The world tour of assassination comes to a close. Hitman 3, created by IO Interactive, brings to a end a story that started in 2016. Agent 47 is close to destroying the Partners of Providence, but events from earlier threaten to turn allies against him. At it’s heart, the Hitman series has always been a puzzle/stealth game. This instilment adds more story and more character development to the bald killer.
At the beginning of each level, you are assigned to take out a target. You must find the best way to get to them, kill them and then escape undetected. Agent 47 can cause distractions and don disguises in order to get close. One of the best parts of the Hitman series is that there is numerous ways to accomplish your goal. You don’t want to just end a mission (unless you are going for a time record) Targets talk and things change as you move around the level. Setting up challenges give these stages replayablilty.
The locations are gorgeous. Agent 47 travels from Dubai to Romania and each level looks better then the last. One level in particular looks as if 47 has stepped right into the film Knives Out. It was a little jarring, but in a fun way. There are so many moving parts that you might find yourself staying put and just taking the setting in.
The story of Hitman has not always been at the forefront, but this instalment finally brings all the pieces together. We learned at the end of the second game that Diana, his alley, has another connection to 47. He was the one who killed her parents. We know that she will learn about this and we wonder what she will do with the information. Much like a job that goes sideways, the solution may not be what you think.
If Hitman 3 was the end of the series, it would be a fitting conclusion. The developers have said this is not the end of the story, just the end of a chapter. Where 47 goes from here is anyone’s guess, but you can be certain it will be a an exciting ride.
9/10
Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch and PC
