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PS2 FANTASY
One of the best soundtracks ever written for a videogame.

GAMES PULSE XBOX
The music is some of the best in video game history.

GAMES AGENT
winner: Best music in a game 2002 award !

PSE2 MAGAZINE
Hitman 2 soundtrack gets the Editors Choice Gold Award !

IGN XBOX
The music of most big budget action movies won't move you like the music of Hitman 2.

THE GAME COUCH
Some of the most amazing video game music I've ever had the pleasure of hearing.

8BALLS HARDWARE
Among the best music that I ever came across in any game.

GAMER NEXT
The best musical score I have ever heard.

GAMERS PULSE PS2
Kyd’s score is among the most outstanding composed for an interactive title.

ZEN GAMER
The soundtrack may possibly be the best I’ve ever heard in a game.

GAMEZONE PC
Music is marvelous and always fitting, with a fantastic orchestra. Sound 10/10

ARMCHAIR EMPIRE
Supremely excellent soundtrack.

SONY TARGET
Some of the best orchestrated music I’ve ever heard in a video game. Often, it’ll truly define any given moment while playing. The game is suspenseful by itself, but the music just adds that extra spice that really gets your heart pounding.

GAME INDUSTRY NEWS - GIN
The soundtrack is a nice classical mix with the music fitting the mood of the mission very well. The music intensifies with the in-game action, and adds a “dark elegance” to the assassinations that you must carry out.

GAMING WORLD X
The musical score for Silent Assassin is perhaps the best yet this year, and has the ability to inspire emotion equaled only by the score from Halo.

GAME2EXTREME
A musical score that is a sure winner for best original soundtrack of the year!

GAME CRITICS
The real star of this game is the music. From the title screen to the after-kill music, each piece is chilling, reflecting the coldness of murder, and the numbness that comes after each kill.

GAME CHRONICLES XBOX
Actually surpasses most film scores. The combination of orchestral music and the chanting voices of the choir creates a haunting, yet beautiful mix that evokes all sorts of emotional responses even during the menu screens. It just doesn’t get any better than this.

YIYA
I have hardly ever heard anything better in a game in this genre. The Requiem is solely worth buying the game for and I stay longer in the menu screens, just to hear this part again and again.

DEAL TIME
Should recieve best original soundtrack for the great score of this game. The score will keep you on your seat while performing rewarding tasks like succesfully taking out your target, while right there the orchestra strikes up the main theme. I can't say enough about the games soundtrack.

GAMERWEB XBOX
A score that would make John Williams proud.

XBOX MAYHEM
The music provided by the Symphony leaves Hitman 2 on top of the Xbox charts of best musical score for a game. There are very few titles that can accomplish what Hitman 2 has (except Halo).

JEUX PC
As for the sound track, it deserves applause. A remarkable work was made by the musician Jesper Kyd. The music alternate between dynamic and calm, and a few moments of cold sweet are to be envisioned...

STRATOS GROUP
Sporting one of the best soundtracks I have heard in a while. The soundtrack is a top-notch variety of classical and contemporary classical music composed by Jesper Kyd and performed by Budapest Symphony Orchestra and Choir.

GAMEZONE GAMECUBE
Hitman 2 is incredibly enjoyable to listen to. It's a work of art. Every song – yes, every song is a unique artistic piece that'll stay with you long after the game has been turned off. 

XBOX EXCLUSIVE
Astoundingly good music. When the action picks up, the fully orchestral, heart pounding musical scores charge right in and knock you off your feet. Some of the scores in the game are just chilling, and add so much cinematic style to an already very stylistic title.

DAYLY RUSH
Sound wise Hitman 2 is a master piece. Mozart couldnt have done it better. The developers got help from the Budapest’ Orchestra and Choir which really creates atmosphere in the game when danger lurks.

KHABAL GAMING
The sound in this game, to sum it up in one word, is beautiful. The music is so good, that I just hide in a corner sometimes, turn off the monitor and just listen to the music.

FERRAGO
The music is of an exceptional quality and does much to give the game an epic feel. Rousing Soviet themes provide an electrifying atmosphere when you're perched on top of a building in St Petersberg with a number of Russian generals in your sniper scope. Equally, Arabian music achieves a similar effect when your missions take you to the Middle East. Other developers should take note - a game's score can be an enormous help in creating immersion.

MULTIMEDIA CENTER
The biggest experience in the game comes simply from the music. Everyone who at some point have been active or in connection with the demo scene knows the name Jesper Kyd. This is simply some of the most impressive game music I have heard in a long time, and it fits brilliantly into the games history and structure. Sound 10/10

GAME CHRONICLES PC
Hitman 2 features a soundtrack that is better produced and more engaging than those found in most motion pictures.

