Special abilities are mapped to the four face buttons, each of which can alter the AOE’s size and shape, making it possible to keep track of who you’re targeting. Potions can be used via the d-pad and a powerful command is executed with the left trigger (the left bumper is used to cycle through your commands). For non-combat functions, you can upgrade towers and troop nodes by holding down the bumpers and selecting from available options.

Moving stealthily from cover to cover is paramount to success for Agent 47, and for the most part the game is equal to the task. Snapping in and out of cover is done with a single button press, as is moving quickly from one piece to another. Shooting is smooth as well, though the auto-aim always places the crosshairs centre mass, which can be a bit annoying when squaring off against armoured foes. Of course, you can always disable it and rely on your own reflexes exclusively.

Movement is smooth and satisfying, offering up some atypical first-person maneuvers (such as climbing, sliding and hurdling) that are handled nicely. Aiming and shooting are tight as well, regardless of what weapon you’re using — which includes a really enjoyable bow-and-arrow setup. My only gripe is that having one bumper control tossing explosives while the other brought up a weapon wheel felt like an odd pairing — and needless to say I gave away my position a few times by accidentally flinging a grenade when I wanted to simply select a silenced weapon.