Achievement Preview Spotlight: Hitman: Absolution

By Jonathan Barnes,

As we look ahead to next week's hot release, Hitman: Absolution Achievements, I can't help but think of the best advice that nobody ever gave me:

Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets, secrets hurt someone.

That's right, this game is loaded down with Secret Achievements. In fact, twenty of the forty-six achievements are hidden behind the "Secret" firewall and (much like Christina Hendricks) are impervious to our prying eyes. That being said, this week's Achievement Preview Spotlight is going to be a bit more Spartan and straight-forward than our usual forays.

The first achievement is near and dear to my precision-loving heart.

The Russian Hare

47 precision headshots using a sniper rifle

5 guides

I love this achievement for many reasons, first and foremost is the emphasis on headshots, which are always my execution of choice in games. Secondly is the (obvious) reference to Agent 47. In short, this achievement is as comforting as a warm blanket and cool pillow.

The next pop is almost the diametric opposite of the previous one.

It's All in the Wrist

Achieve a lethal throw kill

5 guides

I hope you're ready to channel your inner Lee Christmas.

While a great assassin strikes from the shadows and escapes like the wind, the next achievement is one that you're bound to encounter.

One With the Shadows

Escape attention from enemies

2 guides

If you're anything like me (and who's to say you're not) you'll probably have the best-laid plan go FUBAR pretty quickly and be forced to run and hide more frequently than you'd like. Thusly, this achievement shouldn't be too hard to nail down.

Speaking of good planning, this next achievement is most-likely going to be one you'll get rather early.

Under Wraps

Hide a body

4 guides

When it comes to stealth games like this, there are few things that make me happier than a nice, tidy, out-of-the-way pile of bodies. Then again, I'm pretty anal retentive when it comes to gaming and will generally overload the safest spot I can find with as many bodies as possible.

The final achievement gets the Steve Urkel seal of approval.

Whoops

Achieve your first accident kill

2 guides

I'm curious as to exactly how this one is going to work. Do you have to set a trap? Are you chasing/compelling someone to go into a dangerous scenario? Do you do extensive blood work on your target, find something they're allergic to, and poison them with it? So many options!

While the majority of the achievements for Hitman: Absolution are "Secret", one can pretty easily deduce that they are narrative in nature and will pop as you complete missions and levels. Aside from those, you can expect a few high-value achievements to bump up your score. At a quick glance, the whales of Hitman: Absolution look to be: Reach for the Stars, Grand Master, and Absolution.

All in all, there appears to be a really great diversity of achievements for Hitman: Absolution you've got your collectible achievement, your one for diversity in play style, a few that will reward you for extended MP play, and (most-likely) some mission-specific ones. In short, this game looks to have achievements you'll love, achievements you'll hate, and achievements for which you feel nothing... just like Agent 47.

Hitman: Absolution is set for a release next week.

If there's an upcoming game that you'd like to see featured in the Achievement Preview Spotlight, be sure to let us know in the comments!

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Written by Jonathan Barnes

Jonathan has been a news/views contributor since 2010. When he's not writing reviews, features, and opinion pieces, he spends his days working as an informal science educator and his nights as an international man of mystery.