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Does Hitman 3 Include All Hitman Games? The Definitive Answer

Yes, and no, but mostly yes. Let’s clarify. Hitman 3, now officially known as HITMAN World of Assassination, does not include the entire back catalog of the Hitman franchise on the disc or in the initial digital download. However, it effectively allows you to play all the levels from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 within its framework. This unification happened through a system of Access Passes, and a crucial rebrand and simplification of the game’s ecosystem. The result? If you own Hitman 3 (or now, Hitman World of Assassination), you can access the content of the entire modern trilogy (Hitman 1, Hitman 2, and Hitman 3) all in one place, effectively making it the ultimate Hitman experience. Current owners of Hitman 3 received a free upgrade to HITMAN World of Assassination, granting them the core game and access to previously purchased content.

The key here is understanding that the levels from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 are not built directly into Hitman 3, but rather accessed via these “Access Passes”. It’s a way for IO Interactive to keep the game size manageable while providing seamless access to all content within a single unified game. Let’s break it down further. Think of Hitman 3 as the main hub or launcher. It’s the core game, but with the necessary licenses (the Access Passes) you can travel to levels from the other games.

This streamlined approach makes the whole experience incredibly user-friendly, eliminating the need to switch between multiple games. This is a huge improvement from earlier versions of the Hitman games. It combines the best of all 3 games and is the definitive way to experience the modern Hitman trilogy.

HITMAN World of Assassination: A Unified Experience

The move to HITMAN World of Assassination marks a significant shift in how the game’s content is organized and accessed. Gone are the days of confusing editions, bundles, and DLCs. The focus is now on a single, unified platform where all content from the modern trilogy resides. This means if you buy the standard “Hitman World of Assassination”, you have the game’s core content, and can then unlock content from the other games.

How the Access Pass System Works

Here is how it all connects:

Hitman 3 (Now HITMAN World of Assassination): This is your base game and launcher.
Access Passes: These are essentially licenses that unlock the levels from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 within the Hitman 3 game interface.
Ownership: If you previously owned Hitman 1 or Hitman 2 digitally on the same platform, your relevant Access Passes will typically unlock for free. Similarly, disc owners may need the original disc inserted to get the relevant Access Passes. This avoids you having to repurchase the content a second time.
Purchases: If you did not own previous games, you can purchase the relevant Access Passes within Hitman 3 to unlock the additional content.
Simplified System: This makes the entire process much more transparent and simple to understand. It removes the confusion of having to buy multiple games or DLC packs. This gives the player the freedom to pick and choose what to purchase.

What does this mean for the player?

Centralized Gameplay: You only need to launch one game to access all the content from the entire trilogy.
Streamlined Progression: The unified experience means you can see your progression across all missions from the different games.
More Focused Experience: Players no longer need to jump between different Hitman games to experience the whole story.
Optimized Play: Hitman 3 uses enhanced optimization techniques, which means that both the game and the levels of Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 run and perform better on Hitman 3 than when played on their respective original titles.

The Benefits for Newcomers and Veterans

New Players: For newcomers, HITMAN World of Assassination is the perfect starting point. They get the base game and can then easily access the full range of content as they choose.
Veterans: For veterans, the upgrade to World of Assassination means they can enjoy their favorite levels from the previous titles within the updated Hitman 3 environment and engine, while also getting a more unified game experience. The fact that Hitman 3 has a better performance than the earlier titles, the benefit is obvious.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify things about the unified Hitman experience:

Are Hitman 1, 2, and 3 the same game?
While they are all part of the same storyline and share identical gameplay mechanics, they were originally released as separate games. HITMAN World of Assassination effectively merges them into a single experience through the Access Pass system. Gameplay wise, all three are the same.
Do I need to have Hitman 1 and 2 installed if I own Hitman 3?
No, you do not need to have Hitman 1 or Hitman 2 installed. All the content is accessible via access passes within Hitman 3/World of Assassination. This helps to save you hard drive space.
Do I need to play the other Hitman games to understand the Hitman 3 story?
No, but it is recommended. The storyline is present in all three games, so to have a fuller picture of the narrative, playing Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 in order before playing Hitman 3, may be beneficial. But, it is completely optional. The game is more of a collection of maps than story-driven. So you may not be missing much, if you choose to do this.
Can I play Hitman 1 and 2 stories in Hitman 3?
Yes! The Access Passes allow you to experience the storylines of Hitman 1 and 2 directly within Hitman 3, ensuring seamless progression and access to all locations and gameplay.
Is Hitman 3 better than Hitman 2?
Hitman 3, now HITMAN World of Assassination, is often considered the best in the trilogy. It features improved graphics, enhanced gameplay, and offers a more complete experience, since it provides all the trilogy content in one location.
Is Hitman 3 worth it?
For someone new to the Hitman series, HITMAN World of Assassination is definitely worth it. For those who owned the previous titles, it may only be worth it for the improved game engine, streamlined system, and centralized locations.
Are Hitman 3 DLCs free?
Some DLCs are free, such as the ones that unlock your older Hitman levels, whereas others are paid content.
Can I delete Hitman 1 and 2 if I have Hitman 3?
Yes, you can safely delete Hitman 1 and 2 after you have obtained the necessary Access Passes in Hitman 3.
What is the difference between Hitman 3 and Hitman Trilogy?
Hitman Trilogy was a digital collection, whereas Hitman 3 (now HITMAN World of Assassination) is the standalone game that integrates all the content from the entire trilogy via Access Passes.
Is Hitman Trilogy the same as Hitman 3?
Hitman Trilogy was a collection of digital releases, whereas, Hitman 3 is the game itself. This means that in order to play Hitman 1 and Hitman 2, you need Hitman 3 (World of Assassination) and the relevant access passes.
How do I get the Hitman 1 and 2 levels in Hitman 3?
If you own Hitman 1 and 2 digitally on the same platform, the Access Passes are often automatically granted and unlocked. If you don’t, they can be purchased separately within the Hitman 3 game itself.
Is Agent 47 a human?
Agent 47 is a genetically engineered clone, designed to be superior in stealth, combat, and many other attributes.
Can I play the Hitman games in any order?
While you can play the maps in any order, for the best understanding of the story it is best to play them in order. Hitman 1, then Hitman 2 and finally Hitman 3. It’s important to note that the core gameplay is the same across the trilogy, so the narrative is only a minor part of the whole experience.
Why is Hitman 3 so popular?
Hitman 3 is popular due to its refined gameplay, diverse locations, and the culmination of the World of Assassination trilogy. It offers players a vast variety of ways to complete missions.
Is Hitman 3 difficult?
The game has various difficulty options to suit all levels. The new ‘Rogue-like’ mode, is meant to be a hard mode, and it’s considered a challenging experience for many, especially at the start.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Hitman 3 (HITMAN World of Assassination) does not contain the files of the other two games within its initial install, it gives you access to all levels from the trilogy. It’s the central hub, from which you access the entire content via the Access Pass system. This simplifies the whole experience, making it the perfect option for both new players and seasoned Hitman veterans. Now, everyone can experience the complete World of Assassination from a single game. The move to a single platform, and a simpler process for accessing the entire trilogy, means that all players can play the game in the best possible way. The modern trilogy is now completely unified, making it the best way to play this legendary stealth game franchise.

Does Hitman 3 include all Hitman games?