Will the Real Slim Shady please stand up (So Agent 47 can kill him)? – Hitman Elusive target review

After appering in digital dancing floors of Fortnite, the world’s most recognizable rapper, Eminem, has made his lattest and the strongest appearance – as intel and target for Agent 47 in the new "Eminem vs Slim Shady" Elusive Target pack.

Let’s start with the facts — the mission takes place on the Hokkaido map, which isn’t exactly a fan-favorite among Hitman players. The good news is that IOI has reworked it, thematically and mechanically, to match the unhinged energy of Slim Shady. Any dedicated fan of the rapper will immediately spot the plethora of obvious references: bloody "Shady" graffiti, containers of 'mom's spaghetti,' iconic masks, and various other easter eggs scattered throughout the modified medical complex. The entire map feels drenched in that early-2000s Shady madness — the controversy, the shock value, and the warped sense of humor that defined his prime era.

Dear Slim: My Name is Agent 47

When it comes to the story, Agent 47 is hired by Eminem himself to eliminate his blond, diabolical alter ego that has completely slipped out of control. Unfortunately — or perhaps fittingly — there isn’t much narrative depth here. In fact, the entire mission plays out as a dream sequence, which conveniently explains why IOI introduces a brand-new gameplay mechanic: teleportation. Certain mirrors scattered around the facility allow 47 to warp into a hidden house, from which you can pick another mirror and reappear on a completely different part of the map. It’s bizarre, surreal, and very Slim Shady — and it adds a fun, unexpected twist to the usual Hitman formula.

From a mechanical standpoint, there are still plenty of familiar ways to deal with Slim, but what really stands out are the new, story-driven tricks added just for this mission’s bizarre setup. The map is packed with small touches that actually make sense within its Shady-themed madness — odd little traps tied to his chaotic persona, environmental hazards that wink at iconic music videos, and a few assassination angles that feel like they could only work in this strange, dreamlike version of Hokkaido. It all blends together surprisingly well and gives the mission a flavor that’s different from anything else in the Elusive Target lineup.

Music to get murdered by (Literally)

Alright, enough about the gameplay — what about the audio side of things? Surprisingly, it’s one of the mission’s strongest elements. Alongside 47’s trademark quiet tension, the level features brand-new dialogue performed by Eminem himself, with distinct vocal variations for his “real” self and the unhinged Slim Shady persona. It’s a small touch, but it adds a layer of authenticity you rarely get in crossover missions.

The soundtrack leans heavily on Houdini, which plays at key moments and fits the surreal, unstable tone of the mission perfectly. On top of that, IOI has added several new NPCs with fresh lines that flesh out the mission story indirectly.

When the music stops…

In the end, Eminem vs. Slim Shady — something that initially looked like a “cheap” promotional stunt for an older game — unexpectedly turned out to be one of the best Elusive Target missions IOI has released in years. Sure, the mission is relatively short, but the premise is strong, the aesthetic and humor are spot-on, and the music and small mechanical twists elevate the overall experience. If you’re both an Eminem fan and a Hitman fan, this one’s a no-brainer.

However, it’s impossible not to address the elephant in the room: the DLC will only be purchasable until the end of this year. And that kind of FOMO-driven design is something I genuinely dislike in modern gaming. No matter how much I love Eminem and Hitman, I can’t ignore the fact that this mission will only be accessible to players who happen to be active during December 2025. It’s a frustratingly artificial limitation on an experience that deserves to be preserved — not locked behind a disappearing buy-window.