There is no doubt that Hitman 3 was one of 2021 most eagerly anticipated games, bringing back iconic video game character Agent 47 for the conclusion of the World of Assassination trilogy which began in 2016.
There’s been three superb games featuring some stunning locations and plenty of clean (and not so clean) ways to kill people all over the world, all in the name of justice, revenge and plain old cash…
And clearly Hitman 3 is a jolly good game which shot up to the top of the charts after its release in January this year. This is despite the fact that some were miffed about the fact that Agent 47’s latest outing would be an Epic Games Store exclusive on PC, but there’s good news for those yet to play IO Interactive’s latest Hitman game.
This is because Danish developer IO has released the Hitman 3 Free Starter Pack, which gamers on consoles and PC can download free of charge.
The most noteworthy thing about this free pack is that it lets you play Hitman 3’s first mission, which is set in Dubai. Here you have to infiltrate the world’s tallest building in a mission which bears more than a passing resemblance to Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol movie. It’s one of the best locations in this latest Hitman game.
As usual, Hitman protagonist Agent 47 can resort to an arsenal of tools including his trusty silenced pistol, the garrote, poison, and even an explosive golf ball in order to take down his targets, two shady types which work for a sinister organization known as Providence.
Hitman 3’s Free Starter Pack will let you play the Dubai mission (named “On Top of the World”) until April 5, 2021, which is great if you’re sitting on the fence about buying the game and wish to try it out first in order to find out if the Hitman 3 experience if for you.
Additionally, you also get unrestricted and unlimited access to the ICA Facility tutorial, which includes two training missions based on classic levels from the franchise, originally released in February 2016. This surely is one of the best video game tutorials in recent memory, featuring two atmospheric locations (a yacht and a Russian military base), plenty of gameplay possibilities and multiple ways to kill your targets, and a short and interesting narrative told via some cool cinematic cutscenes.
Aside from this, IO Interactive is also giving away Hitman 2’s first mission. This takes place in a heavily guarded beach house in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, so effectively this Free Starter Pack for Hitman 3 lets you sample a bit of the whole trilogy in order to find out whether it’s worth your time and money. Any unlockables and experience earned will carry over if you decide to purchase the full game according to IO Interactive.
Those who’ve already played and own Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 but are yet to get Hitman 3 have another reason to get hold of the free pack, as it lets you import all locations from the previous games and play these with graphical improvements (better lightning and animations) and Hitman 3’s new items including Agent 47’s camera.
Read more: Hitman 3: how to carryover progression and unlock Hitman 2 levels on PC
Those who are planning to get the Hitman 3 Free Starter Pack on PS4 or PS5 instead of PC or Xbox One (the pack is also available on Stadia), might also be wondering whether this will grant you access to the game’s VR mode. Sadly, this is not the case and you’ll have to purchase the full game in order to enjoy the trilogy’s locations in virtual reality mode.
But still, this free pack is worth getting as IO said on their website that other locations (besides Dubai, Hawke’s Bay and the ICA Facility training levels) will be offered for free in the future.
Meanwhile, Hitman 3 owners will also get access to any locations from the earlier games which are featured in the Hitman 3 Free Starter Pack (that is, if they don’t already own Hitman 1 or Hitman 2, or have not imported those game’s locations into Hitman 3).
And this no doubt is a great opportunity to dive into the franchise if you’re a Hitman virgin, as IO Interactive is still actively supporting Hitman 3 with new content, including the “Seven Deadly Sins” DLC expansion, the first part of which was released recently. IO appears to be trying new things with this DLC, so it might not appeal much to Hitman purists though.
This is before the Danish company changes gears and moves on to making its James Bond game, details of which are scant at the moment. For the time being, though, everyone will be able to get on board the Hitman bandwagon with Hitman 3’s Free Starter Pack, and sample one of the best video game trilogies in recent memory.