GAME FAQS
Wow. This is the only word I can think of. The composer Jesper Kyd and the Budapest Orchestra really nail it. The soundtrack is amazing from the opening theme to the end song. I can open the game, load a mission, hide in a corner, and just listen to the music for a long time. Overall: 10 (14 if I could)

X DOME
Brilliant soundtrack. Sets new standards and in the future will be used as a reference for a completely top score.

LONEGAMERS
The music for Hitman 2 is spectacular. Beautifully orchestrated music plays through out the game and each one is masterfully done.

BOLTGAMES
The overall quality of this work astounds me. Neither overwhelming, nor under whelming, the music very elegantly fits in with the experience.

WARGAMER REVIEW
The soundtrack for Hitman 2: Silent Assassin is just as impressive as the graphics. Playing a nerve-wracking game such as this is enough to invigorate anyone, but having Jesper Kyd's musical form of anxiety running through their mind makes the whole Hitman 2: Silent Assassin experience that much more amazing.

GAME HELPER
Think of the Hitman 2 music to be much like the music found in Lord of the Rings; it’s so good that Eidos decided to release the soundtrack to the game, which is currently running around $15. If you liked the music to Gladiator and Lord of the Rings, you’ll want to pick this CD up.

ABSOLUTE PLAYSTATION 2
An original classical soundtrack, performed by The Budapest Symphony Orchestra and Choir that flow’s in time with the action. Imagine the effect this style of music had on movies such as The Omen, A Clockwork Orange and to some extent The Godfather trilogy to get some idea of the overall ambience created.

WARGAMER PREVIEW
An absolutely fabulous addition to the whole Hitman 2 experience.

PC GAMER MAGAZINE #105 (US)
Another treat is the score, conducted by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and Choir, echoing at times John Williams' operatic tracks from the new Star Wars films . It's a fresh change from the distortion-drenched rock we action fans are so often spoon-fed.

MUSIC4GAMES
The music incorporates many different genres, from classical to groovy beats, with various geographical influences reflecting the globetrotting nature of the game. All these are skillfully managed by the composer, who demonstrates an enviable ability to successfully tackle a broad spectrum of musical styles. His compositions also suggest a thorough knowledge of games and the way in which they work, which surprisingly, is not always a key consideration for game developers these days, but you can see the benefits of it here as each piece perfectly fits and enhances the on-screen action.

IGN PS2
In the same line as Electronic Arts' Medal of Honor series, IO Interactive chose the road less taken by creating original, serious, and classical music specifically for this game. The result is an excellent set of compositions that are worth appreciating on their own. With music composed by Jesper Kyd and played by The Budapest Symphony Orchestra and Choir, just as in the The Godfather, gamers will experience exquisite classical music while some kind of murder or betrayal occurs simultaneously. For those who enjoy a good mature soundtrack, far from the pinking, beeping sounds of past arcade games, Hitman is definitely your game.

GAMERWEB SONY
Hitman 2 is even more impressive sonically. Eidos and IO interactive tapped Jesper Kyd and The Budapest Symphony Orchestra and Choir of all people to provide the soundtrack to Hitman 2. Well, I’m certainly glad they did because the music in Hitman 2 complements the gameplay in a seamless manner that not many games before has been able to capture (MGS2, MOH:F, and FF X come to mind) . The music is done in the classiest manner, and complements the action superbly. There’s something about the contrast between classical music and violence that merges perfectly and does nothing but enhance the rich, powerful soundtrack found in this game.

ADRENALINE VAULT
The combination of classical music and deliberate, controlled violence has worked in many films, and its adaptation to the art of the video game is even more rewarding... Hitman 2 's music carries the gameplay a long way, as its appearances are brilliantly orchestrated. Music: 5/5 Stars

PLAYZONE MAGAZINE 11/02 (GERMAN)
The background music sounds particulary complex. Orchestral forces alternates with synth sounds and the music is absolutly worth hearing without the game.

GAMEZONE XBOX
The soundtrack, performed by Jesper Kyd and the Budapest Radio Symphony Orchestra, is both hauntingly beautiful and original. Aside from the magnificently chilling soundtrack--that sets the mood so brilliantly--the voice acting is cinematic and delightfully perfect.

