Once perceived as a potentially terrible game that was playing up dudebro tones in order to become more accessible, it seems like Hitman: Absolution is finally making some headway amongst fans. So far the reception for the sniper challenge mini-game has been good as has been the buzz of recent previews, which thankfully showcase that the game still retains its classic mix of sandbox gameplay and non-linear gameplay.
The whole female assassin’s dressed as latex nuns debacle may still be casting a small cloud over Hitman: Absolution, but today IO Interactive has done fans a solid by announcing that actor David Bateson will be reprising his role as Agent 47. When Hitman: Absolution was first announced it was revealed that David wasn’t asked to reprise his role as Agent 47,which of course put fans of the series on the warpath to IO Interactive.
It seemed odd that David wouldn’t return and there were worries that a name actor would assume the role of the ever stoic Agent 47 to accompany the cast that includes established actors such as Powers Boothe and Keith Carradine. Thankfully things are back in order as David Bateson has returned to the Hitman series to voice Agent 47 once again.
“IO and Bateson have been bed fellows for over a decade and like all long running relationships sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. Looking back I think we were just playing hard to get,” said Hitman: Absolution Brand Director Jon Brooke. I’ll admit that it seemed odd that Bateson was initially passed over for Absolution, but it’s nice to know that things have worked out and that he’ll once again be lending his vocal chops to one of the most iconic characters in the gaming industry.
While Bateson will only be lending the voice of Agent 47, actor William Mapother (the creepy Dharma dude Ethan Rom on the TV show Lost) provided the mo-cap/performance capture for Agent 47. It’s odd that an established character actor such as Mapother is doing mo-cap work for a character he doesn’t voice, but I have to wonder if IO and Square Enix have merely done a last minute switcheroo to please the fans at this point.
There may still be a few lingering worries about Hitman: Absolution at this point, but at least the spirit and tone of Agent 47 will remain true thanks to the acting talent of David Bateson.
