# Hitman 3
**Hitman 3** is a 2021 stealth video game developed and published by [IO Interactive](https://www.edgepedia.org/io-interactive), released on January 20, 2021 as the final entry in the studio's World of Assassination trilogy that began with the episodic *Hitman* reboot in 2016[1](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-3-review-roundup/1100-6486432/) • [2](https://gameinformer.com/2020/12/31/io-interactive-on-walking-away-from-the-hitman-series). The player controls [Agent 47](https://www.edgepedia.org/agent-47), a genetically modified assassin who performs contract hits on high-profile targets in exotic locations, using stealth, disguises, and environmental tools to eliminate targets and escape undetected[3](https://ioi.dk/hitman/game-features). It was IO Interactive's first release as an independent studio after its 2017 separation from [Square Enix](https://www.edgepedia.org/square-enix), and the studio's last Hitman game for the time being[2](https://gameinformer.com/2020/12/31/io-interactive-on-walking-away-from-the-hitman-series). In January 2023 the game was rebranded as *HITMAN World of Assassination*, absorbing the content of the first two games into a single product[4](https://ioi.dk/en-us/hitman/news/2023/hitman-3-to-become-world-of-assassination).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release | January 20, 2021, published by IO Interactive[1](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-3-review-roundup/1100-6486432/) |
| Role in series | Final game of the World of Assassination trilogy begun with the 2016 episodic *Hitman*[2](https://gameinformer.com/2020/12/31/io-interactive-on-walking-away-from-the-hitman-series) |
| Studio milestone | IO Interactive's first release as an independent studio[2](https://gameinformer.com/2020/12/31/io-interactive-on-walking-away-from-the-hitman-series) |
| Platforms | Cross-generation release; IO's first game for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X[5](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/q-a-lessons-learned-from-five-years-spent-on-the-i-hitman-i-series) |
| Game director | Mattias Engström[6](https://www.pcgamer.com/how-io-made-the-hitman-trilogy-its-stealth-masterpiece/) |
| Rebranding | Became *HITMAN World of Assassination* on 26 January 2023, with a free upgrade for existing owners[4](https://ioi.dk/en-us/hitman/news/2023/hitman-3-to-become-world-of-assassination) |
| Technology | IO's in-house Glacier engine; locations populated by up to 300 fully animated NPC characters[3](https://ioi.dk/hitman/game-features) |
## Gameplay
Each level is a sandbox in which the player must find a way to eliminate assassination targets and then escape the level without being discovered[7](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hitman-3-review-perfect-execution/1900-6417632/). Levels often contain more than one target and sometimes additional objectives, such as retrieving a secret file[8](https://www.wired.com/review/hitman-3/). The player chooses a starting disguise, equips weapons, plants equipment for pickup on arrival, and then explores freely, listening in on conversations and identifying opportunities to strike; every successful mission ends with a rating that reflects the approach taken[3](https://ioi.dk/hitman/game-features).
Hitman 3 keeps the stealth mechanics, world interaction, and enemy AI of the previous two games unchanged, and refines the formula through its level design rather than altering it[7](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hitman-3-review-perfect-execution/1900-6417632/). It shares the same AI, stealth systems, and user interface as its predecessors, while experimenting with the established formula in several levels[9](https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-3-review/). As players master missions they complete challenges and earn XP that awards new suits, weapons, items, and gadgets for replays[3](https://ioi.dk/hitman/game-features).
## Levels and design
The game's locations include a skyscraper in Dubai, an English manor at Dartmoor, and a Berlin nightclub, each built with a high level of fidelity on the Glacier engine[3](https://ioi.dk/hitman/game-features) • [9](https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-3-review/). The Dartmoor level casts the player as a detective entering an elaborate murder mystery, and the Berlin level has the scene crawling with rival agents in disguise[9](https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-3-review/) • [12](https://www.gamesradar.com/best-stealth-games/). [PC Gamer](https://www.edgepedia.org/pc-gamer)'s review called the Dubai opening an incredible piece of level design and highlighted the Berlin and Dartmoor missions as standouts, while noting a couple of weaker levels[9](https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-3-review/).
