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Hitman Absolution Benchmarked

Stealth reincarnation. The time-honored Hitman series boldly leaps into the year 2012. The developer IO Interactive stays true to its principles, presenting with Absolution a classic clandestine adventure that holds to its roots. We fought through the first level and investigated how hardware-hungry the game is.
Hitman: Absolution

For the original German review, see here.

If you take a look at Square Enix you'll see the financial crisis hasn't hurt every publisher. The company, previously primarily active in Asia, took over its limping competitor Eidos Interactive in 2009. In the process it gained big labels like Tomb RaiderDeus Ex, Thief and Hitman.

After the Hitman developer IO Interactive hazarded an excursion into the action genre with the Kane & Lynch game and its sequel in 2007 and 2010, the Danes are once again concentrating on their real strength: stealth. Strictly speaking Hitman isn't 100% stealth. While Thief and Splinter Cell primarily entail light-and-shadow play, the Hitman series involves considerably more variation, surpassing what normally comes under the term "stealth". Thus in Absolution we not only skillfully use our environment, but the power of illusion serves us as well. Guises play an essential role here.

May I introduce: 47, Agent 47.
May I introduce: 47, Agent 47.
The hitman must kill his former employer...
The hitman must kill his former employer...
...which carries unforeseen consequences.
...which carries unforeseen consequences.

Description

We deem the introduction to the new Hitman narrative a complete success. As Absolution starts off, the main character (a genetically enhanced clone) must eliminate his old employer, Diana. Why? Well, supposedly the woman compromised the company's own network and had all the agents busted. The bald man in a suit accepts the proposition, and makes his way over to Diana's safe-house. Only seconds into the game we have to smile to ourselves: instead of driving up in a dark limousine (or something of that nature), Hitman shows up in a brightly-colored ice cream truck (see image).

Absolution uses the first mission as an extensive tutorial. In the garden of the sophisticated property, not only do we learn the general controls, but we are also acquainted with some of the finer points. Among the most vital is the new covering system. With a click of the space bar Agent 47 huddles himself against numerous objects, like bushes, walls or crates. Great: if two objects are directly next to each other, you can use a key to switch your covering at lightning speed.

We come in peace! Or not?
We come in peace! Or not?
A good covering is the A and O.
A good covering is the A and O.
Of course bodies can be transported.
Of course bodies can be transported.
You can take an opponent as a human shield.
You can take an opponent as a human shield.
The rich detail is phenomenal.
The rich detail is phenomenal.
Now don't get caught.
Now don't get caught.

If you don't feel like sneaking around, you can also shoot your way through the compact levels with your gun drawn - but the real fun in Absolution can only be experienced if you operate in hiding and meticulously analyzing your surroundings. IO Interactive gives the gamer all sorts of options to have on hand.

Example: crouched, we approach a guard and eliminate him with the famous piano string. So that his patrolling associates don't suspect anything, we seize the body on the spot and drag it out of reach. As soon as we feel we're unobserved, we make Agent 47 switch out his clothing. As an "imitation guard" we can move much more freely and observe our opponents at close range. But be careful: opponents wearing the same outfit will see through our masquerade sooner or later, so we ought not to dance forever in front of the guards' noses. The danger of being recognized varies based on the level of difficulty.

Pros can ignore the visual assistance.
Pros can ignore the visual assistance.
It's easier to play with disguises.
It's easier to play with disguises.
There are many ways to dispose of bodies.
There are many ways to dispose of bodies.
Absolution offers a variety of diversionary tactics.
Absolution offers a variety of diversionary tactics.
Who'd a thunk? The Hitman is even free of vertigo.
Who'd a thunk? The Hitman is even free of vertigo.
That was probably the last day of work.
That was probably the last day of work.

On the topic of variety: the level of difficulty also influences other factors, like the number of opponents, the save-system (the game saves at points spread throughout the level) and the instinct mode. Wait a moment, what exactly is this so-called "instinct mode"? Well, it's a visual assistant that marks interesting objects, highlights opponents and their routes (even through walls) and better protects our cover. On the lowest level the instinct practically guides you through the whole thing. Whether the mode should be considered "cheating" is something each player can decide for themselves. We personally find it very useful.

