8Bit/Digi

The Name is Rieper

It has been some time since the World of Assassination trilogy came to a close with the success of Hitman III. While the main story has concluded, that doesn’t mean IO Interactive is done with Agent 47. The game has continued to thrive thanks to Freelancer Mode and the Elusive Target missions. The latest mission pits Agent 47 against one of James Bond’s most iconic villains.

Following the unveiling of 007: First Light, IO Interactive is bringing Le Chiffre to the World of Assassination. Elusive Target: The Banker recreates the core plot of Casino Royale, even going as far as bringing back Mads Mikkelsen to reprise his iconic role.

I Expect You to Die Mr. 47

Elusive Target: The Banker pits Agent 47 against Le Chiffre, a financier who manages the assets of criminal organizations across the globe. After suffering massive losses in a failed investment, Le Chiffre is looking to recover his losses by organizing a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Monarchique. Unfortunately for Le Chiffre, one of his clients has lost patience and has contracted the ICA to eliminate him. The mission is clear: Agent 47 must infiltrate the casino and ensure that Le Chiffre is eliminated—whether by his own hand or someone else’s.

Casino Royale has been reimagined to seamlessly fit within the game’s structure and universe. No, you won’t run into James Bond or Felix Leiter. Instead, Agent 47 can operate solo or team up with Agent Smith—who, for once, isn’t held captive and tortured.

Buying Extra Time

What sets Elusive Target missions apart from the main game is the lack of trial and error—you only get one shot, so failure isn’t an option. The Banker is no exception, taking place in the Palais de Walewska stage, now reimagined as a casino instead of a fashion show venue. While the setting has undergone some minor changes, the layout should still feel familiar to most players.

The Banker is one of those missions where, if executed correctly, players will need to do as little as possible. However, it’s a challenge that will test your patience, stealth, and familiarity with the stage. You will not be the only person gunning for Le Chiffre’s head and if you play your cards right, you will not even need to draw your weapon. The Casino Monarchique is also one of those missions where you are expected to have some fun by hitting the casino floor.  

Mads Mikkelsen’s return as Le Chiffre was essential to elevating the overall experience of the mission. His performance is consistent with the film—he doesn’t reinvent the character, but he doesn’t need to. Instead, he fully commits to bringing Le Chiffre to life within the World of Assassination.

The Chips Are Down

In theory, recreating an iconic Bond moment in Hitman sounds like a brilliant idea. However, the execution falls flat due to a lack of player agency. Elusive Target: The Banker suffers because the mission relies too heavily on scripted events. The card game plays out the same way each time, offering little room for deviation. Anything unique or different is restricted to the most basic methods. This feels like the antithesis of the series, which has always thrived on giving players a plethora of options to eliminate their target, whether through story or personal approach.

This is further reinforced by the fact that only the areas relevant to the mission have been altered. Stray from the expected path, and everything else remains identical to the original Paris mission. At the same time, it feels like other levels would have been better suited for this kind of scenario.

Good Hunting, Agent 47

Hitman: World of Assassination – Elusive Target: The Banker recreates one of the most iconic 007 stories. Mr. 47 is pitted against a target that likes to stack the odds in his favor, unfortunately for them, the house always wins. A fitting way to celebrate the announcement of 007: First Light.

Elusive Target: The Banker is currently available to play for free, with the option of purchasing the DLC pack.

Disclaimer: I bought the base game, via Steam.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that highlights the video game community and industry of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hitman: World of Assassination – Elusive Target: The Banker DLC

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• DLC brings the core plot of Casino Royale to the world of Hitman.
• Mads Mikkelsen’s return as Le Chiffre
• If done right, player has to do very little to ensure the target is taken out.

Cons

• Following the story path denies players the agency that the series is known for.
• Other stages would have been a better location for the mission.