My name is Naked (well, it isn't really, but, um, let's just move along...) and I have a confession to make - I really really like the Hitman series. Sure, as a whole, the games are as flawed as all hell - dodgy AI, utterly unpredictable stealth mechanics, weak combat, horifically dated character animation, bugs galore - but for some reason each iteration of the series has held me enthralled from start to finish.

It's probably a combination of the always excellent atmosphere, interesting story and the varied, generally excellent level design - there's always a new way to kill somone, a more efficient way to reach your target and a secret route you hadn't previous.

Anyway, it's understandable that I'd pick up Hitman: Contracts, the latest iteration of the game, with no questions asked. What follows in a precis timeline of my play experience with the game.

Hours one through three, I was enthralled as ever -- after a slightly weird opening level (functinoally, a continuation of the last level of the first game), the level design blossomed into everything I'd hoped for. The environments were huge, open ended, loaded with neat environment specific kills, immersive environmental effects and even the odd joke or two. The English Manor level was particuarly engaging...a future classic.

Then, around hour four, deja vu set in as the inspired level design of the first few missions was supplanted by slightly expanded retreads of missions from the first game. Yep...you read me right. Retreads of missions from Hitman: Codename 47. Um, yay or something.

Then, around hour five, it was over. Over! Done! A pointless cinematic that resolved nothing, some silent credits and Hitman: Contracts was as finished as finished could be -- in less than half the time it took me to play my way through either of the previous installments.

So, what did I get for my hard earned $55? Six great new missions, five retreads and a whole lot of nothing else. Cheers Eidos! You've just burnt a loyal franchise customer. Good job, guys, good job!