Agent 47 of course also manages without artificial improvements. As our screenshots show, you can distract opponents, poison them, stow them away in boxes or closets, pull them out of windows and throw them over railings. Happy "accidents" cause the gamer-heart to leap especially high.

Annoying: we can only save at predetermined points.
Annoying: we can only save at predetermined points.
Of course the Agent wants to operate in secret.
Of course the Agent wants to operate in secret.
In some zones you should wear specific clothing.
In some zones you should wear specific clothing.
Our favorite activity: creative clean up.
Our favorite activity: creative clean up.
The little duck near the bath is an homage to the predecessors.
The little duck near the bath is an homage to the predecessors.
Nice idea: Absolution compares its own performance with the competition.
Nice idea: Absolution compares its own performance with the competition.

It's a shame that IO Interactive overloaded the controls a little bit. For the actions "take", "carry" and "use" there are three different keys. In this author's opinion, there's room for improvement here. In general Absolution is controlled rather slowly, which is actually desired. In comparison to Corvo from Dishonored, Agent 47 acts like a lame duck. The game-tempo is more like that of Splinter Cell and Thief. Further criticism: the visibility indicators are rather poor. The attentiveness of adversaries is sometimes difficult to assess.

However, it is impossible to find fault with the sound. The professional speakers and the awesome music bring us deep into the world and the story. In combination with the affectionately designed areas, we find ourselves in an almost unsurpassable atmosphere of suspense. Anyone who moves forward in the missions quietly and thoughtfully will be rewarded at the end of the assignment with good statistics. Thanks to the many secrets, achievements and activatable extras, Absolution offers enormous replay value.

The poor cook makes us feel sorry for him.
The poor cook makes us feel sorry for him.
First we poison him and hide his fancy hat...
First we poison him and hide his fancy hat...
...then he's deposited in the cupboard.
...then he's deposited in the cupboard.
Breaking into locks is part of our standard repertoire.
Breaking into locks is part of our standard repertoire.
A special mode marks enemies...
A special mode marks enemies...
...which upon being shot sail spectacularly through the area.
...which upon being shot sail spectacularly through the area.

Benchmark

We have to give IO Interactive high praise for the integrated benchmark. The sequence, lasting about a minute, shows a lively party under a wide-open sky with tons of fireworks and passers-by. Due to the large number of people emerging from every direction, the passage turns out to demand a fair amount of processing power. Depending on the level and the environment, the performance in a one-player game can be sometimes better, sometimes worse. Since we're talking about a pretty slow-moving third-person game, about 25 fps on average will do.

Settings

The Glacier 2 engine, developed by IO Interactive itself, provides exceptional picture-quality. That kind of sharp texture and high-class effects is hard to come by. In particular, the lighting (which can admittedly be a little exaggerated) leaves Agent 47 paused in wonder. In our opinion the visuals are even beyond the level of Max Payne 3. Or put another way: Absolution is one of the most beautiful titles of the year. As one would expect, the graphic opulence is accompanied by above-average hardware demands.

Lowest Preset
Lowest Preset
Medium Preset
Medium Preset
High Preset
High Preset
Ultra Preset
Ultra Preset

IO Interactive put a lot of work into the setting options. That means that among other things, we can control the resolution, the refresh rate, the display mode and (on compatible systems) the 3D display. Most of the options can be found under the "Quality" tab. The developer filled a whole 11 option selections under this category. Anisotropic texture-filtering, tessellation, global illumination and SSAO are only a few of the many features. For anti-aliasing, both MSAA and shader-based FXAA are offered. For our benchmarks we're sticking to the four presets, "Ultra", "High", "Medium" and "Lowest". Excellent: the graphics options can be adjusted both inside and outside the game.

