Another PC classic has landed on Android — Hitman: Absolution, originally released in 2012 by IO Interactive and now faithfully ported by Feral Interactive, the same team behind successful mobile ports like GRID Autosport, Company of Heroes, and Tomb Raider Reloaded.
While Absolution may not be everyone’s favorite entry in the Hitman franchise, its arrival on Android marks a significant step forward for mobile gaming — proving that a decade-old AAA title can still feel relevant and playable in your hands today.
So, how well does it perform? What are the graphical differences compared to PC? And can your device handle 120 FPS? Let’s break it down in detail.
Feral Interactive: The Studio Keeping AAA Games Alive on Android 🧩
Before we jump into gameplay performance, it’s worth recognizing Feral Interactive and their unique role in the mobile ecosystem.
Unlike many studios that rely on cloud streaming or lightweight remasters, Feral creates native ports — meaning the entire game runs directly on your Android hardware, without any server dependence.
Their reputation comes from delivering near-desktop quality experiences through efficient optimization. In short:
- The ports use the original assets and engines, adapted for ARM processors.
- They maintain controller support, save syncing, and graphics scalability.
- And most importantly, they don’t rely on ads or microtransactions.
If you’ve played their other releases, you already know how much care goes into performance consistency. Hitman: Absolution continues that legacy.
Pricing and Availability 💵
Regional pricing has been applied globally, making the game surprisingly affordable.
- India: under ₹450 (≈ $5 USD)
- US/EU: around $15 USD equivalent
Considering that this is a premium title with no in-app purchases or ads, the pricing feels fair, especially compared to modern mobile offerings.
You can find it officially on Google Play Store and Feral’s official site:
🔗 https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/games/hitmanabsolutionandroid/
Graphics Options and In-Game Settings 🖥️
Let’s move to the next section — the in-game graphical customization.
Feral has included one of the most comprehensive graphics menus seen in a mobile title so far. You can customize:
- Texture quality (Low / Medium / High)
- Shadow quality
- Post-processing effects
- Anti-aliasing
- Dynamic resolution scaling
- Frame-rate caps
Frame-Rate Options
You can choose between 30 FPS, 40 FPS, 60 FPS, or even 120 FPS, depending on your device’s refresh rate. For example, if you’re using a Snapdragon 8 Elite or equivalent flagship chip, the game can reach 120 FPS.
This flexibility means you no longer need to dive into configuration files or use developer tweaks just to control performance — something PC gamers had to do years ago.
Resolution
By default, the port renders at 2400 × 1080 pixels, with dynamic resolution scaling enabled. You can disable this only through the configuration file if you wish to maintain a fixed resolution for benchmarking.
Visual Comparison: Android vs PC (Ultra Settings) 🆚
So, how does the Android version look compared to PC running at ultra settings on an RTX 4060?
Surprisingly, the difference is minor. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
| Visual Element | PC (ULTRA) | Android Port |
|---|---|---|
| Global Illumination | Slightly more realistic color bounce | Softer lighting, less depth |
| Shadows | Sharper and denser | Slightly smoother edges |
| Water Reflections | Larger and more dynamic puddles | Smaller reflections, fewer ripples |
| Bloom & Lens Effects | More pronounced cinematic bloom | Softer bloom to reduce heat and battery load |
| Ambient Occlusion | Higher fidelity | Lower to maintain FPS |
Despite these differences, textures and geometry are almost identical. Characters, props, and environments remain untouched, preserving the game’s distinctive noir aesthetic.
💡 Tip: Advanced users can manually unlock PC-level settings by editing the “preference” file located in the game directory — the same tweak Feral offers for all their mobile ports.
Performance and Frame-Rate Tests ⚡
Now, let’s discuss performance — the area most gamers care about.
120 FPS Mode
On flagship hardware like Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite, the game can maintain 100–120 FPS most of the time. However, you’ll need an external cooler or active fan, because at that refresh rate, the game becomes CPU-intensive and power consumption rises above 10 W.
