Festive-themed content for games is nothing new. Overwatch had a Winter Wonderland seasonal expansion with Christmassy character skins and themed modes, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare featured a snowball fight, and Saints Row IV had an over-the-top festive mission pack called "How the Saints Save Christmas." The Hitman series is also no stranger to Christmas content, with various Xmas-specific missions over the years, and this year is no different.
Hitman's Christmas event Holiday Hoarders is back, and that means some familiar faces are returning as well. Nothing says Christmas like iconic festive films, and it seems like IO Interactive agrees. The infamous thieving duo Harry and Marv from the Macaulay Culkin film Home Alone will be making another appearance in the stealth game during the event, which is available from November 30. The self-titled Wet Bandits will be the elusive targets that Agent 47 will be charged with taking down in a variety of ways as he pursues them through the Paris level.
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Hitman 3 is the eighth installment in the franchise and was released in January 2021. The game follows genetically engineered assassin Agent 47 as he prowls about different environments and eliminates a whole host of targets using whatever he has at his disposal. In addition to the levels and locations that were included in the game at launch, IO Interactive has continued to provide content for the game throughout its first year, like the Seven Deadly Sins series of expansion packs. Recently, Year 2 was announced, with brand new content coming for players on January 20, 2022.
But just before that, Hitman 3 is squeezing a little more content into 2021. Video games and films have had a historically tumultuous relationship, with video game film adaptations flopping more often than not. That being said, the relationship the other way around has proved more fruitful. Hitman has already flirted with films, with the inclusion of Sean Bean as a target, a meta-nod to the actor meeting a grisly end in a lot of the films he appears in. The inclusion (again) of the Home Alone characters is a nice connection to Christmas and adds something extra for fans of the series and the famous festive film.
The Boys Are Back In Town
Holiday Hoarders, an expansion that previously made an appearance in 2016 and then again in the Hitman Legacy Pack in 2018, will be returning once more, giving gamers the chance to explore the Paris level as they make their way through the present-laden palace. However, all is not well, as they're also tasked with taking down the inept duo of Harry and Marv as they attempt to steal anything they can get their hands on.
If the player is successful in their mission, they will be rewarded with the iconic Santa 47 suit, letting them parade around as Father Christmas as they commit their contracted kills. The expansion pack will be a permanent addition to Hitman 3 so players will be able to replay the Christmas content to their heart's content. IO Interactive has also said that owners of the Hitman 3 Free Starter Pack will be able to play through the festive pack during December for free as well.
What Else Does Santa Have In The Bag
Holiday Hoarders isn't all that Hitman 3 is providing players with this festive season. Community member Urben has been tasked with adding a new batch of Featured Contracts, which will be in-game for every player on December 21. All Elusive Targets will also be reactivated, so anyone that missed them when they first appeared will have another chance to take them out. From December 3, a different Elusive Target will be made available in Hitman 3 every Friday up until January 19.
Just like Holiday Hoarders' permanent status, Hokkaido Snow Festival from Hitman 2 will be another addition staying put within Hitman 3. Players will be able to engage in snowball fights in the ground of the private hospital as well as getting down to what Agent 47 does best and taking down targets to unlock a new Snow Festival Suit and Ice Pick. With lots of festive treats in store, players will be looking forward to seeing what December brings.
Hitman 3 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.