Lowest Preset
Lowest Preset
Medium Preset
Medium Preset
High Preset
High Preset
Ultra Preset
Ultra Preset

Nvidia graphics cards may tend to perform poorly due to the fact that Absolution belongs to AMD's "Gaming Evolved" program. The same phenomenon occurred with Sleeping Dogs, also released in 2012. Nvidia countered with the "the way it's meant to be played" program. Assassin's Creed III is an ideal counterexample.

Contracts make possible the creation of individual assignments.
Contracts make possible the creation of individual assignments.
There are 20 levels in total.
There are 20 levels in total.
True Hitmen only need the piano string.
True Hitmen only need the piano string.
The missions' descriptions are accompanied by music.
The missions' descriptions are accompanied by music.
Absolution keeps track of our activities very precisely.
Absolution keeps track of our activities very precisely.
The extras keep the level of motivation high.
The extras keep the level of motivation high.

Results

Using 1920x1080 pixels, quadruple MSAA anti-aliasing and the "Ultra" preset, most devices have to give up without much ado. Only the Radeon HD 7970M and the GeForce GTX 680M more or less manage these settings on the monitor. To play with high detail, double anti-aliasing and 1366x768 pixels there should be at least a GeForce GT 650M or GTX 660M in the notebook.

Cheaper, all-round notebooks containing a mid-range GPU on the level of the GeForce GT 630M will only be able to manage the middle preset at best. Processor chips like the Radeon HD 7660G or the HD Graphics 4000 already have trouble at the lowest preset and 1024x768 pixels. The old Sandy Bridge model HD Graphics 3000 unfortunately can do naught but surrender. Note: at the lower and middle settings, the CPU is often the limiting factor.

Benchmark Table: Hitman Absolution

Verdict

Those who cherish stealth-gaming should absolutely give Hitman: Absolution a closer look. The hours of puzzling over optimal strategies and plotting the perfect murder make it easy to forget reality. The developers prove that stealth games can be simultaneously modern (graphics) and classic (gameplay). If it had a nicer save-system and crisper controls we would have liked it even better. Even so, we count Absolution one of the highlights of the year.

Does he always have to look so grim?
Does he always have to look so grim?
The killer isn't totally unsympathetic.
The killer isn't totally unsympathetic.
The story is certainly an exciting one.
The story is certainly an exciting one.

Test Systems

Thank you once again to the company Schenker Notebooks (mysn.de), who provided us with our three main platforms:

  • XMG P502 (Core i7-3610QM, GeForce GTX 660M, GTX 670M, GTX 675M(X), GTX 680M & Radeon HD 7970M, 8 GB RAM)
  • XMG A502 (Core i5-3360M, GeForce GT 650M & HD Graphics 4000, 8 GB RAM)
  • Xesia M501 (Core i7-2630QM, GeForce GT 630M & HD Graphics 3000, 8 GB RAM) 

The GPUs below used the following drivers: Nvidia 310.61 Beta, AMD 12.11 Beta 8 & Intel 9.17.10.2875. 

from left to right: Schenker XMG A502, Xesia M501 & XMG P502
from left to right: Schenker XMG A502, Xesia M501 & XMG P502

