Square Enix backtracks on Hitman: Absolution online pass

Hitman: Absolution publisher Square Enix has backtracked on its earlier decision to include an online pass with the game.

That means the game's Contracts Mode - user-designed levels crafted to be "reverse murder mysteries" and shared online - will be available to all players for free.

"We'd actually planned to have this mode accessible via a code in the game's box, but we really want to make it available to anybody that plays the game - so we want to take a new approach," a statement posted to the official Hitman: Asbolution Tumblr said.

European players will still receive a Contracts Pass code in their box, Square Enix added. This can be ignored - the item is now free to download from the in-game shop.

"If you're in North America you'll see the mode automatically appear in the game menu. If you're elsewhere, you can redeem the code inside the box, or you can simply select the BUY CONTRACTS PASS option. From there, head to the store where CONTRACTS will be free to access."

Eurogamer's Tom Bramwell raved about Contracts mode in our 7/10 Hitman: Absolution review.

"If enough people take to it and find devious ways to put 47's skills to the test, then Contracts could well be the best thing about Hitman: Absolution in the long run," he wrote.