Building comparison
head to head
Hitman: ContractsvsThief
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is optimization, and it is a single point.
Hitman: Contracts
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Dark remix of classic Hitman missions built on the same clockwork puzzle stealth.
Thief
Optimization · Pure Optimization
Planning stealth routes around fully mappable guard patterns.
Hitman: Contracts leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Thief leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Hitman: ContractsThief
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 4
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Hitman: Contracts
Precise positioning and timed takedowns
Thief
Movement timing matters but shadows forgive imprecision
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Hitman: Contracts
Scripted patrols and fixed reactions only
Thief
Guards patrol fixed routes with mappable vision cones
Variance2 vs 2
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Hitman: Contracts
Unknown layouts and triggers on first attempts
Thief
Patrol layouts are scripted-but-unknown on first entry
Optimization8 vs 7
Hitman: Contracts leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Hitman: Contracts
Route, disguise, and timing solve each mission
Thief
Route planning around guard patterns is the whole game
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.