Shanghai
Neon lights and heavy rain mask the assassin's path through Shanghai's criminal underworld.
Shanghai serves as the atmospheric prologue to Hitman: Absolution, plunging the player into a rain-slicked metropolis of neon and shadow. Located along the historic Bund waterfront, this mission establishes the darker, more narrative-driven tone of the fourth main installment. It is here that Agent 47 begins his hunt for answers regarding his origins, navigating a criminal underworld controlled by powerful syndicates.
- Game Title
- Hitman: Absolution
- Target Name
- Zhi Meng Liang
- Location Specifics
- The Bund Waterfront
- Weather Condition
- Heavy Rain
- Mission Type
- Opening Chapter
Lore & Background
The mission takes place during a period when 47 is actively seeking information about his past, specifically regarding his sister. The Triads in Shanghai hold crucial data or connections that could lead him to Dakota Island. This location highlights the global reach of the organizations that created 47 and the enemies he must dismantle.
In Their Own Story
Rain lashes against the glass skyscrapers, blurring the neon signs into streaks of crimson and gold. Perched on a construction crane high above the Bund, 47 watches the target below. The city breathes chaos, but his breathing remains steady. A single drop rolls down his temple, indistinguishable from the storm. He adjusts his grip on the silenced pistol, knowing one mistake could shatter the silence forever.
Reader's Guide
This mission is set along the iconic Bund promenade and adjacent construction zones overlooking the Huangpu River. Players navigate rooftops connected by zip-lines and crane walkways, offering vertical gameplay distinct from later sandbox levels in the series. Key landmarks include a fortified triad headquarters, a busy riverside market filled with civilians, and unfinished high-rises providing sniper vantage points over the water. Heavy rain obscures vision but masks sound, altering stealth dynamics significantly for the assassin. The layout is somewhat linear compared to open-world entries, guiding 47 toward specific objectives while allowing for creative elimination routes through service corridors. Disguises such as construction workers or triad enforcers grant access to restricted areas where guards patrol heavily. Environmental hazards include patrolling guards with attack dogs and security cameras monitoring the waterfront perimeter constantly. The level design emphasizes verticality, requiring careful planning when moving between high ground and street level without triggering alarms during this introductory chapter of the saga.
Did You Know?
- The heavy rain affects sound propagation, making stealth easier in some areas.
- This is the first playable mission of Hitman: Absolution.
- Players can utilize construction cranes for high-ground sniping.
- The target is a leader within a powerful Chinese Triad organization.
Elsewhere in the Hitman universe
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