Do I Need to Play Hitman Before Hitman 3? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is: no, you don’t need to play the previous Hitman games before diving into Hitman 3, now known as Hitman: World of Assassination. However, whether you should is a more nuanced question. Thanks to the unified World of Assassination format, owning Hitman 3 grants you access to all the levels from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2, effectively creating one massive, interconnected game. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you should skip straight to the finale. Let’s break down the reasons why, and why not, playing the previous installments is still beneficial.
The Allure of a Unified Experience
Hitman 3‘s transformation into Hitman: World of Assassination has significantly altered the landscape of the series. Before, purchasing access passes and transferring progress felt like a chore. Now, for a new player, it’s a streamlined experience. Owning the base game immediately unlocks a staggering amount of content, offering hundreds of hours of gameplay across diverse and intricately designed levels.
However, simply having access to all the levels doesn’t automatically equate to having the optimal experience. While the gameplay mechanics are largely consistent across all three games, there are compelling reasons to consider playing in chronological order.
Understanding the Narrative
While one article suggests the story is a “joke,” that’s a rather reductive assessment. The World of Assassination trilogy tells a cohesive narrative arc about Agent 47’s past, his relationships, and his evolving sense of self. Starting with Hitman 1, you witness the rekindling of his friendship with Diana Burnwood and their initial conflicts with Providence. Hitman 2 delves deeper into 47’s history and introduces pivotal characters who become instrumental in the events of Hitman 3.
Skipping directly to Hitman 3 will leave you with a fragmented understanding of these relationships and the motivations driving the characters. While Hitman 3 does a decent job of explaining the immediate context, the emotional impact is undeniably lessened without the preceding chapters. Certain plot twists and character reveals will simply lack the punch they were intended to deliver.
Gradual Mastery of Mechanics
The Hitman series is renowned for its depth and complexity. Each level is a meticulously crafted sandbox, offering countless opportunities for creative problem-solving. Starting with Hitman 1 allows you to gradually learn the intricacies of the game’s mechanics, level design, and AI behavior. You’ll naturally progress from simpler missions to more challenging scenarios, steadily honing your skills as a silent assassin.
Jumping straight into Hitman 3 might feel overwhelming due to the sheer scale and complexity of the later levels. The early missions of Hitman 1 serve as a valuable training ground, teaching you the fundamental principles of disguise, infiltration, and elimination.
Appreciating the Evolution of Level Design
The level design across the World of Assassination trilogy is consistently excellent, but there’s a noticeable evolution in complexity and ambition. Hitman 1 features iconic levels like Paris and Sapienza, which are relatively self-contained and straightforward. Hitman 2 introduces larger, more open-ended environments like Miami and Mumbai, offering greater freedom of approach. Hitman 3 takes this trend even further, with sprawling levels like Dartmoor and Chongqing that are teeming with secrets and opportunities.
Playing the games in order allows you to appreciate this evolution in level design and witness the developers’ growing confidence in creating intricate and immersive sandboxes. You’ll notice subtle improvements in AI behavior, environmental storytelling, and the overall sense of player agency.
Making the Decision: Should You Play Chronologically?
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to play Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 before Hitman 3 depends on your individual preferences and priorities.
Play in chronological order if:
- You value narrative coherence and want to fully understand the story of Agent 47.
- You enjoy gradually learning game mechanics and mastering complex systems.
- You appreciate the evolution of level design and want to witness the developers’ growing ambition.
- You have plenty of time and want to immerse yourself in the complete Hitman experience.
Jump straight to Hitman 3 if:
- You’re primarily interested in the gameplay and don’t care much about the story.
- You’re already familiar with the Hitman series and its mechanics.
- You’re short on time and want to experience the latest and greatest levels.
- You’re drawn to the visual fidelity and technological advancements of Hitman 3.
