During PlayStation 5’sgameplay reveal eventearlier in the month, developer IO Interactive was given the chance to showcase the next entry in its long-running assassination series,Hitman 3. Once again starring Agent 47,Hitman 3is a direct sequel to 2018sHitman 2and will act as the “dramatic conclusion” to the World of Assassination trilogy that first started withHitman (2016)and introduced a new episodic mission structure that focused on player choice and replayability.
IO Interactive originally envisioned the trilogy as a “games as a service” like platform that would expand and evolve over time. The developer has now confirmed thatHitman 3will be the realization of that original vision, allowing players to import all previously released missions from bothHitman (2016)andHitman 2into the new game, as well as an all-new universal progression system.
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Due to release in January 2021 for current and next-gen platforms,Hitman 3will launch with six unique locations and will follow the same gameplay structure as the first two games. Beyond that, IO Interactive has developedHitman 3to be a platform for the trilogy and the ultimate place to experience all three games, allowing players to import any previously owned mission from bothHitman (2016)andHitman 2. For owners of all three games, this meansHitman 3will be home to over 20 unique locations.
As a platform,Hitman 3will also feature a new universal progression system across every location, regardless of which game they originated in. Players will be able to unlock an outfit in the newHitman 3Dubai mission and use that same outfit in the imported Paris mission fromHitman (2016). While the team has confirmed that specific details on how importing works will be shared at a later date, it was also revealed that item unlocks andprogression fromHitman 2can be carried over to the game as well.
Back in 2017,IO Interactive split from Square Enixafter the release ofHitman (2016),gaining full control of the IP.Hitman3 will be the first game entirely developed and published by IO Interactive, so it’s great to see the team finally get the chance to realize its vision for the trilogy. MakingHitman 3a platform for the trilogy is a fantastic move that will benefit both the game and consumers, and creates the perfect jumping-on point for new and returning players on current and next-gen consoles.
Hitman 3will release on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One in January 2021.
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