Dedicated VR Hitman 3 Game Is Coming To The Meta Quest 3 - Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded

In yet another recent release following the trend of big IPs and higher quality titles coming to the Meta Quest before other platforms, Hitman 3 VR has been announced specifically for the Meta Quest 3, likely to try and take advantage of that headset’s greater processing and display capabilities when compared to older Meta Quest devices.

Sorry Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro enjoyers, I guess this one is not for you… at least yet.

For this Hitman title dedicated to Virtual Reality, UK based XR Games has partnered with Hitman series developer IO Interactive. They’re making a version of Hitman 3 built completely from the ground up for Virtual Reality, not the terrible halfway finished feeling PCVR port that we’re used to.

From the name of the game, we can possibly assume that the missions you’ll be able to take within it will be the same as the original Hitman 3. Though officially the only reference I’ve found is this from the Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded store page.

“Agent 47 returns as the world’s top assassin for the most important contracts of his entire career.”

— HITMAN 3: RELOADED VR META STORE PAGE

So the breadth of what content will be available is up to interpretation, though the studio has promised a bevy of features that you can tack on to what you might already expect of a Hitman VR game, which I’ll quote for you from their press release here.

“● Dual-Wielding: A series first, HITMAN 3 VR: Reloaded introduces dual-wielding, allowing players to use two weapons or items simultaneously, adding a new dimension to strategic gameplay.

● A brand new cel-shaded art-style: See Agent 47 in a whole new light with a stunning new cel-shaded visual style.

● Enhanced Interactivity: Experience a new level of realism with interactive environments that respond to every action.

● Overhauled user interface: HITMAN 3’s UI has been completely redesigned for VR, ensuring intuitive control and navigation.

● Improved movement options: HITMAN 3 VR: Reloaded now offers fluid and natural locomotion options, making it easier than ever to navigate complex environments with speed and stealth.

● Many more improvements throughout: From visual enhancements to refined gameplay mechanics, this is the most immersive untethered HITMAN VR experience to date.”

— XR Games

The cell-shaded art is probably more to keep the game looking good while not setting a Meta Quest 3 on fire, but these features do sound very enticing.

Of course it’s not uncommon for press releases to overhype features that may or may not be useful or even apparent in the finished product, like Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice claiming to have an open world in an almost entirely linear game. In games, and really most media, this is a tale as old as time though.

As usual, I’m actually very optimistic about Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded. The studio behind it seems pretty solid from their previous work on titles such as Jurassic World: Aftermath. However, a lot of the titles from this studio seem to be far smaller potatoes than the first Hitman game completely set in Virtual Reality. Most of them are smaller experiences like a cornhole game, a pool game, or a cashgrabby feeling Zombieland VR game.

The question remains, will XR Games deliver the high quality Hitman VR game that would be amazing to experience in VIrtual Reality? We’re ready for a HItman VR game, but will we get one that matches our expectations of the franchise?

I guess we’ll have to find out soon, as Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded is slated to release in the Summer of 2024 for 29.99$ on the Meta Quest store. You can preorder it before release for a 10% discount.