Regardless of your decision, the World of Assassination is a remarkable achievement in game design, offering unparalleled freedom and creativity. Whether you choose to embark on a chronological journey or jump straight into the finale, you’re guaranteed to have a thrilling and rewarding experience. And, if you are interested in learning more about the educational impact and serious applications of gaming, consider exploring the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of playing Hitman before Hitman 3, now Hitman: World of Assassination:
1. Do I need to buy Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 separately if I own Hitman 3 (World of Assassination)?
No. Hitman 3 was rebranded to Hitman: World of Assassination, and it includes all the levels from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2. If you own Hitman 3, you automatically have access to the content from the previous two games.
2. Can I play the Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 story campaigns within Hitman 3 (World of Assassination)?
Yes, you can play the complete story campaigns of Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 directly within Hitman 3 (World of Assassination). They are integrated seamlessly into the game.
3. Is there any graphical or gameplay difference between playing Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 content within Hitman 3 versus playing them as standalone games?
When playing the levels from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 within Hitman 3, you benefit from the graphical enhancements and gameplay refinements introduced in Hitman 3‘s engine. This means improved visuals, smoother performance, and access to new items and mechanics.
4. If I start with Hitman 3 (World of Assassination), will I be completely lost in the story?
While you won’t be completely lost, you’ll miss out on crucial character development and plot points that are established in Hitman 1 and Hitman 2. The emotional impact of certain events in Hitman 3 will be lessened without the context of the previous games.
5. Are all the levels from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 available in Hitman 3 (World of Assassination) from the beginning?
Yes, once you own Hitman 3 (World of Assassination), all the base game levels from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 are immediately available to play.
6. Does playing Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 first affect the difficulty of Hitman 3?
Playing the games in chronological order provides a natural progression in difficulty. You’ll gradually learn the game’s mechanics and level design, making the challenges in Hitman 3 feel more manageable.
7. Is it worth buying the DLC for Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 if I already own Hitman 3 (World of Assassination)?
The DLC for Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 typically includes extra missions and items. Whether or not it’s worth buying depends on your desire for additional content. If you enjoy the base game, the DLC offers more of the same high-quality gameplay.
8. Will my progress from Hitman 2 carry over to Hitman 3 (World of Assassination)?
If you previously played Hitman 2, your progression and unlocks can be carried over to Hitman 3 (World of Assassination). This is highly recommended to avoid losing any progress.
9. Is Hitman 3 (World of Assassination) a prequel to the other games?
No, Hitman 3 (World of Assassination) is the third and final entry in the World of Assassination trilogy. It follows the events of Hitman 1 and Hitman 2.
10. Does Hitman 3 (World of Assassination) include any tutorial missions for new players?
Yes, Hitman 3 (World of Assassination) includes tutorial missions that introduce new players to the basic mechanics of the game. These missions are a good starting point, even if you plan to play the earlier games afterward.
11. Are the gameplay mechanics identical across all three Hitman games?
The gameplay mechanics are largely consistent across all three games, but Hitman 3 introduces some refinements and new items. However, the core gameplay loop of disguise, infiltration, and assassination remains the same.
12. Is it possible to play Hitman 3 (World of Assassination) offline?
Yes, it is possible to play Hitman 3 (World of Assassination) offline, but you will not be able to track progress on challenges and will not have access to unlocks unless you reconnect to the servers.
13. What are some of the most popular levels in Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 that I shouldn’t miss?
Popular levels from Hitman 1 include Paris, Sapienza, and Hokkaido. From Hitman 2, notable levels include Miami, Mumbai, and Isle of Sgàil.
14. How does the rating system (PEGI, ESRB) affect who should play these games?
Hitman 3 (World of Assassination) is rated Mature 17+ by the ESRB and PEGI 18, reflecting its violent content. Parents should consider this rating when deciding whether the game is appropriate for their children.
15. Has Hitman 3 been remastered in any way since its initial release?
While there isn’t a specific “remaster,” the integration into Hitman: World of Assassination brings graphical and performance improvements to all levels, including those from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2. The levels benefit from the updated engine and technology of Hitman 3.