Overview

Show Restrictions
PosModel< PrevNext >Hitman: Absolution
 Hitman: Absolution (2012)
low
1024x768
Lowest Preset
med.
1366x768
Medium Preset
2xAF
high
1366x768
High Preset
8xAF 2xMSAA
ultra
1920x1080
Ultra Preset
16xAF 4xMSAA
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Mobile
94.3
86.1
77.3
72.6
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Mobile
95.2
88
77.3
69.85n2
AMD Radeon R9 Fury
95
89
80
77
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980
105.4
99.3
89.7
68.3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Ti
96
90
80.1
74
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
105.8
101
88.7
70
AMD Radeon R9 290X
66
60
58.5n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M
90.2n2
90.7n3
80.2n3
54n3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M
106.95n2
102.35n2
85.55n2
40.95n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680
73.2
68.5
62
36.9
AMD Radeon HD 7970
65.2
61.8
56.2
43.9
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile
89.9n2
83.15n2
74.1n2
41.65n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 880M
61.4n2
57n2
49.3n3
38n3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti
67.2
62.9
55.4
27.8
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760
93.7
89.4
74.9
40.7
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M
79.7
75.4
64.7
33.8n3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX
55.4
34.4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M
90.1
84.8
63.3
28.1
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 870M
60.6
56.8
48.6n2
28.45n2
PosModel< PrevNext >Hitman: Absolution
low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon R9 M290X
60
56.3
49.4
37.3
AMD Radeon HD 8970M
54.2
49.3
32.5n2
27.45n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M
71.8
66.1
50.3
24.9n2
AMD Radeon HD 7970M
53.1
49.3
31.1n2
28.8n3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
75.3n3
71.3n3
48.15n4
25.95n4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti
95.4
89.2
57.8
27.1
NVIDIA GeForce MX150
71.3
67.2
45.9
22
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M
78.4
73.2
46.65n2
21.75n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M
61.7n5
56.8n5
48.4n9
24.3n8
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX
72
66.4
41.4
19.3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M
59.6n2
57n2
49.65n2
31.2n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 850M
48.8n5
44.6n5
35.85n6
14.25n6
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 765M
81.5
60.4n3
34.4n4
14.55n4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M
72.7
60.2
40.6
18.4
AMD Radeon HD 7770
64.2
60.4
38.6
14.7
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M SLI
68.4
59.7
35.8
19.1
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670MX
69.2
59.4
30.6n2
12.65n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M
57
53
31
11
AMD Radeon R9 M275
40
36.5
20.7
10.5
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M
73.4
65.8
33.2
14.1
PosModel< PrevNext >Hitman: Absolution
low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon HD 8870M
31.1
27.4
22.7
13
NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M
48.7
29.7
15.4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M
70.1
52.7
27.6
11.5
AMD Radeon HD 8850M
21.4
18.5
AMD Radeon R9 M265X
50.5
45.95n2
30.9n2
14.5n2
AMD Radeon HD 8790M
49
44
25
10
NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M
49.7n4
35.5n4
22.25n4
13n3
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
58.1n4
40.15n4
26.15n4
11.65n4
NVIDIA GeForce 940M
53.7
35.2
15.9
6.3
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M
45.8
40.4
22.9
9.9
NVIDIA GeForce 840M
45.29n3
35.5n3
16.6n3
6.7
NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
59.7
37.9
18.1
AMD Radeon R7 512 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)
44.5
35.9
19.5
8.4
Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200
44.6
34.3
14.4
6.9
AMD Radeon R7 384 Cores (Kaveri Desktop)
43.6n2
35.15n2
18.8n2
8.15n2
NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M
51.8n3
29.8n3
17.2n3
7.3n3
Intel Iris Graphics 550
35.5
26
21.8
13.6
NVIDIA GeForce 830M
38
32
15.2
NVIDIA GeForce GT 735M
40.8
27.7
12.2
