Part 5

Navigate Hitman: Absolution's game menus, understand Contracts Mode, and choose the right difficulty for your playstyle. Learn about radar, health, and instinct meters.

Alright, let's dive into Part 5 of our Hitman: Absolution guide. This section is all about getting familiar with the game's menus and understanding how difficulty settings can change your experience. Think of it as setting up your loadout before a big mission!

First off, when you boot up the game, you'll see the title screen. From there, you can jump into the main Absolution story or dive into Contracts Mode. We're focusing on the story here, so make sure that's selected.

Game Menus and Options

Once you've chosen Absolution, you'll be presented with a few options:

Continue	This is your go-to for picking up right where you left off in the story. Simple as that!
New Game	Starting fresh? This is the one. It'll kick off the entire campaign from the beginning.
Level Select	Already beaten a level and want to replay it? This lets you jump back into any mission you've previously completed. Handy for redoing tricky parts or going for a better score.
Unlocks	This is where you can check out all the cool stuff you've earned throughout the game. Think new weapons, outfits, or other goodies.
Options	Here's where you can tweak various game settings to your liking. Adjust controls, audio, video – whatever makes your gameplay smoother.
Credits	Want to see who made this awesome game? Head here to view the full credits.
Downloadable Content (PS3 and X360)	If you've got any extra content downloaded, this is where you'll manage it.

Starting a New Game: Difficulty Levels

When you decide to start a new game, one of the first big choices you'll make is the difficulty. Hitman: Absolution offers five levels, split into two main groups: Enhanced and Professional.

Enhanced

This group is perfect for newcomers. It includes: Easy: Your Instinct meter refills on its own (about halfway), there are fewer guards, and they're generally less alert. You won't be able to complete Challenges on this setting, though. Normal: Instinct doesn't auto-regenerate, and you'll face more guards who are a bit more aware.

Professional

This is for players who want a real challenge or are already familiar with Agent 47's world. It includes: Hard & Expert: Expect significantly more guards, who are quicker to spot you and hit harder in combat. Your Instinct meter is also fully depleted when used for scanning, not just for general use. Purist: This is the ultimate test. You'll have almost no on-screen interface – just a crosshair. No radar, no health bar, nothing. It's you against the game.

Pro Tip: Playing on the higher difficulties (Hard, Expert, or Purist) is the only way to unlock the coveted {Absolution} Accomplishment, so if you're a trophy hunter, keep that in mind!

Understanding Your On-Screen HUD

No matter the difficulty, you'll want to get acquainted with the meters at the bottom of your screen. These are crucial for staying alive and informed:

• Radar: This is the big circle on the left. Those little dots? They're people! The direction they're pointing shows where they're looking. You can even track their movements to predict patrol paths. Targets and objectives will have a special marker, and the exit will be shown as a door icon.
• Health: This shows how much damage you can take before… well, before you can't take any more. Keep an eye on it, especially during firefights!
• Weapon: Displays your currently equipped weapon and ammo count. Essential for knowing if you're ready for a fight or need to find a new piece of gear.
• Instinct: This is your special ability. When activated, it highlights enemies, objectives, and important items, and can even slow down time briefly. It's invaluable for planning your moves and avoiding detection.

Knowing these elements will make navigating the game world much easier. Now, let's move on to how you actually interact with the world in Part 6!