Occasional CPU usage spikes can cause brief stutters, especially during heavy AI or particle effects. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they show the port might benefit from one or two optimization updates.
60 FPS Mode
The sweet spot for most players. Running at 60 FPS provides fluid motion with manageable thermals. Power draw stays around 6–7 W, and sustained gameplay feels stable across long sessions without needing a cooler.
40 FPS Mode
Perfect for battery conservation. The game’s pacing isn’t fast-twitch, so 40 FPS feels smooth enough for stealth gameplay. You’ll gain longer playtimes and fewer temperature spikes.
Thermals, Battery Use, and Optimization Tips 🔋
Now that we’ve discussed FPS, let’s talk about real-world experience — heat, throttling, and battery drain.
During extended testing sessions (≈ 1 hour):
- 120 FPS: Device temperature reached ~44 °C / 111 °F, with visible thermal throttling after 25 minutes.
- 60 FPS: Maintained ~38–40 °C with no throttling.
- 40 FPS: Around ~36 °C, nearly idle-level heat.
Optimization Tips
To keep gameplay smooth:
- Enable Dynamic Resolution Scaling if you’re experiencing drops below 50 FPS.
- Close all background apps before launching.
- Lower Shadow Quality first — it offers the best performance boost per watt.
- Avoid prolonged play in direct sunlight or under warm ambient temperatures.
Battery life varies by device, but expect around 2 hours at 120 FPS, 3.5 hours at 60 FPS, and 5 hours+ at 40 FPS.
Benchmark Use for Flagship SoCs 📱
For benchmark enthusiasts, Hitman: Absolution (Android) is now one of the best native AAA test titles for mobile GPUs.
Why?
- It features heavy AI computation, dynamic lighting, and dense particle systems.
- The port scales cleanly across different SoCs, allowing fair comparison.
- It supports every major frame-rate cap (30–120 FPS).
If you’re testing smartphones for gaming reviews, add this game alongside titles like Resident Evil Village Mobile and No Man’s Sky Mobile.
Verdict: How Good Is the Port? 🧠
So far we’ve covered visuals, frame-rates, and thermals. Let’s summarize the real-world experience.
| Category | Rating (out of 10) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Quality | 9 / 10 | Near-PC fidelity with subtle visual trade-offs |
| Performance Optimization | 8 / 10 | Smooth at 60 FPS; occasional spikes at 120 FPS |
| Controls & Interface | 9 / 10 | Excellent touch + controller support |
| Battery Efficiency | 7 / 10 | Demanding at high refresh rates |
| Value for Money | 10 / 10 | Full AAA experience under $5 (India) |
Overall, Hitman: Absolution Android stands as one of the best-executed AAA mobile ports of the decade. It’s visually stunning, stable, and faithful to the PC version — further proof that Android can now handle real console-grade experiences natively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ❓
Q1. Is the Android port a full version of Hitman: Absolution?
Yes. It’s the complete single-player campaign with all missions, voice acting, and cut-scenes from the original PC release.
Q2. Does the game support controllers?
Absolutely. It has full controller mapping out-of-the-box for Xbox, DualShock, and third-party gamepads.
Q3. What devices can run it smoothly?
- 60 FPS: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or above.
- 120 FPS: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 / Gen 3 Elite, Dimensity 9200 +, or Apple A17 Pro.
Q4. Can you modify graphics beyond in-game settings?
Yes. Advanced users can edit the preference.cfg file in the game directory to unlock hidden PC-grade settings such as higher shadow detail and global illumination.
Q5. Is there multiplayer or online content?
No, the port includes only the single-player campaign, optimized for offline play.
Q6. Does it require an active internet connection?
Only during initial download and license verification. After installation, the game runs entirely offline.
Disclaimer ⚠️
All performance observations in this article were made on test devices using Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite hardware with Android 14. Actual results may vary depending on thermal design, software updates, and game patches.
This article is for informational purposes only. Hitman Absolution is a property of IO Interactive and ported to Android by Feral Interactive Ltd.
For verified system requirements, visit:
👉 https://www.feralinteractive.com
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