NVIDIA GeForce 825M
44.9
28.5
13.3
PosModel< PrevNext >Hitman: Absolution
low med. high ultra
NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M
41.79n3
32n3
17n3
7.2n2
NVIDIA GeForce GT 645M
48.9
33.4
17.4
7.4
AMD Radeon HD 8750M
22.7
20.1
15.7
6
AMD Radeon R7 M270
40.1n2
32.95n2
17.05n2
7.55n2
AMD Radeon R7 M265
28.79n2
24.85n2
18.15n2
7.96
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M
40n3
31.5n3
17n3
7.45n2
AMD Radeon R7 (Kaveri)
19.8
17.5
11.6
NVIDIA GeForce 920M
42.5
28.7
13.6
5.3
AMD Radeon R7 M260
22.2
20.8
12.7
AMD Radeon HD 8670D
39.5
27.2
14.5
6.4
AMD Radeon R6 (Kaveri)
18.58
AMD Radeon HD 8730M
15
14
12
NVIDIA GeForce GT 635M
42.5
26.9
12.7
AMD Radeon HD 8670M
26.27
16.62
11.91
AMD Radeon HD 7660D
39.35n2
29.45n2
13.55n2
6.43n2
AMD Radeon HD 8650G
25.5n3
22n3
10.4n3
5.6
AMD Radeon HD 7670M
15.9
13.6
8.7
NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M
40.9n3
27n3
13.5n3
5.1n2
AMD Radeon HD 7560D
38.5
27.8
12
5.6
AMD Radeon R5 M255
21.85
PosModel< PrevNext >Hitman: Absolution
low med. high ultra
NVIDIA GeForce 820M
38.35n2
25.65n2
11.9
4.9
NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M
31.7
20.7
9.1
AMD Radeon R5 M240
19
16.7
10.2
AMD Radeon HD 8550M
11.1
9.4
8.8
Intel Iris Graphics 5100
29.2
21.4
8.5
4.2
Intel HD Graphics 4600
20.3n2
13.75n2
7.3n2
Intel HD Graphics 5500
18
12.9
6.2
Intel HD Graphics 615
21.9
14
7.6
NVIDIA GeForce 710M
37.9
22.9
AMD Radeon HD 7660G
22.7
20.2
10.6
3.7
Intel HD Graphics 5000
22.3
15.7
7.3
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650
28.3
24.6
10.3
4.6
AMD Radeon HD 8550G
24.8
22.4
11.2
5.2
NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M
35
25.8
14.9
AMD Radeon HD 7610M
38
23
8
4
Intel HD Graphics 4400
18.67n2
13.6
AMD Radeon HD 8610G
16.4
10.7
5.6
AMD Radeon HD 7550M
30.4
18.4
7.3
AMD Radeon HD 7600G
13.9
9
6.9
AMD Radeon HD 7480D
19.8
18
6.8
3.5
PosModel< PrevNext >Hitman: Absolution
low med. high ultra
Intel HD Graphics 4000
18n7
14n7
5.8n6
3n4
AMD Radeon R5 (Beema/Carrizo-L)
16.4
10.2
7.1
3.2
AMD Radeon R4 (Beema)
14
11.2
5.7
3.3
AMD Radeon R3 (Mullins/Beema)
15.6
12.1
5.8
Intel HD Graphics (Broadwell)
15.6
11.4
5.3
Intel HD Graphics 4200
16.7
11.4
3.8
AMD Radeon HD 8450G
10.4
AMD Radeon HD 8400
16.2
AMD Radeon HD 8330
14.8
11.9
5.7
AMD Radeon HD 7420G
12
10
4
Intel HD Graphics (Haswell)
12.3
9.9
AMD Radeon HD 7400G
9
8
AMD Radeon HD 8240
7.4
AMD Radeon HD 8250
9
7.4
4.8
Intel HD Graphics 3000
16
12.4
1.9
AMD Radeon HD 8210
4.95n2
4.1
2.6
Intel HD Graphics 2500
19.25n2
11.15n2
3.8
1.9
Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)
13
11
4
Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)
10.1
6
(-) * Smaller values are better. / n123 Number of benchmarks for this median value / * Approximate position

 

Legend
5Stutters – This game is very likely to stutter and have poor frame rates. Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, average frame rates are expected to fall below 25fps
May Stutter – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game. Based on interpolated information from surrounding graphics cards of similar performance levels, stutters and poor frame rates are expected.
30Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 25fps
40Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 35fps
60Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 58fps
May Run Fluently – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game. Based on interpolated information from surrounding graphics cards of similar performance levels, fluent frame rates are expected.
?Uncertain – This graphics card experienced unexpected performance issues during testing for this game. A slower card may be able to achieve better and more consistent frame rates than this particular GPU running the same benchmark scene.
Uncertain – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game and no reliable interpolation can be made based on the performances of surrounding cards of the same class or family.
The value in the fields displays the average frame rate of all values in the database. Move your cursor over the value to see individual results.
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Florian Glaser, 2012-12-12 (Update: 2021-05-18)