Hitman 3 finally marks the end of IO Interactive's World of Assassination Trilogy, as the studio gears up for its 007 video game project. While it does add plenty of new elements that makes this final installment stand apart from its predecessors, it also takes away a few things that might disappoint a particular set of audience.
Hitman 3, like Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 beforehand, takes players on a globe-trotting adventure where Agent 47 is shoved into multiple massive sandbox locations, with plenty of opportunities to take out his target. Hitman 3 evolves over its predecessors offering much more variety and complexity in its six distinct locations, one of which is a throwback to a classic murder mystery.
While Hitman 3 has a lot on its plate, especially with the addition of a new VR mode, the game cuts off some beloved features of the previous titles. Hitman 3, at launch, does not offer any kind of multiplayer mode. Fans of the previous game may recall enjoying the likes of 1v1 Ghost Mode and co-op Sniper Assassin's challenge, however, they are all missing in this latest entry. Back in August 2020, IO Interactive confirmed that the Ghost Mode and multiplayer part of the Sniper challenge won't be making their way to Hitman 3. Additionally, Hitman 2 multiplayer servers were shut down on August 31, 2020, just days after this announcement.
At launch, Hitman 3 offers five distinct game modes for players to choose from. They are Campaign, Elusive Targets, Escalations, Contracts, and Sniper Assassin. In Elusive targets, players will track down their target without HUD and Agent 47's instinct. In Elusive Targets, anything goes as players encounter additional complications such as increased security cameras and disguise restrictions. In Contracts, players have the freedom to choose their own targets and then take them down. Players can also challenge their friends and compete for the best score on the leaderboards. Sniper Assassin is the traditional mode where players take out their targets from a distance.
Fans who are disappointed with the lack of multiplayer in Hitman 3 should not fret as the game brings a lot more to the table than it meets the eye. Returning players get prior Hitman games' map for free and can replay them with the tools and abilities they find in Hitman 3. This means players can use Agent 47's camera, a new addition in the latest entry, in earlier games which encourages replayability unlike anything else.
Additionally, the Google Stadia version adds an exclusive new feature called State Share, which allows players to share a snippet of their game with other players by sending a link and allowing them to take control of that save. This could result in interesting scenarios where a player is able to play a snippet of the game with weapons and gadgets they may not have unlocked in their own playthrough.
Hitman 3 is now available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.