EUROGAMER
One of the things that really caught our attention was the quality of the soundtrack. It’s so rare these days for a developer to score its own games – for a long time now the thirst for licensed tunes has conspired to crush those creative enough to bother with their own music. Fortunately, Io Interactive went against the grain, employing veteran interactive composer Jesper Kyd, whose works were performed by the 110 musicians of the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and Choir.

GAMESPOT
Featuring a booming original soundtrack, parts of which were performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Hitman 2's music effectively underscores the action and also weaves in some cultural themes that help establish each new setting. And the way the music fades to a soft, ominous tone after you assassinate your target in each mission may send shivers down your spine.

ELiTeD Preview
The original music score is composed by Jesper Kyd and peformed by The Budapest Symphony Orchestra, which you will instantly love. The expressive music is intense and spine tingling, much like the game itself.

NINTENSITY
To go with such high quality graphics is an incredible soundtrack backed by the Budapest Radio Symphony Orchestra which is both unique and enjoyable. Throughout the game the mood of the environment and that of Agent 47 is reflected through the chilling and haunting music playing.

GAMES FIRST
It is fitting that one of the first credits to appear after the game boots up belongs to the music’s composer, Jesper Kyd, and The Budapest Symphony Orchestra. Together they have created a haunting and beautiful score that sets exactly the right tone for every moment of the game. The Latin chants that accompany the menu screen had me mesmerized.

TOTAL VIDEO GAMES
Completing the polished package is a rousing and varied musical score from the Budapest Symphony Orchestra.

GAMERSWEB PC
The well-known Budapester Symphony Orchester performed the music and sets a very high standard for future competitors.

GAMESPY
The game's soundtrack, performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and Choir, is excellent in its own right. I found myself wishing for an option to just listen to the music, but when paired with the game it gives the whole experience a truly epic feel.

IT AVISEN
The games soundtrack is masterfully composed by Jesper Kyd and performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and choir. The atmosphere in this soundtrack gives you a god father like feeling and diffenitly improves the game experience a notch or two.

THUNDERBOLT
Anchored by a great score from the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Hitman 2's aural presentation is top-notch. The soundtrack ranges from gently moving to pulse pounding and enhances the overall experience significantly.

FARRAGO GAMECUBE
The soundtrack on the other hand is consistently impressive thanks to a brilliant orchestral soundtrack that adds a huge amount of atmosphere to the game. It's so nice to play a Nintendo game without having to suffer a beeping midi tune for once.

MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES
This ominous opening cue is definitely impressive and the concept alone of using live voices in a digital environment (the game) is ingenious.

CINEMUSIC
Kyd shows that he has an extensive grasp on orchestrations for different ethnic sounds...Kyd shows off his talents at orchestration and produced an addition to the growing list of complex video game scores.

ELiTeD REVIEW
The music was brilliantly composed by Jesper Kyd and performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra. It is a beautiful soundtrack that you may want to add to your home collection.

SOUNDTRACK CD REVIEWS

CINESCAPE MAGAZINE
Kyd’s music is rich, dark, ominous, and epic in scope. Cues like “Mission in India” and “47 in St. Petersburg” seethe with Goldsmithian exoticism, while Kyd’s Main Title is a swelling composition for orchestra and choir. “The Penthouse” is a furious action motif for dueling strings and cymbals over a roughhouse floor of percussion.

MUSIC 4 GAMES SOUNDTRACK CD PREVIEW
The music is often beautifully simple, with subtle string, brass or woodwind sections weaving enchanting sub-melodies through the more restrained main themes. It’s the calm control of the composition that is particularly impressive and refreshing, with slow, understated melodies meandering along, seemingly going nowhere, only to take you by complete surprise as they break into the most wonderful, uplifting orchestral splendour. The use of subtle changes and gentle shifts in the music, and instrumentation, provide the basis for these haunting and hypnotic compositions...I was relieved and impressed to see that the composer was wise and brave enough to steer clear of the obvious, traditional and unoriginal musical trap that I had obviously fallen into. Too many composers use, or borrow, a style that is synonymous with other games or films from the same genre, to try to create, or rather recreate, an easily recognisable atmosphere, and this can sometimes be affective, but more often than not it comes across as unoriginal, uninspiring and passé. Whilst relying on the increasingly popular use of a real orchestra, this game soundtrack has managed to avoid the obvious, and still provide a suitable, stylish and impressive musical backdrop for the game. There are some real hidden gems in here that creep up on you, take you by surprise and send you drifting off into a brief,musical bliss. Killer stuff.

