Instinct Mode

Instinct Mode
Instinct Mode being used in HITMAN™.
Gameplay Feature
Feature Type	Gameplay Feature Expendable Resource (Absolution)
Purpose	NPC/Objective Placement Reveal Cosmetic Options for Safehouse (Freelancer) Alleviate Suspicion (Absolution) Point Shooting (Absolution)
Appearances	Hitman: Absolution World of Assassination

Instinct Mode is a gameplay mechanic first featured in Hitman: Absolution, and again in the World of Assassination Trilogy.

Description

Hitman: Absolution

In Absolution, Instinct allows Agent 47 to see enemies and civilians through any layout and predict their movements. It also shows points of interest such as objects that can be used to stage accidents and propane tanks. While in disguise, using Instinct allows 47 to go past others dressed in the same clothes without being recognized. Furthermore, point-shooting, which allows 47 to kill a number of enemies quickly, also requires instinct. Instinct drained during Point-shooting and blending depends upon difficulty and Assassin techniques gained.

Regular NPCs are marked by yellow outlines, while targets have red outlines.

With the help of this skill, 47 can easily avoid any enemy without being spotted, or set the perfect ambush.

Instinct can be gained by completing objectives, performing silent take-downs, assassinating targets, or by finding clever ways to bypass enemies. Removing the Evidence throughout the levels also provides large amount of instinct.

Burning fire indicates the movement path of NPCs in Absolution's Instinct mode.

Beginning in Hard mode, when using Instinct, it depletes regardless of whether 47 is attempting to blend in or not.

At Easy difficulty, instinct regenerates by itself, and is also gained quickly by completing above mentioned tasks. At higher difficulties however, it doesn't regenerate and needs to be gained, the exception is Safe spots as Chameleon ranks 1 and 3 will enable then upgrade a small amount of instinct 47 can always restore by blending in regardless of difficulty though this is capped to a certain amount of Instinct that is low on higher difficulties. At Expert and Purist difficulties, instinct doesn't reveal enemies and civilians behind walls.

Hitman: Sniper Challenge

Instinct in Hitman: Absolution. NPCs are marked by yellow outlines.

Instinct Mode is also available in the Sniper Challenge as well, but it differs from the one in Absolution as it doesn't tell which way the guards will patrol. Unlike in the Sniper Challenge, the Instinct Mode in Absolution is limited and is also spent when 47 uses it, does point shooting or conceals his face while walking past someone. It recharges when 47 completes objectives.

World of Assassination™

Instinct returns in the World of Assassination trilogy, but is severely toned down and no longer hides 47 from enforcers. It also no longer shows NPC paths, and is no longer required for gameplay mechanics, and can even be turned off in the settings entirely. NPC icons are visible through Instinct as white outlines, with targets and mission critical objectives highlighted and tinting in red.

Instinct used in HITMAN™ III. Note the interactive objects.

Instinct being used in Freelancer. Note the highlighted DAK X2 Covert.

The usage of Instinct is no longer limited, and can be used as often as desired. Instinct is also the only way to see security cameras' recording grids in Master difficulty and early versions of HITMAN™ 2. Instinct slows down time in HITMAN™ but this was not carried into the sequels. When creating a contract, the desired targets can only be tagged through Instinct. Viewing a contract/escalation target through instinct mode shows their name, NPC disguise, along with any weapon and disguise "requirements". The color of an NPC in Instinct determines their importance:

Main Game/Freelancer

• Grey Outline - Civilians
• White Outline - Enforcers and armed NPCs (Can be used to spot undercover lookouts, assassins and guards)
• Fully Orange - NPCs who have compromised Agent 47's current disguise
• Fully Red - Targets (Note that Elusive Targets are shown with a grey outline)
• Fully Blue - VIPs (such as Diana Burnwood in Mendoza or Arthur Edwards on the Isle of Sgàil)
• Fully Dark Blue/Purple - Suspects in Freelancer (Whilst the leader is alive + suspects marked as "not suspect" will become grey)
• Fully Green - NPCs marked as targets when creating a contract

Sniper Assassin

• Fully Red - Targets
• Fully Purple - Hostages in Hantu Port
• Fully Orange - Bodyguards

Objects that can be interacted with will glow yellow in Instinct mode. These can range from keycard readers to bottled waters which can be poisoned. Dropped weapons will also appear glowing yellow when Instinct is used.

Gallery

Example of the NPC "paths" revealed by Instinct in Hitman: Absolution

Instinct being used to Blend In during playthrough of Hitman: Absolution. This feature would later become a static interactive action in World of Assassination.

Instinct used in HITMAN™ III to reveal interactive objects, in this case water bottles that can be poisoned.

Targets, as they appear in Instinct.

Witnesses, as they appear in Instinct.

Marked NPCs, as they appear in Instinct.

VIPs, as they appear in Instinct.

Sniper Assassin Hostages, as they appear in Instinct.

Sniper Assassin Bodyguards, as they appear in Instinct.

Freelancer Suspects, as they appear in Instinct.

Instinct Mode, as it appears in the challenge tile for Two Birds with One Sniper Rifle.

Trivia

• According to IO Interactive, this new feature is supposed to represent the innate intuition that 47 has acquired over his years as a professional hitman.
• Instinct Mode was also used in Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal.
• A unique instance of Instinct can be witnessed in Isle of Sgail if the player wears a musician's outfit. Due to the blindfold and earplugs, 47 relies soley on his instinct, which actually just filters the screen grey and muffles all sounds.