Few franchises in gaming have nailed the stealth-action formula quite like Hitman. Since the early 2000s, Agent 47 has been taking down high-profile targets across the world in some of the most creative ways imaginable. From disguises and silent takedowns to elaborate environmental kills, Hitman has redefined assassination gameplay time and time again.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, these are the 15 best Hitman games, ranked not just by their impact but also by how well they hold up today.
1. Hitman: World of Assassination
Hitman: World of Assassination is the ultimate package for fans of the franchise. Released in 2023, this game merges Hitman (2016), Hitman 2 (2018), and Hitman 3 into one massive experience, ensuring seamless access to all missions, targets, and game modes in a single platform.
One of its biggest strengths is freedom of approach—you can take down targets however you want, whether through poisoning, sniping, or even creative accidents. The game also features the Freelancer Mode, adding a rogue-like challenge where players must carefully plan and execute assassinations across multiple locations.
Visually, it’s the best-looking Hitman to date, featuring incredible lighting, detailed environments, and smooth animations. With a constantly evolving live-service model, the game continues to receive new content and challenges.
For newcomers, this is the perfect starting point, while veterans can appreciate the culmination of over two decades of Hitman evolution.
2. Hitman 3
Hitman 3 (2021) is the epic conclusion to the World of Assassination trilogy, bringing tighter mechanics, new gadgets, and some of the best levels in the franchise. From the towering heights of the Burj Al-Ghazali in Dubai to the thrilling murder mystery in Dartmoor, every mission feels unique and full of possibilities.
The improved AI and more responsive environments make the game feel even more immersive than its predecessors. The game’s six main missions are expertly crafted, with standout locations like the neon-drenched streets of Chongqing and the intense final level set in the Carpathian Mountains.
Despite being shorter than some past entries, Hitman 3 excels in polishing the series’ core mechanics, ensuring every assassination feels rewarding. If you love stealth gameplay, this is one of the best in the business.
3. Hitman (2016)
After Hitman: Absolution received mixed reactions, Hitman (2016) was a return to the franchise’s roots. It introduced sandbox-style levels, where each map is an open-ended playground filled with assassination opportunities.
Every location, from the fashion show in Paris to the intense mission in Hokkaido, Japan, offers dozens of creative ways to eliminate targets. The Elusive Target system added an extra layer of challenge, with time-limited assassination contracts that required careful planning.
With an emphasis on stealth, creativity, and replayability, Hitman (2016) laid the foundation for the modern Hitman formula, making it an essential title for fans of the series.
4. Hitman 2 (2018)
Building upon Hitman (2016), Hitman 2 (2018) refined its mechanics and added larger maps, smarter AI, and new assassination methods. Locations like Miami’s high-speed race event and Colombia’s lush jungle environment provided fresh, dynamic gameplay challenges.
One of the game’s standout features was the Picture-in-Picture system, which allowed players to see how their actions affected the world in real time. The addition of co-op multiplayer in the Sniper Assassin mode also expanded the game’s replayability.
With improved AI, better level design, and more freedom of execution, Hitman 2 (2018) is one of the best entries in the franchise.
5. Hitman HD Trilogy
Hitman HD Trilogy is a must-have for fans of the early games, offering remastered versions of Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, Hitman: Contracts, and Hitman: Blood Money. These remasters provide enhanced visuals, improved frame rates, and smoother gameplay, making the classic entries more accessible to modern audiences.
The collection retains the challenging level design and open-ended assassinations that made these games so beloved. Silent Assassin introduces Agent 47’s notoriety system, forcing players to be more strategic in their approach. The stealth mechanics and disguise system remain some of the best in the series, offering countless ways to eliminate targets.
Hitman: Contracts stands out for its darker tone and psychological themes, revisiting iconic missions from Hitman: Codename 47 with improved gameplay mechanics. Missions like the meat processing factory and the hotel assassination provide some of the most intense moments in Hitman history.
Meanwhile, Blood Money refines the formula with interactive environments, accident-based kills, and a robust upgrade system. The introduction of signature kills adds another level of creativity, allowing for some of the most cinematic assassinations in the franchise. The game’s AI improvements and mission variety make it the most replayable title in the collection.
For those who want to relive the golden era of Hitman, this collection is an excellent way to experience the evolution of the franchise in one package. Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran, Hitman HD Trilogy remains one of the best ways to enjoy Agent 47’s early years.
6. Hitman HD Enhanced Collection
This collection brings remastered versions of Hitman: Blood Money and Hitman: Absolution, offering improved lighting, 4K resolution, and 60fps gameplay. While Absolution was divisive, Blood Money remains a fan-favorite for its level design and assassination freedom.
The improved textures, lighting, and resolution make both games look significantly better than their original releases. The classic gameplay of Blood Money remains untouched, allowing fans to enjoy its open-ended levels the way they were meant to be played.
Meanwhile, Absolution benefits from the enhanced visuals, making it a more enjoyable experience despite its linear approach. The inclusion of contracts mode, where players can create and share custom assassination challenges, adds replayability to both games.
For newcomers, this collection provides a fantastic way to experience two different eras of Hitman, showcasing both the classic and modern approaches to stealth gameplay. If you’re looking to revisit some of the best Hitman moments in higher quality than ever before, this is the perfect way to do it.
7. Hitman: Blood Money
Hitman: Blood Money is often considered the best game in the classic series, introducing signature kills, better AI, and the notoriety system. Every mission, from infiltrating an opera house to crashing a Christmas party, is designed for maximum creativity.
The game’s notoriety system means that being too reckless will make future missions harder, forcing players to think more strategically. The levels are incredibly diverse, allowing for disguises, poisoning, and even accidents to take down targets in style.