ONE UP STUDIOS SOUNDTRACK CD REVIEW
When I first popped the "Hitman 2: Silent Assassin" score into my CD player I was blown away. A beautiful choir, over-the-top brass, excellent recordings, and great music. I hoped it wouldn't end. Let's see the rest of the album goes. A lot of it reminds me of the older Bond films (before David Arnold took over; he's my favourite so far), which is great. The music is very suspenseful and majestic. I have no idea what the game's all about, but the varied styles of this soundtrack sure do plant a lot of amazing imagery into my head. The "Hitman 2 Main Theme" really sets us up the bomb. The choir is belting out what I believe is Latin, and lays a great foundation for everything to build up on, which it definitely does. This track never disappoints me. I always love to hear it. It has a lot of motion and suspense, much like the tracks "Action Begins," "47 Makes a Decision," and the "End Boss" theme (as End Boss themes should be suspenseful, no?). Something I really like about this score is the use of ethnic/world themes and sound. According to the track names, I'd say "47" (the player you control) gets to travel around the world quite a bit. And when he does, it sounds great. I think my favourites are the two themes from India. Both very well done, and feature some ethnic percussion recorded additionally from the composer, Jesper Kyd. really like "H2 Exploration." I think it might be my favourite track on this CD, or at least tied it the "Main Theme." Remember how I said the soundtrack sounds a lot like old Bond flicks? This track sounds like the "David Arnold" era, which I adore. Very ambient, ethereal, percussion driven, and loop based. Towards the end it just keeps getting better and better. Worth the price of admission, for me. And to top it all off, "H2 Action" is nearly just as good. The songs for "Hitman 2: Silent Assassin" are beyond excellent - more than you'll get with most domestic game score. So, all in all, this is a great soundtrack, especially for people who prefer live music to synthesized music. I've never played these games; I've only seen a commercial for this one, so buying this was a little strange for me. But the fact that I just listened to a couple of samples and bought it right away is a strong indicator of a great score. Because all of the tracks lived up to those few second samples, and that's what everyone wants - to get what they pay for. You certainly do with "Hitman 2: Silent Assassin.

MUSIC 4 GAMES SOUNDTRACK CD REVIEW
His subtlety with the creation of electronic sounds that are both fresh and engaging really makes the latter half of the soundtrack stand out, but his orchestral compositions should not be overlooked. He is obviously an artist with a love of his craft. Anyone not familiar with Hitman 1 or 2 can probably guess the main objective of the game's many missions. One can probably imagine the proper score, but Kyd finds many ways to be original. The opening theme is a great example of Kyd's creative use of the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and the Hungarian Radio Choir (yes, a real orchestra and choir!)- Quite an impressive way to start a game. His approach for Hitman 2 seems to take cues from darker composers like Danny Elfman, developing short rhythmic motifs that reoccur across the orchestral scope. The ominous, brooding nature of the piece intentionally recreates the darker atmosphere associated with the life of a hitman. Part Batman, part Scarface, the powerful brass and strings echo the sentiments of a fallen hero. He utilizes the full quality of the orchestra to help bring his vision to life. It is always amazing to hear a skilled modern composer blend these live elements together, and the exotic locations that the game features (India, Japan, Russia, Istanbul, Hong Kong) are exemplified by Kyd's use of traditional melodic and harmonic concepts associated with each culture. Everything from traditional Japanese and Indian instruments to powerful Russian and Arabic melodies make for a very diverse score that few composers are brave enough to venture into. Through it all, Kyd holds the songs together with common elements.  The Hitman 2 soundtrack takes an unexpected shift from symphonic to electronic, but the results are spectacular. Grinding rhythmic motifs pulsate under a bed of middle-eastern instruments and analog synthesizers. Everything just seems to blend perfectly, resulting in a nice selection of electronic and acoustic sounds. Particularly interesting are his Ambience and H2 track - with such a great, burning energy that apart from any context they are excellent songs to listen to for any occasion. This soundtrack is really top notch all the way, and IO Software obviously knew what they were doing when they hired in Kyd and retuned their original Hitman game for this extremely popular, well-made title. Any fans of game music, film scores, world music, and the game, should definitely check this out.

Internal Links : Overview | Reviews | Awards | Music Clips

H2-MainTitle.mp3 >>
H2-TheSetup.mp3 >>
H2-SicilySlow.mp3 >>
H2-IndiaAction.mp3 >>



TV Interview Download (with subtitles) >>

Hitman 2 US TV Commercial >>
Hitman 2 Trailer >>
Korean Hitman 2 trailer >>

GameZone interview >>
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Hitman 2 official website >>

Hitman 2 demo >>
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Buy the Hitman 2 Soundtrack >>
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