The GOG version hasn't been updated with the optional 2.0.4 beta. Yet another lazy, greedy, and entitled dev team that charges the SAME amount of money for this version without doing the bare minimum. On top of the broken release that took YEARS to patch to an acceptable state (and still isn't perfect,) this is another spit in the face. Do NOT buy this version.
This franchise may be the most surprising I've played. Because it's clearly inspired by and similar to the Hitman games, and its pros and cons are mostly shared with H2-3, I'll compare it to them instead of giving a lengthy description of what stealth gamers already know. Granted, I played with the Death to Spies Enhancement Addon, which is highly recommended, but from what I read, it's not a night-and-day difference. Improvements: 1. Story and setting - set in WW2 and loosely corresponding to real events and some real individuals, it feels far more impactful and engaging than Hitman's unrelated contracts and generic side characters. Furthermore, playing a Soviet spy gives you a rare perspective. 2. Mechanics - More varied than any Hitman game. In addition to the usual, there are more concealment methods like hiding in bushes, prone position, camouflage, and avoiding the enemy's line of sight (displayed on the map and GREATLY reduces Hitman 2's crapshoot detections.) Extra features like drivable vehicles, backpacks, and faction weapon recognition add variety. 3. Missions - unlike Hitman, where most objectives are to kill a target, DtS tasks you with various assignments, from assassinations and kidnappings to sabotage and rescue. Also, there's no sprinting to missable events that are often frustrating to find without countless retries or walkthroughs. Downgrades 1. Graphics - Visuals look like H2 despite being released a year after H4. 2. Jank - Like H2, awful combat and highly inconsistent AI, gameplay. 3. Difficulty - The game still involves A LOT of trial and error and is even less forgiving of mistakes. Ghosting isn't mandatory for the best rating and even nets a lower score, and trying to do so (as I foolishly did) is torture.