The game also experiments with structure. Some levels strip Agent 47 of disguises for pure stealth tasks, and one level ends with a computer hack and escape sequence, a linear side objective that runs counter to the sandbox style of play[10](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/hitman-3/). Compared with the previous two games, other levels contain only three Mission Stories per map, against an average of about ten in the earlier games[9](https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-3-review/).
## Development and release
Hitman 3 capped the World of Assassination trilogy that IO Interactive started in 2016 with its episodic *Hitman* reboot, and it was the company's first release as an independent studio[2](https://gameinformer.com/2020/12/31/io-interactive-on-walking-away-from-the-hitman-series). It was a cross-generation release and IO's first work on the [PlayStation 5](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation-5) and Xbox Series X[5](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/q-a-lessons-learned-from-five-years-spent-on-the-i-hitman-i-series). Mattias Engström served as game director, and the team visited Dubai early in development to shape that level[6](https://www.pcgamer.com/how-io-made-the-hitman-trilogy-its-stealth-masterpiece/).
The trilogy's structure followed a 2013 internal pitch called "Hitman: The World of Assassination", conceived by chief creative officer Christian Elverdam and colleagues as an ever-expanding game in which all the blocks would fit together rather than one game replacing the next[11](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/hitman-25-interview-2025). With the legacy editions, the player can jump to any level from the whole trilogy from the menus, giving access to all three games at once[13](https://www.unsupervisednerds.com/reads-full/2021/3/10/how-hitman-3-hides-a-tutorial).
## Reception
Critics received the game strongly ahead of its January 20, 2021 release, with GameSpot awarding 9/10 and calling it full of fun and fascinating ideas that play with the concepts underpinning the previous four years of Hitman levels[1](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-3-review-roundup/1100-6486432/). PC Gamer described it as a beautiful, deep, and endlessly replayable murder sandbox featuring some of the best levels in the series, and a sensational stealth game despite a couple of weaker levels[9](https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-3-review/). PC Gamer later named it the best stealth game of 2021[14](https://www.pcgamer.com/best-stealth-game-hitman-3/).
Not every review was unreserved. [Ars Technica](https://www.edgepedia.org/ars-technica) titled its review "Let's call it Hitman 2.5 and be fine with it", finding the sequel landed in a nearly identical interface to the last game, with the same XP progression, escalation missions, and custom contracts sandbox, and noting a lack of advances[15](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/01/hitman-iii-review-lets-call-it-hitman-2-5-and-be-fine-with-it/). GameSpot likewise observed that the game is scaled down somewhat as an overall package even when its missions feel more ambitious in intricacy[7](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hitman-3-review-perfect-execution/1900-6417632/). Reviewers on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X praised its frictionless stealth gameplay, unique stages, exceptional replay value, and visual fidelity[16](https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5) • [17](https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x).
## Rebranding as World of Assassination
On 26 January 2023, IO Interactive renamed Hitman 3 to *HITMAN World of Assassination*, which also includes access to Hitman 1 and [Hitman 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/hitman-2-2018-video-game) through the existing Access Pass system, and existing Hitman 3 owners received a free upgrade on all platforms[4](https://ioi.dk/en-us/hitman/news/2023/hitman-3-to-become-world-of-assassination). The change reduced the store offerings to two products: the base *HITMAN World of Assassination* at approximately $70 USD, including Hitman 3 plus the H1 GOTY Access Pass and H2 Standard Access Pass, and the Deluxe Pack at approximately $30 USD, including the H3 Deluxe Pack, the H3 Seven Deadly Sins Collection, and the H2 Expansion Access Pass[4](https://ioi.dk/en-us/hitman/news/2023/hitman-3-to-become-world-of-assassination). Standalone Hitman 1 and Hitman 2 products were removed from sale on all platforms, though existing owners retain access[4](https://ioi.dk/en-us/hitman/news/2023/hitman-3-to-become-world-of-assassination).
