Hitman Sniper

Hitman Sniper builds on the proven principle of previous mobile titles from Square Enix Montréal – the game is derived from the Hitman GO mini-series, but instead of turn-based strategy on a board-like layout, it offers pure sniper action from a fixed position. The player watches the scene through a rifle scope, tracks the movement of guards and civilians, and looks for the moment when a hit won't raise the alarm. The controls are adapted for the touchscreen – aiming with a finger across the display, zooming with a drag, and a single tap to fire – and work surprisingly precisely even without physical buttons, although the game is played exclusively in landscape orientation.

The game's charm lies in chain combos: taking out multiple targets in a single instant, detonating a barrel of explosives so it takes out further enemies, or dropping a chandelier onto a passing guard's head. Each level can be finished within a few minutes, but replaying for a higher score and to fulfill bonus conditions gives the game a lifespan far beyond its short story – leaderboards and unlockable weapons motivate you to return even to levels you completed long ago. Visually, it's austere, stylized graphics that emphasize the scene's readability over detail, which ultimately benefits the game – the player focuses on tactics, not on the surrounding scenery.

The game is paid with optional microtransactions for weapons and upgrades, which at the time was more of an exception in a genre of mobile shooters dominated by ads. It's still available for download today, though publisher support has gradually faded and no new content has been added for a long time.

Why play: Ideal for players who want short, well-thought-out pocket sniper puzzles without the aggressive monetization typical of free-to-play competitors.