Hitman 3 is a resounding triumph that delivers the pinnacle of stealth sandbox gameplay. As the dramatic finale to IO Interactive‘s assassination trilogy, Agent 47‘s globetrotting adventure has never been more polished, packed with content or visually stunning. For newcomers and veterans of the franchise, Hitman 3 is absolutely worth adding to your collection.
Across three expansive games, the World of Assassination provides over 20 sprawling locations and over 100 unique targets to creatively eliminate. With all content installed, Hitman 3 boasts 42 campaign missions and 102 campaign targets – making it one of the most generous packages in gaming.
As someone who has invested over 200 hours perfecting runs in these interactive playgrounds, I can confidently say Hitman 3 is IO Interactive‘s crown jewel and a sensational conclusion to the trilogy. Let‘s dig into the details:
Globetrotting Gameplay Perfected
Hitman 3 continues the addictive stealth loop that makes these games so special. You explore lived-in locations, uncovering opportunities for creative kills, then execute convoluted assassination plans that inevitably go awry. No two runs play out the same. The formula has been honed across three games to offer:
- Huge, intricate environments packed with secrets
- Diverse navigation options like disguises, shortcuts and tools
- Living ecosystems driven by detailed NPC schedules
- Mission stories that provide jumping off points for goals
- AI that reacts to actions and events convincingly
Hitman 3 combines the best elements of its predecessors into a refined experience. Let‘s examine some key improvements:
| Feature | Hitman 1 | Hitman 2 | Hitman 3 |
| Graphics and Lighting | Good | Enhanced | Stunning |
| Gameplay Polish | Strong | Refined | Superb |
| Loading Times | Moderate | Improved | Very Fast |
| Level Size and Density | Large | Bigger | Massive |
These iterative improvements result in Hitman 3 feeling like the most comprehensive and immersive entry in the trilogy – which is saying a lot!
Location, Location, Location
While the sandboxes in Hitman 1 and 2 were stellar, IO Interactive has outdone themselves with Hitman 3‘s locations. Let‘s take a look at these exotic, intricately designed settings:
Dubai
The opening level throws you in the deep end at a stylish hotel and skyscraper complex. Packed with secrets and shortcuts, there‘s something immensely satisfying about making your way through the gleaming towers to infiltrate the penthouse level.
Dartmoor
This grand English manor house holds dark secrets, providing classic Agatha Christie vibes. Exploring the grounds feels like stepping into a murder mystery novel. There are so many methods to uncover the truth.
Berlin
Vibrant crowds fill the streets in this bustling European city landscape. The different mission areas, from a rave to an elite auction, are densely packed with potential assassination options. Berlin represents Hitman levels at their most expansive.
Chongqing
A high-tech skyscraper still under construction and the surrounding streets provide verticality and density. The visuals and lighting bring the rainy neon metropolis to life beautifully.
Mendoza
The sunny vineyards and grand mansion of an Argentinian wine tycoon give a slice of luxury. You can ruin the target‘s prized wine batch in so many creative ways!
Carpathian Mountains
The trilogy concludes with this gloomy, snowy compound. Storming the secure mountain base provides a dramatic setting for the climax of 47‘s journey.
Along with all the imported locations from previous games, Hitman 3‘s awe-inspiring levels will be keeping players occupied for years trying to devise wild new strategies. The settings are integral to the experience.
Story Closure and Character Depth
For a franchise focused on expansive gameplay rather than narrative, the World of Assassination trilogy surprised by crafting a compelling story and cast of characters. Diana and Agent 47 have never felt more human. The ominous Providence conspiracy provides an intriguing through-line across all three games.
Hitman 3 concludes the arc in dramatic fashion, bringing closure to long running threads. The locations and missions tie into the core narrative more tightly than ever. Despite 47‘s deadpan delivery, the story has genuine emotional beats as relationships evolve. It‘s a welcome layer that enhances the experience.
Adding Hundreds of Hours of Replay Value
Hitman 3‘s biggest feature is the ability to import locations from the previous games. With full access, Hitman 3 becomes the definitive package – containing the entire World of Assassination trilogy in one place, enhanced by the improved Glacier engine.
This adds tremendous value through sheer volume of content. Across all three games, players can explore:
- 21 huge, intricately designed locations
- 103 creative mission stories and side objectives
- Over 300 unlockable items like outfits, gear and weapons
- More than 800 challenging mission mastery levels to complete
With so many challenges, secrets and ways to eliminate targets, you could play for months without exhausting everything these locations have to offer. This makes Hitman 3‘s asking price an incredible bargain.
VR – The Pinnacle of Immersive Assassination
An amazing new feature is the ability to enjoy Hitman‘s iconic locations and emergent gameplay in virtual reality on PC. VR visuals are stunning, with environments having a heightened realism that sucks you in. Interacting with the world using motion controllers makes actions like picking locks, sabotaging equipment and strangling targets disturbingly visceral.
Stealth gameplay becomes even more tense and exciting in VR. With the headset on, I often find myself staying still to avoid detection or peeking around corners in first person. The feeling of inhabiteding these spaces is transformative – Hitman was made to be experienced this way. Just be aware the VR performance requires a hefty PC.
Is Hitman 3 Worth it? An Unequivocal Yes!
While not revolutionary, Hitman 3 represents IO Interactive‘s prime assassin sandbox refinement and an accumulation of everything that makes these games special. The locations are astonishingly well realized. Freedom of approach is unrivaled. Experimenting and exploiting living ecosystems stays engrossing even after hundreds of hours. This is Hitman perfected.
Some criticisms about lack of innovation are valid, but with such strong core mechanics, radical reinvention wasn‘t required. The changes on display in Hitman 3 are meaningful evolutions that enhance the trademark experience. For new players and series veterans, Hitman 3 is absolutely worth buying to experience incredible game design. Just playing the opening Dubai level leaves no doubt this is Hitman at its apex.
So in summary – yes, absolutely buy Hitman 3! If you‘re new to the series, start with Hitman 2 then enjoy the full trilogy. For pure refinement of immersive stealth sandbox gameplay, IO Interactive has delivered a sensational end to Agent 47‘s journey. This is Hitman at its most expansive and compelling.
