Getting Started

Overview

Hitman 3 (2021) is the final chapter of the World of Assassination trilogy. You play as Agent 47, a genetically engineered assassin. There is no character creation—47’s appearance, voice, and backstory are fixed. Your goal: eliminate high-profile targets using stealth, disguise, and creativity. The game emphasizes replayability with multiple approaches per mission. As a beginner, the first hour can be overwhelming; this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to hit the ground running.

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First Hour Walkthrough

Your first session should proceed as follows:

1. Launch the game and watch the opening cinematic (skippable).
2. Main Menu – Select “Campaign” → “World of Assassination”.
3. Play the Prologue: The game forces you to complete the ICA Facility tutorial. This consists of:
- Freeform Training: A small, safe environment where you learn movement, hiding, distractions, and assassinations. Optional objectives teach you key mechanics.
- The Final Test: A full mission with two targets. Here you practice using disguises, poison, and accident kills.
4. After the Prologue, the game unlocks the full campaign. Do not rush to the next mission – spend time in the ICA Facility to experiment.
5. First real mission: “The Showstopper” in Paris. But as a beginner, first replay the ICA Facility to unlock more tools and mastery. (You can access all training via “Destinations” → “ICA Facility” from the main menu.)

Key tip: Save often. Press F5 (PC) or the equivalent button on console to quick save. Manual saves are also available. Saving before risky actions prevents frustration.

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Controls & Platform Specifics

Below are the default controls for each platform. You can remap them in settings.

PC (Keyboard & Mouse)

PC (Controller – Xbox / PlayStation layout)

PlayStation 4 & 5

Same as controller above. Use touchpad for instinct / menu shortcuts.

Xbox One & Series X|S

Same as controller above. Use View button for instinct.

Nintendo Switch (Cloud version)

Same controller layout as Xbox (A/B swapped). Important: Save often because cloud streaming has occasional input lag; rely on stealth rather than reaction.

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UI & HUD Overview

• Minimap (top-left): Shows guard patrols (cones of vision), points of interest, and your current location. Green icons = neutral NPCs, red = hostile.


• Instinct Meter (under health bar): Drains while using Instinct (Q / R1 / RB). Use Instinct to see enemies through walls, highlight interactive objects, and reveal disguise enforcers (dotted outlines).


• Health Bar: Only appears when damaged. Health regenerates slowly if you hide.


• Inventory Slots (bottom center): Quick-access items (pistol, fiber wire, lockpick, coins). Hold the corresponding number (PC) or use D-pad to cycle.


• Objective Tracker (top-right): Current mission goals and optional challenges.


• Opportunity Prompts: White text near NPCs or items hint at mission stories. Following them leads to scripted elimination methods.


• Alert Status: Center of screen shows “Suspicious” (yellow) or “Compromised” (red) when spotted. If yellow, break line of sight and hide briefly. If red, you’ve been fully detected; either eliminate the witness or restart.


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Essential Early Objectives



As a new player, focus on these goals:

1. Complete the ICA Facility Training (both freeform and final test). Unlocks basic equipment and teaches core mechanics.
2. Unlock the Lockpick – After training, replay the ICA Facility to earn mastery level 5. This gives you a lockpick (invaluable for shortcuts).
3. Complete your first mission (Paris) using Mission Stories. These are guided, safe assassination methods. Follow the “Meeting the Director” story or “The Only Way Out” for a simple kill.
4. Master Silent Assassin basics: Don’t be spotted doing illegal acts (killing, dragging bodies, trespassing). Only kill targets; use non-lethal subdues for guards.
5. Experiment with disguises – Every area has multiple outfits. The more you change, the more areas open up.
6. Loot everything – Collect coins, crowbars, screwdrivers, keys, and explosives. These become essential tools.

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What to Do First & What to Avoid





✅ Do First



• Play the tutorial thoroughly – It’s short and forgiving.


• Use Instinct often – Especially when entering new rooms to spot enforcers.


• Save before any assassination – Quick save (F5 / Back+L3 / etc.) so you can reload if things go wrong.


• Follow mission stories – They give step-by-step prompts (white text). Complete them to unlock additional starting locations and gear.


• Explore each level – Look for hidden paths, vents, ledges, and breakable windows.


• Drag bodies into closets or containers – Unconscious or dead bodies left in the open cause suspicion.


• Use distractions – Coins (throw near a guard) or items (throw to break stuff) to steer NPCs away.




❌ What to Avoid



• Running everywhere – NPCs notice rapid movement. Walk unless in a quiet area.


• Open combat – You are fragile; two bullets can kill you. If detected, run and hide rather than fight.


• Shooting non-targets – Every kill counts against your score. Aim for non-lethal.


• Ignoring disguises – Trespassing areas turn red; a correct disguise changes that.


• Overusing deadly force – Accidents (drowning, falling objects, poison) are clean and don’t break Silent Assassin.


• Rushing the mission – Take your time. Observe patrol patterns, listen to NPC conversations, and plan your move.

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Early Resource Priorities

Priority: Unlock the lockpick first, then the poison vial (from The Final Test mastery). After that, focus on gear that fits your playstyle: explosives for distraction or noisy kills; sniper rifles for long-range; fiber wire for quiet dispatches.

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Common Beginner Mistakes

1. Not saving often – One mistake (e.g., leaving a body visible) can ruin the whole mission. Save every few minutes.
2. Ignoring Instinct – Enforcers (disguise-checkers) will see through your disguise. Use Instinct to spot them (they have a dotted outline).
3. Running past cameras – Cameras record your face; if seen, guards will become alert. Always shoot cameras or disable them (with screwdriver/EMP) before breaching areas.
4. Assassinating in front of witnesses – Even if you are disguised, killing someone in sight of another NPC will cause a panic and detection. Always isolate targets or use accidents.
5. Not using distractions – Coins are infinite (if you pick them up again). Use them to move guards out of your path.
6. Holding a weapon in public – Equipping a pistol or knife in view of NPCs makes them suspicious. Holster your weapon (press 1 or hold Q) unless you intend to use it.
7. Forgetting to change back to an open disguise – If you KO a guard and wear his clothes, you’ll be enforcer-seen if you stay in that area. Swap to an appropriate civilian outfit when leaving restricted zones.
8. Overcomplicating the first runs – Just complete the objective any way possible. Score is irrelevant at first. Replay later for Silent Assassin.

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Day-One Checklist

☐ Install the game and any available updates (World of Assassination patch).
☐ Access the Prologue from the main menu (ICA Facility).
☐ Complete Freeform Training – learn movement, hiding, distraction, and assassination.
☐ Complete The Final Test – use poison, accident, and fiber wire to kill both targets.
☐ Replay ICA Facility until mastery level 5 to unlock the Lockpick.
☐ Set up controls to your preference (remap keys if needed).
☐ Practice Quick Save / Quick Load (F5/F9 on PC; Back+L3 / Touchpad+L3 on consoles).
☐ Watch the “Starting Locations and Gear” tutorial in the pause menu.
☐ Launch Paris: The Showstopper – follow the “Meeting the Director” mission story for a safe kill.
☐ Save at least every 3 minutes.
☐ After first Paris playthrough, return to ICA Facility to unlock more gear (e.g., poison vial, silenced pistol).
☐ Explore Chongqing (optional) – a smaller map that teaches verticality and hacking. But Paris is the traditional start.

Final advice: Hitman 3 is about patience and observation. Treat it like a puzzle – you have all the time in the world. Enjoy the journey, and don’t stress over scores initially. Replay levels multiple times to discover new opportunities. Welcome to the World of Assassination.