HITMAN: FREELANCER is a new game mode that has been added to Hitman 3, adding a roguelike twist to the series. Learn more in our HITMAN: FREELANCER review!
HITMAN: FREELANCER is a new game mode that has been added to Hitman 3, adding a roguelike twist to the series. It’s now 2023, and Hitman 3 has turned into Hitman: World of Assassination, a name previously used for the series on Google Stadia – R.I.P. A new name is not the only thing we’re getting because on top of Hitman 3, the first two games have also been rolled into the package so that we can enjoy 2016’s Hitman and 2018’s Hitman 2. On top of all of that, a new game mode has been added to the package: HITMAN: Freelancer. It’s because of HITMAN: Freelancer that we’re revisiting the franchise.
What HITMAN: Freelancer does is add some new gameplay twists to the original HITMAN formula. The main gameplay options have Agent 47 as part of a larger agency, which means he has access to a variety of gadgets and additional intel that are of great use. HITMAN: Freelancer is a more independent experience, so you’ll have to get your hands dirty to be able to climb to the top. You’ll have to build and maintain an arsenal of gear, pick what you should bring into each mission, and make the most of the limited gear capacity at your disposal.
Gamers are also afforded some extra freedom by giving them a choice as to what Syndicate you’ll be going up against, as you go in without a handler, making choices on the go with the available intel and the tools that you selected for your loadout. Strategic planning is key since you won’t really know what you’ll be going up against until you’re waist-deep in it. There’s no scripted story segment to take on, pointing you in the general right direction as you move closer to your target.
It’s best to start your journey in the Prologue section since it serves as a general training segment that will teach you all of the basics that you need to know to enjoy your time with this one. You’ll control Agent 47 with the left analog stick, using the right one to move the camera as needed. If you press and hold down the L1 button, you’ll be able to run. The X button can be used to vault over small obstacles. You can subdue someone by sneaking up behind them and pressing the Square button. After doing this, you can press the X button to disguise yourself with their clothes.
When doing this, you need to be careful, since if someone finds a body just lying around, you could soon find yourself in a world of trouble! This is why you should always try to find a place to stash a body so that no one can find it right away. A disguise is a good option for sneaking into areas you would otherwise not be able to reach, but they’re not perfect. Some characters can pose a threat. They’re known in-game as enforcers, and it’s their nature to question everything that happens around them.
To give you an example of this, allow me to briefly discuss part of the first training mission you’ll take on. You need to gain access to a particular area, but your current clothes are a dead giveaway that you shouldn’t be there in the first place. If you walk around for a bit, you’ll find a mechanic that can be subdued. After doing this, you grab his clothes and work your way to the loading area. Regular crew won’t be suspicious of you, but the character with the enforcer trait – who happens to be the guy running the whole operation – most certainly will. He knows his crew, so if you enter his line of sight, your cover will be blown wide open.
You can press and hold down the R1 button to activate your instinct, which will make it possible to highlight points of interest, all characters in the area, as well as your target. Pressing the L2 button will allow you to aim with your weapon, which you can then fire with the R2 button. If you’re currently holding something that can be thrown, then that is the action that will be performed.
Because of how Hitman 3 now includes both previous games, that means there are a ton of trophies for you to work on! Hitman 3 proper includes a full trophy list with a Platinum trophy. That list includes 18 Bronze trophies, 16 Silver trophies, and a single Gold trophy. The first two Hitman games – and the Hitman 2 Expansion – are treated as DLC for Hitman 3. Because of this, the list for Hitman is a shorter one, and it includes 13 Bronze trophies. The same applies to the Hitman 2 list. As for the Hitman 2 Expansion, that one has 10 Bronze trophies.
If you’re a fan of the HITMAN series, then now is the perfect time to jump into HITMAN World of Assassination. You’ll get all of HITMAN 3, along with 2016’s HITMAN and 2018 HITMAN 2, along with the new HITMAN: Freelancer update that adds a roguelike twist to the franchise. HITMAN World of Assassination is available as a Cross-Buy title, so your $69.99 purchase will give you both the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 5 versions. You can also purchase the HITMAN World of Assassination Deluxe Pack for an extra $29.99, which adds the following content to your collection:
HITMAN 2 Premium Content
– 2x Locations (New York & Haven Island)
– 2 x Sniper Assassin maps (Hantu Port & Siberia)
– Winter Sports Pack
– Smart Casual Pack
– Executive Pack
– Collector’s Pack
– Special Assignments Pack 1 + 2
HITMAN 3 Premium Content
– 6x Deluxe Escalation Contracts
– Deluxe Suits and Items
– Digital Soundtracks
– Digital “World of HITMAN” Book
– Director Commentary (Mission Introduction)
Seven Deadly Sins Collection
– Act 1: Greed
– Act 2: Pride
– Act 3: Sloth
– Act 4: Lust
– Act 5: Gluttony
– Act 6: Envy
– Act 7: Wrath
Disclaimer
This Hitman Freelancer review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by IO Interactive.
