GameTimeline

Release & story order

Hitman timeline

IO Interactive's World of Assassination trilogy from episodic Hitman (2016) through Hitman 2 (2018) and Hitman 3 / World of Assassination (2021)—US release dates, Agent 47 campaign chronology, and how classic Hitman Blood Money and Absolution fit in FAQ.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When IO Interactive shipped each World of Assassination chapter—Hitman Season 1 (March 2016), Hitman 2 (November 2018), Hitman 3 (January 2021). The January 2023 World of Assassination rebrand consolidated all three into Hitman 3 on Steam App 1659040.

  • Newcomers 2026 → Hitman: World of Assassination on Steam (1659040)—includes trilogy access
  • Play order → Hitman 2016 campaign → Hitman 2 → Hitman 3 (same as Story tab)
  • Legacy Steam listings (236870, 863550) delisted—WoA is the buy
  • Classic Blood Money / Absolution → optional; optional nostalgia play
Story order tips

Agent 47's modern trilogy story runs Hitman (2016) → Hitman 2 → Hitman 3—Shadow Client conspiracy through Providence. Classic 2000s–2012 games are separate continuities (optional).

  • WoA arc: Season 1 (Shadow Client) → Hitman 2 (Providence war) → Hitman 3 (finale on Dubai through Mendoza)
  • Patient Zero bonus campaign → optional side arc after Season 1 locations
  • No need to play Blood Money first—WoA is a fresh continuity
  • On Story order, Hitman 3 finale entries may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Hitman (2016)

    Hitman (2016)

    PCPS4Xbox OneStealthMainlineWoA

    Hitman (2016) relaunches Agent 47 in episodic sandboxes—Paris, Sapienza, and the Shadow Client mystery.

    Overview
    IOI’s World of Assassination formula: huge maps, disguise mastery, and live Elusive Targets. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Shadow Client arc opener. Prefer Hitman World of Assassination for 2026 access.
    Should you play it?
    Trilogy start—today usually played inside World of Assassination which packs all locations. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US March 11, 2016 episodic on PC/PS4/Xbox One; full season later. Absorbed into WoA.
  2. Hitman 2

    Hitman 2

    PCPS4Xbox OneStealthMainlineWoA

    Hitman 2 escalates 47 vs Providence—Miami, Colombia, and denser sandbox tools on the same engine.

    Overview
    Adds picture-in-picture scouting, sniper assassin modes, and larger maps to the WOA loop. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Providence war continuation. Play after 2016 season content for story order. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Middle trilogy chapter. Locations unlock inside modern WoA purchases. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US November 13, 2018 on PC, PS4, Xbox One. Content migrates into Hitman 3/WoA.
  3. Hitman 3 / World of Assassination

    Hitman 3 / World of Assassination

    PCPS4PS5Xbox OneXbox SeriesStealthMainlineWoADefinitive

    Hitman 3 / World of Assassination is the trilogy finale—Dubai to Romania—and the current all-in-one platform.

    Overview
    Caps the Providence saga while becoming the unified client that hosts 2016–2021 maps and Freelancer. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    WoA finale + live service modes. Story ends the Shadow Client / Providence war.
    Should you play it?
    Default 2026 buy. Access Passes import prior locations if you do not already own them. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US January 20, 2021 on PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox; rebranded World of Assassination with ongoing updates.

FAQ

Release vs WoA story order, definitive Steam buy, delisted legacy listings, and pre-2016 classics.

Release order

Release order is when Hitman (2016), Hitman 2, and Hitman 3 shipped (2016 → 2018 → 2021). Story order is the same sequence—Agent 47's Shadow Client through Providence arc. No flashback prequels in the WoA trilogy.

Recommended: Purchase Hitman: World of Assassination (Steam App 1659040). Play campaigns in order: Hitman (2016) → Hitman 2 → Hitman 3. All three live inside the WoA client after the 2023 consolidation.

Editions & platforms

In January 2023 IO Interactive rebranded Hitman 3 as Hitman: World of Assassination and imported Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 content into the same app. Steam App 1659040 is the definitive PC purchase—older separate listings were delisted. One client, trilogy campaigns, optional Freelancer mode.

Optional & classics

Hitman: Blood Money (2006) and Hitman: Absolution (2012) are separate story eras—not part of the WoA trilogy entries. Optional nostalgia play: Codename 47 (2000) → Silent Assassin (2002) → Contracts (2004) → Blood Money → Absolution. WoA (2016+) is a soft reboot—start there for the modern arc.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.