As the first quarter of 2021 comes to a close, one of the year’s most critically acclaimed titles so far isHitman 3, the latest in IO Interactive’s long running stealth-action franchise and the end of its latest “World of Assassination” trilogy. This trilogy started with the 2016 episodic Hitman reboot and continued with 2018’sHitman 2, which launched as a full game. Shortly after the release of both games IO released starter packs, which included the first map of each games, playable entirely for free. Now, only two months after the release ofHitman 3, IO has announcedHitman 3’s free starter pack, which is only available for a limited time.
TheHitmanreboot trilogy started in 2016 with the release of “The Showstopper,” the game’s Paris map on March 11th 2016, and concluded with “Sitius Inversus,” the game’s Hokkaido map, on October 31st 2016. The game was criticized for its use of an episodic release structure, which the developers intended to give the game longevity and allow players to experiment with the game’s maps. Shortly afterHitman’s completion, Square Enix announced that it would no longer be publishing the series andtransferring the IP to IO Interactive. This led to Warner Bros. Interactive publishingHitman 2in 2018, which shipped as a full game.Hitman 3launched in January 2021 and was self-published by IO Interactive.
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In a blog post, IO Interactive revealed thatHitman 3’s Starter Pack, which will be available from March 30th to April 5th, will include the ICA Facility tutorial mission from the first entry in the rebooted series, as well asHitman 2’s opening mission set in New Zealand. The main focus of the Starter Pack will beHitman 3’s opening Dubai mission, which highlights the new features introduced in IO Interactive’s newest entry includingDark Soulsstyle shortcuts and a camera that can be used to activate electronic devices. All XP gained in the Starter Pack will also be transferred into the full games for those who choose to purchase it after playing the Dubai mission.
IO also revealed in the blog post that it plans to release more free content forHitman 3throughout 2021, and thatany of the content that it releaseswill also be free toHitman 3players. This could include the developer releasing maps for previousHitmantitles being accessible toHitman 3players who do not own theHitmanorHitman 2Legacy Packs. Players of the Starter Pack can also transfer their progress fromHitmanandHitman 2toHitman 3using IO’s progression carryover website. Owners ofHitmanandHitman 2can also redeem the Legacy Packs forHitman 3and access that content withinHitman 3while theHitman 3Starter Pack is available. PlayStation 4 players can also access both old and new levels in VR through PlayStation VR.
Hitman 3is available now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
