David Bateson’s Favorite Hitman Game Is Absolution — and He’s Not Backing Down

The man behind Agent 47’s iconic voice has made his choice—and it’s not the one most fans expected. David Bateson, the long-time actor behind the barcode assassin, recently shared his personal favorite in the Hitman franchise. Instead of naming one of the newer, critically acclaimed entries in the World of Assassination trilogy, Bateson picked Hitman: Absolution, the most divisive title in the series.

The Hitman franchise has been around for more than two decades, known for its blend of open-ended stealth, disguise mechanics, and sandbox-style assassination setups. Most players today recognize the reboot trilogy—Hitman (2016), Hitman 2 (2018), and Hitman 3 (2021)—as the high point of the series. All three have since been packaged into Hitman: World of Assassination, which will be making its way to iOS in Summer 2025. Pocket 47th!

But Bateson’s heart lies elsewhere. Speaking with Fall Damage in a recent interview, he explained why Absolution stands out to him. For the actor, it wasn’t about gameplay balance or level design—it was about performance.

“Personally I love Absolution, one of my all-time favourite games, because as an actor, I got to do some real acting.” — David Bateson

That line says a lot. Hitman: Absolution, released in 2012, took the series in a very different direction. It introduced a heavier narrative structure, more linear missions, and a greater focus on cinematic storytelling. Fans of the older titles found the new tone jarring—less puzzle box, more cutscene-heavy drama. But for Bateson, this shift gave him the chance to bring Agent 47 to life in a deeper, more emotional way.

He also mentioned that the game holds personal meaning for him. At one point, Square Enix considered replacing Bateson with another actor—reportedly Tom Cruise’s cousin. After backlash from fans, the studio reversed course and brought him back. That emotional rollercoaster seems to have tied his appreciation for Absolution not just to the content of the game but to his own journey as Agent 47.

That kind of personal perspective doesn’t always align with critical consensus. Among fans, Absolution is often seen as the black sheep of the franchise. It stripped out the freedom and experimentation that defined the earlier games and leaned too hard into scripted action. But that same narrative depth is exactly what appealed to Bateson.

While Absolution might not top fan rankings, it isn’t forgotten. In fact, Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal—a remastered and enhanced version of another classic—is on the way to Nintendo Switch soon. IO Interactive clearly understands there’s love for all corners of the franchise.

For anyone new to the series or just looking for a breakdown, here’s a quick look at every mainline Hitman title and how they were received critically:

Looking at this list, Absolution’s score isn’t far off from the rest, but the shift in tone made it a dividing line for longtime players. It’s the only title in the modern era that went all-in on a linear cinematic format rather than the sprawling sandbox model.

Beyond Bateson’s comments, it’s clear that Hitman is still evolving. IO Interactive continues to support the franchise while also moving into new territory, including their upcoming James Bond project. But Hitman remains one of the rare long-running game series that never really lost its identity—it just reshaped it.

And now, with World of Assassination expanding to mobile and Blood Money – Reprisal keeping older classics alive, the franchise seems more accessible than ever. Whether you’re in the camp that loves the open-ended puzzle-box levels of Sapienza or the drama-heavy corridors of Absolution, there’s something in Hitman’s history to appreciate.

So maybe Bateson’s choice isn’t so wild after all. It's just another part of a legacy that’s stretched across consoles, platforms, and generations. Even when opinions split, Hitman remains steady, just like its protagonist.