Hitman 3 - Blood Money 2

Not quite a review, just some of my thoughts and impressions on the new Hitman game. I would consider myself a casual Hitman fan. I have played all of them to completion, but have not always stuck around to replay the missions over again like the developers intended. Not since Blood Money have I invested so much time into a Hitman game. 

For real though, this is the best Hitman game since Blood Money. Honestly, if I take my nostalgia goggles off, it's probably better than Blood Money. Hitman 2016 walked so that Hitman 2 could run, so that Hitman 3 could fly. While the core gameplay mechanics have not changed much, just the addition of a Camera that can be used to hack electronics (or take wicked assassin selfies), IOI has the "Why fix what isn't broken" mentality. This also adds to the whole World of Assassination Trilogy being one whole game. You can play from Hitman 2016 straight through to Hitman 3 and barely notice a difference in performance. Especially since IOI has updated the last two installments with the ability to bring equipment earned in 3 back to the older games. 

Story wise, Hitman 3 is focused more on the over arching story, so if you haven't been following along from the first two games you may be a little lost. The last mission in particular has you experience events from the previous installments in a montage like fashion. Level wise, this may be where Hitman 3 shines the brightest. Dubai is a fantastic opener showing scale, and acts as a great tutorial for both new and returning players.

The second level, Dartmoor Mansion might be the single greatest Hitman level ever created. The map is simple enough, just a multi level mansion with secret doors within, and their may only be one target. But the fun you will have, living your very own "Knives Out" experience if you choose to dispose of and disguise yourself as the detective who is trying to solve a murder in the mansion. Or replace the Undertaker who is showing off the empty grave to the target who is faking their own death, only to shove their body in said grave and fill it so no one suspects a thing. The final mission of the game, while not being a sprawling open map, reminds me a lot of Blood Money's final mission, which was a nice feeling of nostalgia to have.

It has been a few weeks now, and whenever I think I am done with Hitman 3, I think of new scenarios that I want to try, and with IO's content updates, it looks like I will continue to have reasons to revisit the World of Assassination for a long time. It's rare for me to replay certain games over and over again, however Hitman excels at dropping some bait at the end of each mission. Applauding you for your achievements, but showing you just how many more opportunities you may have missed. It also helps that perfectly eliminating the target and dipping out without being caught or making anyone suspicious feels incredible. It may be February, but I think this year has a lot to prove if any game is going to knock Hitman 3 out of my Game of the Year running. 

The visuals in this game are stunning. Keep in mind I am experiencing this game on a Series S, meaning I didn't get to enjoy the 4K visuals that you could be experiencing. The only "ugly" thing that could be touched up would be the character models. But I understand they are using the same engine as the previous two Hitman games to complete the feeling of one whole story that could be played from beginning to end in one installed game. The environment is absolutely beautiful, and makes me even more excited to see what "next gen" is going to look like in a year or two from now.  

I am glad IO is finally getting some well deserved praise and they seem to finally be turning Hitman non believers. Yes, it could be because it released in January, gaming's dry spell. I just hope no one forgets about Hitman 3 come reward season. The Dev team at IO have certainly deserved it. The World of Assassination trilogy should make everyone excited for IO's James Bond project. If IOI does to 007 what they did to 47, we are going to be in for killer (Pun intended) Bond game.

That's it for now. Off to relive Knives Out in Dartmoor Manor.