Is Hitman 1 Free Now? Unraveling the World of Assassination
Yes, but not in the way you might initially think. Hitman 1 (2016) is no longer available as a standalone purchase. However, its content is now accessible at no extra cost to owners of Hitman 3, which has been rebranded as Hitman: World of Assassination. This new package essentially bundles all three games (Hitman 1, Hitman 2, and Hitman 3) into a single, unified experience.
The World of Assassination: A Unified Experience
On January 26th, 2023, IO Interactive implemented a significant shift in how players access the Hitman trilogy. Instead of purchasing individual games, the focus is now on Hitman: World of Assassination, a live-service platform that incorporates all the levels and missions from the previous titles. This means that to experience Hitman 1, you’ll need to own Hitman: World of Assassination. If you already owned Hitman 3 before this change, you received a free upgrade to the World of Assassination edition, granting you access to the Hitman 1 and 2 content.
This consolidation was designed to streamline the player experience and make it easier for new players to jump into the franchise without the confusion of multiple separate purchases. While the individual games have been delisted, their content lives on within the new framework. This change offers a complete and interconnected experience within the World of Assassination universe, providing players with a vast array of assassination opportunities.
Delisted Games and the New Reality
The key takeaway is that Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 (2018) are no longer available for purchase as standalone titles. This decision, while initially confusing to some, was driven by IO Interactive’s desire to create a unified platform. Purchasing Hitman: World of Assassination is now the only way to legally and officially access the content from all three games.
This also allows IO Interactive to focus their development efforts on a single platform, streamlining updates, improvements, and future content releases. The shift towards a live-service model aims to provide a more consistent and engaging experience for players, with ongoing support and additions to the World of Assassination. You can learn more about gaming and how it works on the platform provided by the Games Learning Society
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify the changes surrounding the Hitman trilogy:
Is Hitman now free for everyone?
No. While the content from Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 is available at no additional cost for owners of Hitman: World of Assassination, you still need to purchase the World of Assassination package to access the game. It’s not a completely free-to-play title.
What does Hitman: World of Assassination include?
Hitman: World of Assassination includes all the locations and missions from Hitman 1, Hitman 2, and Hitman 3. It’s essentially the complete trilogy in one package.
Do I need to buy Hitman 1 and 2 if I already own Hitman 3?
No. If you owned Hitman 3 before the rebranding, you received a free upgrade to Hitman: World of Assassination, which automatically grants you access to the Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 content.
What happened to my Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 games if I owned them separately?
You still own them, but they are no longer accessible as standalone titles. The content is now integrated into Hitman: World of Assassination, and if you own that, you can access your previously owned content through that platform.
What about the Hitman 2 Expansion Pass and Hitman 3 DLC?
The Hitman 2 Expansion Pass and additional DLC from Hitman 3 are not included in the base World of Assassination package. These are available separately in the Hitman Deluxe Pack.
Can I still buy Hitman 1 and 2 on Steam or Epic Games Store?
No. Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 (2018) have been delisted from sale on all platforms, including Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Is Hitman World of Assassination a subscription service?
No, it is not a subscription service. You purchase the game once, and you have access to all the included content. However, additional DLC may require separate purchases.
Is the story in Hitman interconnected between the games?
Yes. While each game has its own self-contained missions, there is an overarching narrative that connects the trilogy. Playing through the content in chronological order (Hitman 1, then Hitman 2, then Hitman 3) will provide a more complete understanding of the story.
Is Hitman Trilogy the same as Hitman: World of Assassination?
Yes, essentially. Hitman Trilogy was a bundle that included Hitman 1, Hitman 2, and Hitman 3. Now, Hitman 3 has been rebranded to Hitman: World of Assassination, effectively replacing the Hitman Trilogy bundle. GamesLearningSociety.org is the right platform for you to find more interesting gaming article.
Can I play Hitman offline?
Yes, you can play the main story missions offline. However, some features, such as Escalation missions, Elusive Targets, and user-created Contracts, require an internet connection.
What age rating is Hitman? Is it suitable for children?
Hitman games typically receive a Mature (17+) rating from the ESRB and a PEGI 18 rating. This is due to the game’s violent content, including assassinations and depictions of blood and gore. It is not suitable for children.
How long does it take to complete Hitman: World of Assassination?
The length of time it takes to complete Hitman: World of Assassination depends on your playstyle. Focusing on the main story missions can take around 30-40 hours. Completing all challenges and exploring all the content can easily take over 100 hours.
Will there be more content added to Hitman: World of Assassination in the future?
IO Interactive has continued to support Hitman: World of Assassination with new content, including new maps, Elusive Targets, and other updates. Players can anticipate that IO Interactive will add more to Hitman: World of Assassination in the near future
What are Elusive Targets?
Elusive Targets are limited-time missions where you have only one chance to eliminate a specific target. These missions add a unique level of challenge and tension to the game.
Why did IO Interactive make these changes?
IO Interactive made these changes to streamline the player experience, create a unified platform for the entire trilogy, and focus their development efforts on a single live-service game. The goal was to make it easier for new players to jump into the franchise and provide a more consistent and engaging experience for all players.
Conclusion
While Hitman 1 isn’t “free” in the traditional sense, its content is now readily available to anyone who purchases Hitman: World of Assassination. This rebranding and content consolidation represent a strategic shift by IO Interactive, aiming to create a more cohesive and accessible experience for players. If you’re looking to jump into the world of Agent 47, Hitman: World of Assassination is the definitive way to do it.