In HITMAN 3, the approach to starting missions has changed. But it’s more of an experiment, like the mid-level story cutscenes in Season 2. Linear sections have appeared that give the impression that we are playing The Evil Within or any other story game than in a sandbox on a huge location. To get into the familiar open area, you have to find a way to it and listen to plot dialogues. Players in the first two seasons may not understand what’s going on at first and get stuck at the beginning of one mission for a short time.
But there are missions in HITMAN 3 in which the veterans of the series can feel like a fish in water. For example, a task in China: the Blue Lotus detachments, familiar to us from Codename 47, which means that the map has open roofs and a sniper rifle. Realizing this, you involuntarily break into a smile. But after 20-30 minutes, when it turns out that underground there is a huge biome with laboratories, you come to a little shock from the size of the location as a whole.
The structure of locations in HITMAN 3 has become much more complex. The Freedom Fighters from Season 1 will seem like a tutorial compared to the levels from Season 3. It will take a lot of time to study them. Each episode has several storyline tasks at once, which require the player to be smart and observant. The problem can always be solved in many completely different ways.
Speaking of the latter, it should be recalled that shortcuts are being introduced into the game for the first time. There are 2-3 of them at each level. These “slices” will allow you to permanently open access to quickly move to the desired site, bypassing the difficult section with security and cameras. Shortcuts can be stairs and doors. But, unfortunately, it is possible to open them only with a crowbar – shooting and explosions do not allow opening the lock. Although this is not so important, the game is designed in such a way that you will replay the mission over and over again to unlock new challenges, eliminate Elusive targets, or simply go through select contracts with Aggravations.
Another new feature in HITMAN 3 is a camera that Agent 47 takes with him on every mission. The gadget does not take up a planning slot and allows you to reveal certain hidden paths. Whether it is a window or a hole in the ventilation, you will use this device often. And the camera is also allowed to be used to take screenshots, but it does not replace a full-fledged photomode due to strong restrictions. These innovations were not presented in the first two seasons, and it is not entirely clear why it was impossible to edit the old levels, as it was done when the tall grass was introduced in the second season.
As for the rest of the gadgets and weapons, the finals are fine. Almost the entire old arsenal will return to the game, and the developers will add more on top. For example, a new sniper rifle with all the improvements will become a favorite weapon among regular players. Many items have been edited and redrawn, new visual effects have been added. For example, three types of poison have their own color when activated for a glass. Green smoke means that you used rat poison, red for deadly, blue for sedative.
The progression system was slightly modified and made easier. Previously, in order to open a certain gadget, you had to complete a specific test, now these things are unlocked for the general level of skill. It’s enough just to play and do challenges in any order, and when you reach a certain level, you will receive new gadgets.
