April 4th 2025.
Hitman has been a renowned name in the gaming world for over 25 years now. The franchise has evolved over the years, with the most significant change being seen in the 2016 reboot. This reboot introduced a more open-ended, set-piece driven gameplay, with a touch of humor. The game allowed players to trigger a range of zany and contrived "accidents" to eliminate their targets.
The same atmosphere was carried forward in Hitman 2, released two years later, and Hitman 3 in 2021, which was later rebranded as World Of Assassination. This version combined all the content from the three post-reboot titles into a single package, allowing players to explore a variety of new game modes and take advantage of the detailed and sprawling maps filled with opportunities for amusing "Final Destination" style demises.
Hitman 3 also offered a VR version, but it was limited by the technology at the time, especially on PlayStation VR. However, the release on PC and eventually Meta Quest 2 was even more disappointing. The concept of putting players directly into the shoes of Agent 47 was a sound one, but the technology was not advanced enough to support the ambitions of developer IO Interactive.
But now, we are happy to report that the latest VR experience of World Of Assassination is a major step up. The first noticeable improvement is in the visuals, which, although still a bit blurry, are enough to convey the setting and atmosphere. The next significant improvement is the range of interactions available, which are performed using motion controls rather than just pressing a button.
This means that players can now physically strangle a target by squeezing the controllers, and even shake them back and forth to speed up the process. The scope of the sniper rifle also works as expected, unlike the previous version where it brought up a 2D view. The game also allows for more natural movements, making use of the room-scale feature, although playing while seated can be a bit tiresome.
Apart from the enhanced gameplay, the VR version offers a vast amount of content. Players can access every mission from all three games, including various game modes like Freelancer, Sniper Assassin, and Contracts. Each mission offers a broad range of optional challenges, encouraging players to immerse themselves in the intricately designed maps and discover new ways to eliminate their targets.
The game also features cleverly designed side stories and deeper intrigue, which can be uncovered by overhearing conversations and exploring the maps. With so much content available, it is impossible to see everything in a single run, making it a pleasurable experience to keep coming back and unlocking new areas.
However, like any other game, Hitman World Of Assassination VR has its share of glitches and technical issues. There are occasional crashes and moments where the game jumps from first-person to third-person perspective, reminding players that it was not originally designed for VR. Some of the control issues can also be frustrating, but regular saving can help mitigate these problems.
Overall, Hitman World Of Assassination VR is a well-executed port that delivers a more visceral and immersive experience with its motion controls and enhanced visuals. With over a hundred hours of gameplay, it is an essential purchase for fans of the franchise who have a VR headset. It may have some flaws, but it is a rare gem in the current state of VR release schedules.
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In Short: Hitman World Of Assassination VR is a well-executed port that brings motion control and higher resolution visuals to the game, elevating the experience of playing as Agent 47 in a sandbox of global contract killing. With numerous game modes and over a hundred hours of gameplay, it is an essential purchase for fans of the franchise.
Pros: The game offers every mission from all three recent Hitman games, with enhanced visuals and motion controls that deliver a more immersive experience. The various game modes add to the replay value.
Cons: Playing while seated can be tiresome, and there are some control issues and occasional crashes. The game also shows its age in some aspects.
Score: 8/10
Formats: PlayStation VR2 and PC VR
Price: £7.99
Publisher: IO Interactive
Developer: IO Interactive
Release Date: 27th March 2025
Age Rating: 18
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