the target and instead look for the guards and study their patrol patterns. Once you have that down to pat, study your objectives too. Just like how we are defined by our habits, the same goes for the AI. They will always be taking a pre-determined path every time, so look for opportunities in which you can exploit, for example an instance when they are alone and taking a break.

Cool story bro

Sometimes just observing the schedules of your target isn’t sufficient, so you will have to open up opportunities by yourself. As you walk around the level, you will have the chance to take on Mission Stories, where you are required to fulfill specific tasks and objectives. Doing them in turn allows you access to either location and kill opportunities that you would normally otherwise not be available.

Tools of the trade

Every object in the world can be used to your advantage. There is no limit as to how many objects you can carry on you, so be sure to pick up everything you see. For example, you may need a screwdriver to tamper with a powerbox to cut off the electric supply. Poison is also an effective tool to dispatch your target and some levels make them available to you as long you find them.

Excess baggage

While not always the best solution, most missions let you use sniper rifles to dispatch the target, but carrying them around may be an issue. The briefcase makes its return, and as you would come to expect, you will be able to hide your gun in them without raising suspicion. It is also possible to use it as a melee weapon, to comical results.

Suit up

While it is very possible to complete your objectives in your default outfit, this is something reserved only for the best assassins. If you are reading this, you are probably not quite there just yet. The best disguises are usually the ones that make sense. For example, taking a bodyguard’s outfit will let you explore most of the map in peace, but be on the watch out as some NPCs will be able to see through your disguise. They usually are someone of a higher rank or colleagues, so avoid these people at all cost.

Crowd control

The ability to blend into crowds is a new feature to this game, so be sure to make the most of it. If you have somehow caught the attention of an NPC, it is possible to lose them by concealing yourself by blending in large groups of people. Your pursuer will most often time give up looking for you once you do so, unless you are already being chased down.

Say Cheese

Even if nobody else notices, a security camera does not discriminate. Being recorded by one usually does nothing other than lower your score at the end of the missions, but if you are spotted doing something illegal, the alarms will go off. As such, whenever possible, take security cameras out. The best way to do so is using a silenced weapon such as your default pistol. If you do manage to find yourself being recorded, be sure to find the central security room to erase the evidence.

These are the basic tips that should get you along, but if you have any to share, kindly do so in the comments below.