The Hitman series has always been considered something of a niche series when compared to the big AAA shooters like Call of Duty. It even differs from fellow stealth titles like those in the Metal Gear Solid series. However, with the World of Assassination trilogy, the series which both rebooted and acted as a sequel to Hitman: Absolution, the Hitman games have gained a bigger audience and increased its fanbase.
The recent games in the series are just as complex and in-depth as their predecessors – if not more so. The developers IOInteractive have stuck to their guns and delivered one most complex yet entertainingly accessible entry in the series with Hitman 3. Here are 10 beginner tips for Hitman 3 players.
10 Prepare Before The Mission
Preparation for every mission wholly depends on what kind of assassin players want Agent 47 to be. One could be a sniper that will make use of distance and timing. Instead, Agent 47 could be a John Wick-style shooter or a Silent Assassin that performs like James Bond. No matter what, knowing what equipment to use is paramount to achieving one’s goals.
Picking the right tools for the job is obviously key to success. As players complete objectives and unlock missions, more weapons and gear will unlock. So just have fun with the maps and the objectives first as each level’s replay value just keeps on growing.
9 The Lockpick And The Coins
Even players that start out with intentions of going into each level like bald-headed Rambo will eventually succumb to the appeal of being as stealthy and as clever as possible. Going for the Silent Assassin grade on every map just feels right. Two of the best ways to achieve this is by using distraction techniques.
This is why Agent 47 should always have a coin handy to distract targets, guards, and other NPCs to traverse maps without being detected. Another invaluable tool for getting around undetected is to have the Lockpick MKIII handy. This will help Agent 47 get access to several inaccessible rooms without being noticed.
8 Explore The Map
Each level is a massive and open sandbox that is absolutely packed to the brim with mission stories, objectives, and opportunities. When one first starts the game, it can be very intimidating and, to a degree, a little overwhelming.
The best way to approach each map, however, is to simply have fun and explore it. Work out the nuances and shortcuts and get to know the important NPCs that occupy each map. Familiarizing oneself with all the maps will make for a much more efficient assassin.
7 Save Often
Each map is packed full of NPCs, guards, and enemies. Each and every one has a great line of sight that will either attack 47 on sight or report Agent 47 to the nearest member of the authority. Even for experienced players, it’s very easy to make a mistake even if things went well earlier in a mission.
Thankfully, Hitman 3 has lots of save slots available so players can experiment with each and every level, room, and opportunity.
6 Follow The Targets
Before every level, Agent 47 will get briefed by Diana on his targets. He'll get dossiers on their backgrounds and their personalities which is often a justification for performing the hit in the first place. All of this information is useful, but the best way to learn about 47’s targets is to follow them as much as possible.
The best way to learn a target’s patterns and vulnerabilities is to simply watch and observe their movements as they go about their business. This way, 47 will find the best tools for the job and eliminate his targets in the most efficient and entertaining way possible while slipping away unnoticed.
5 Use Agent 47’s Instinct
The Hitman series’ Instinct Mode is a mechanic that was introduced in Hitman: Absolution and continued in the World of Assassination trilogy. It’s a mechanic that works similarly to the stealth features that are found in the Batman: Arkham games.
Even though Agent 47 isn’t Batman, he is still a genetically enhanced human with heightened abilities and senses. The Instinct Mode plays into that part of his background. Using this mode allows 47 to see through walls, detect targets in red, hostages in purple, and VIPs in blue.
4 Watch Agent 47's Status
In any video game, monitoring the player character's status can be a make or break part of the gameplay. For Hitman 3, players will notice a status bar beneath the also-very-important minimap. This bar can help players plan what actions they can choose to take.
It also teaches players the various terminology that comes up during missions. "Trespassing", "Compromised", "Hunted", and a few others all indicate Agent 47's status in regards to NPCs and enemies. Combat is the final stage that means Agent 47 will be shot directly on sight.
3 Get A Crowbar
There are always lots of useful items that can be used as tools, weapons, or both. One of the most useful of these items is the trusty crowbar which can usually be found in a variety of places on the map. Crowbars can be used as non-lethal melee weapons, thrown to instantly knock out opponents, break locks, and can even be dropped on the ground to prevent a door from slamming shut.
In Hitman 3, however, its usefulness has been extended to breaking the locks on ladders which open up the new interconnected pathways and shortcuts. This might ring a few bells for fans of the Dark Souls and Resident Evil series.
2 Use Everything
Each and every map is littered with useful items that can be used as a weapon or a distraction in some way or another. With this in mind, it’s always a good idea to grab as many items as possible and experiment with what works.
Thankfully, Agent 47 doesn’t have a carry limit when it comes to collecting items and filling his pockets. However, take note of some of the most useful and concealable items like rat poison, screwdrivers, kitchen knives, coins, and more.
1 The Missions Stories
If a player is going into Hitman 3 with the full intention of getting the biggest bang for their buck, then the best thing they can do is tackle the mission stories/opportunities. Doing side missions adds more replayability to each map and brings each location to life. In a way, each level feels like a game within a game.
Tackling these extra missions will allow 47 to reap the rewards such as gaining access to new weapons, gear, and mastery scores.