For existing owners with partial DLC, Steam gained "complete the set" functionality for the three Deluxe Pack DLCs, charging an even split of about $10 for each missing piece, and other platforms added the individual DLCs to the in-game store at the same reduced price[4](https://ioi.dk/en-us/hitman/news/2023/hitman-3-to-become-world-of-assassination). IO stated the changes were made with the [Freelancer](https://www.edgepedia.org/freelancer) game mode in mind, where easy access to all locations across the World of Assassination is central to the experience[4](https://ioi.dk/en-us/hitman/news/2023/hitman-3-to-become-world-of-assassination).
## Later support
The game has continued to receive content and platform updates as a live service, including the roguelike Freelancer mode[18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUzgwXVwErU). The trilogy's success underpinned IO Interactive's subsequent projects, including the [James Bond](https://www.edgepedia.org/james-bond) origin story [007 First Light](https://www.edgepedia.org/007-first-light) and the new IP Project Fantasy[19](https://ioi.dk/en-us/about?panel=job%3Fid%3D6692867).
## References
1. [Hitman 3 Review Roundup, GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hitman-3-review-roundup/1100-6486432/)
2. [IO Interactive On Walking Away From The Hitman Series, Game Informer](https://gameinformer.com/2020/12/31/io-interactive-on-walking-away-from-the-hitman-series)
3. [Game Features, HITMAN, IO Interactive](https://ioi.dk/hitman/game-features)
4. [HITMAN 3 to become World of Assassination, IO Interactive](https://ioi.dk/en-us/hitman/news/2023/hitman-3-to-become-world-of-assassination)
5. [Q&A: Lessons learned from five years spent on the Hitman series, Game Developer](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/q-a-lessons-learned-from-five-years-spent-on-the-i-hitman-i-series)
6. [How IO made the Hitman trilogy, its stealth masterpiece, PC Gamer](https://www.pcgamer.com/how-io-made-the-hitman-trilogy-its-stealth-masterpiece/)
7. [Hitman 3 Review — Perfect Execution, GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hitman-3-review-perfect-execution/1900-6417632/)
8. [Review: Hitman 3 Is a Beautifully Executed Finale, WIRED](https://www.wired.com/review/hitman-3/)
9. [Hitman 3 review, PC Gamer](https://www.pcgamer.com/hitman-3-review/)
10. [Hitman 3 review: A great farewell to a stealth legend, VGC](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/hitman-3/)
11. [Hitman developers on 25 years of the iconic stealth franchise, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/hitman-25-interview-2025)
12. [The best stealth games you can sneak through in 2026, GamesRadar](https://www.gamesradar.com/best-stealth-games/)
13. [How Hitman 3 Hides a Tutorial, Unsupervised Nerds](https://www.unsupervisednerds.com/reads-full/2021/3/10/how-hitman-3-hides-a-tutorial)
14. [Best Stealth 2021: Hitman 3, PC Gamer](https://www.pcgamer.com/best-stealth-game-hitman-3/)
15. [Hitman III review: Let's call it Hitman 2.5 and be fine with it, Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/01/hitman-iii-review-lets-call-it-hitman-2-5-and-be-fine-with-it/)
16. [Hitman 3 critic reviews, PlayStation 5, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5)
17. [Hitman 3 critic reviews, Xbox Series X, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/game/hitman-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x)
18. [HITMAN World of Assassination - Full Game Walkthrough, YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUzgwXVwErU)
19. [About IO Interactive](https://ioi.dk/en-us/about?panel=job%3Fid%3D6692867)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Video games and digital play › Games and gameplay › Game genres › Action, adventure, and role-playing games › Stealth games*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license