World of Assassination trilogy which began in 2016 with Hitman. So far, the trilogy has provided players with 21 different sandbox-style levels that deliver dozens of hours of exploration. Along with his weapons and disguises, Agent 47, has an arsenal of gadgets that make assassinations easier. These gadgets can be unlocked by completing different gameplay challenges, which then allows 47 to bring them on mission. It's always worth knowing which gadgets to target.
Agent 47 isn't 007, (although Hitman developer and publisher IO Interactive is working on a James Bond game), so high-tech gadgets aren't really his style. Instead, 47 mostly relies on his chameleon-like ability to impersonate almost anyone and blend into the crowd, allowing him to get close enough to his targets to strike. Most gadgets in Hitman games serve one of two functions: they allow 47 to access restricted areas, like the lockpick does, or they can manipulate NPC positions, like the Remote Audio Distraction.
So, like previous Hitman titles, Hitman 3 doesn't provide 47 with an array of futuristic gizmos. The biggest new addition is the camera. Otherwise, most of the gadgets are re-skinned versions of ones that have appeared in both Hitman 1 and Hitman 2. Players who have already unlocked gadgets and transferred their progress over to Hitman 3 will likely already have gear that performs the same functions. But for new players to the Hitman franchise, these are all essential tools in 47's repertoire.
All The Gadgets Hitman 3 Adds To 47's Arsenal
- Camera. Unlike the other gadgets, 47's camera is an essential item unlocked from the beginning of the game, and it automatically accompanies 47 on every mission. It has many uses, and, like any camera, it takes pictures. 47 can take photos to satisfy various mission requirements, like taking a photo as proof that target has been incapacitated. It's also an evidence scanner, especially during the Dartmoor mission. 47 can also unlock certain doors and windows by pointing the camera at them. The camera also serves as the closest thing Hitman 3 has to a photo mode. The game will usually tell 47 when it's time to use the camera. Otherwise, it can be easy to forget.
- Proximity Explosive Mk III. Unlockable at Dubai Mastery Level 20, this is a classic proximity mine that activates when enemies are nearby. Since its use depends on the enemy's movements, it's less precise than a remote bomb. On the other hand, 47 doesn't have to be nearby to activate it.
- Lockpick Mk III. This is the third iteration of the lockpick in the World of Assassination trilogy. It can be acquired by reaching Mastery Level 2 of the Dartmoor level. Functionally, it's no different from the other lockpicks, but does have "the signature Mk III look." Lockpicks are useful for opening locked analog doors, as well as safety deposit boxes that contain useful items, like those found in the Dubai level.
- Remote Audio Distraction Mk III. The third remote audio distraction is unlocked at Dartmoor Mastery Level 10. It's a remotely activated noisemaker that lures nearby guards to investigate. Unfortunately, they will also notice it when it's not activated, limiting its usefulness. Hitman 2's Micro Audio Distraction is a more versatile version of this gadget.
- ICA Remote Micro Taser. This is one of the rare all-new gadgets in Hitman 3. It's unlockable by reaching Mastery Level 2 in the Berlin level. Any gadget labeled "Micro" means that guards won't notice it after 47 deploys it, making this one an improvement on Hitman 2's ICA Remote Taser. Even though it's a taser, it always delivers a lethal shock, and it's remotely triggered, making it an effective way to kill unnoticed. It also makes it easier to achieve electrocution kills by placing the Remote Taser in a puddle of water. This satisfies the "Accident" assassination challenge, which is available on every level.
- ICA Remote Explosive Mk III. The third version of 47's remote bomb can be unlocked by reaching Level 5 Mastery in Berlin. It also kills remotely, but the larger size means guards will become suspicious if they see it. The Remote Explosive Mk III is useful for unnoticed kills, especially when there are multiple targets clustered together.
- Flash Grenade Mk III. Here's the third flash grenade available to 47, unlockable at Level 13 in Berlin. Flashbangs don't incapacitate or kill targets, just blind them, which gives 47 a small window of opportunity to punch them out cold. Usually that would be the kind of aggressive move that Hitman games would punish, but it can be useful situationally, for example if there's a guard who's in the way and can't be distracted or manipulated in any other manner - just make sure there aren't any other guards within earshot.
- Remote Explosive Devil Rubber Duck. Yep, Hitman 3 brought back the exploding rubber duck, and this time it's satanic and unlockable at Level 20 Mastery in Berlin. The duck works much like the ICA Remote Explosive Mk III, except guards don't become alarmed when they spot it. Instead, they just become curious, pick it up, and remove it to a secure location - but the bomb can still be detonated while it's in their pocket. Since assassination targets will notice it, too, just toss it in their way, wait for them to pick it up, and press the button for an easy guaranteed kill.
- Electronic Key Hacker Mk III. The third generation of electronic keyhackers available to 47 can be unlocked at Level 2 Mastery in the Chongqing Level. These can hack electronic doors. Reaching Level 2 Mastery isn't difficult, but since some levels don't have electronic doors, and since most doors can be circumvented by other means anyway, this gadget doesn't have much utility, but it can make getting to certain destinations much faster.
- ICA Pen Syringe Emetic. Unlockable at Chongqing Mastery Level 5, this is a big improvement on older emetic gadgets in Hitman. All emetics induce vomiting, which is useful in many Hitman games because it forces the target to flee to the nearest restroom. That isolates them and allows 47 to silently kill them, possibly via drowning them in the toilet if he chooses. Because this one is in pen form, 47 can carry it openly without attracting suspicion.
- ICA Proximity Concussive Device Mk III. A proximity concussion mine that's unlockable at Chongqing Mastery Level. It only knocks out enemies instead of killing them, but since this is an explosive it's useful for non-lethally eliminating groups of patrolling guards. The only downsides are the proximity-trigger, which means it doesn't have as much control as a remote bomb does, and the fact that guards will be suspicious of it.
Those are all the new gadgets in the game. As with the two previous titles in the Hitman trilogy, once they have been unlocked they can be brought along on any mission, including those in Hitman 1 and 2. While many of them are just cosmetic upgrades, some of them, like the emetic pen and the micro taser, offer new tactical possibilities in Hitman 3 and beyond. Happy hunting.