One of the standout missions, “A New Life”, gives players the freedom to assassinate a target in a suburban neighborhood, showcasing the game’s unique sandbox design. Blood Money also introduced the accident system, where players could make deaths look natural, leading to greater immersion.
The game’s economy system, where you earn money to upgrade weapons and buy intel, adds another layer of depth. With engaging missions, a gripping story, and near-endless replayability, Blood Money remains a legendary entry in the franchise.
8. Hitman HD Pack
Containing Hitman 2: Silent Assassin and Hitman: Contracts, this pack is perfect for those who want a classic Hitman experience with a modern touch. It’s an essential collection for longtime fans, offering improved graphics and smoother performance.
The remaster enhances textures, lighting, and frame rates, making these classic titles more accessible to modern audiences. Silent Assassin features some of the series’ most iconic missions, such as the St. Petersburg Stakeout and the Japanese snow fortress infiltration.
Meanwhile, Contracts revisits several key moments from Hitman: Codename 47, refining them with better mechanics. The game’s dark and moody atmosphere makes it one of the most unique entries in the series, focusing on psychological themes.
If you want to experience the early years of Agent 47 in an enhanced format, the Hitman HD Pack delivers classic missions with improved visuals and performance.
9. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
Originally released in 2002, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin is the game that cemented Agent 47’s legacy. With varied mission structures, improved AI, and a compelling narrative, it was a massive leap from the original game.
The game introduced the notoriety system, which penalized players for reckless behavior, encouraging a more stealth-oriented playstyle. The large, open-ended levels gave players multiple ways to execute their targets, from long-range sniping to poisoning drinks.
One of the most iconic missions, “Anathema”, sets the tone for the entire game by allowing you to infiltrate a Sicilian villa with countless ways to approach the assassination. Improved AI mechanics meant guards were more reactive, making each mission feel more challenging.
Its atmospheric soundtrack and unique mission variety make it a must-play for stealth fans. With tight controls, open-ended levels, and one of the best difficulty curves in the series, Silent Assassin remains a beloved classic.
10. Hitman Go
Unlike any other Hitman game, Hitman Go is a turn-based puzzle game that distills the series’ core mechanics into a strategic board game format. It’s a surprisingly fun and challenging take on the franchise, proving that stealth can work even in a puzzle setting.
Each level is designed as a grid-based puzzle, requiring players to think multiple steps ahead. The game remains faithful to the Hitman formula, incorporating disguises, distractions, and environmental kills into its mechanics.
The minimalist art style is stylish and clean, making the game visually unique while maintaining its strategic depth. Missions gradually increase in complexity, requiring players to experiment with different tactics.
For those who enjoy strategic challenges and methodical problem-solving, Hitman Go offers a refreshing take on the franchise. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or a casual player looking for something different, it’s a fun and rewarding experience.
11. Hitman: Absolution
Hitman: Absolution took a different approach from its predecessors, focusing on a more linear, story-driven experience. While some fans disliked its departure from the traditional sandbox gameplay, the game still offered tight stealth mechanics, fluid animations, and an engaging narrative.
The story follows Agent 47 as he goes rogue, protecting a young girl named Victoria while being hunted by his former agency. The game introduced Instinct Mode, which allowed players to track enemy movements and highlight key objects in the environment. The cover-based stealth system made sneaking around more dynamic, allowing for both lethal and non-lethal takedowns.
Despite its more scripted level design, some missions, like the Chinatown assassination and the hotel infiltration, retained the classic Hitman freedom. The game’s cinematic presentation, detailed environments, and polished animations made it one of the most visually impressive entries in the series.
Though it wasn’t universally loved, Hitman: Absolution remains a solid stealth game with a gripping story, showcasing a different side of Agent 47.
12. Hitman: Contracts
Hitman: Contracts is often seen as the darkest game in the series, both in tone and atmosphere. A mix of remastered missions from Hitman: Codename 47 and new assassinations, this entry refined the stealth mechanics and added a more psychological storytelling approach.
The game begins with a wounded Agent 47 hallucinating past missions, creating a fragmented, eerie narrative. Missions like Beldingford Manor and the Meat King’s Party are some of the most chilling and immersive in the franchise, emphasizing brutal assassinations in disturbing environments.
The revamped AI, improved disguise system, and refined gunplay made it one of the best classic-era Hitman games. The darker, moodier soundtrack complemented the more sinister tone, enhancing the feeling of being a ghostly assassin.
With its tight level design, atmospheric storytelling, and refined mechanics, Hitman: Contracts is a must-play for fans who love a gritty, immersive stealth experience.
13. Hitman 3 VR
Taking Hitman into virtual reality, Hitman 3 VR allows players to step into Agent 47’s shoes like never before. This version brings a first-person perspective, making every assassination feel even more personal and immersive.
The VR mode supports the entire World of Assassination trilogy, meaning you can replay missions from Hitman (2016) and Hitman 2 in VR. Sneaking behind guards, throwing objects, and using disguises feels more intense than ever, as you must physically move and interact with the environment.
The ability to use real-world hand movements for combat and stealth adds a new layer of depth to the gameplay. While some controls feel clunky at times, the VR immersion makes assassinations feel more realistic and rewarding.
For those who want to experience Hitman in a whole new way, Hitman 3 VR is an exciting and unique take on the series.
14. Hitman 2: Sniper Assassin – Knight and Stone
Unlike traditional Hitman games, Hitman 2: Sniper Assassin – Knight and Stone is a standalone sniper-based experience, where players take on long-range assassination challenges.
Instead of sneaking around, players eliminate targets from a distance, using environmental traps, bullet penetration, and precise timing. Playing as the duo Knight and Stone, you must work together to execute high-profile targets without raising suspicion.
The game introduces co-op multiplayer, allowing two players to coordinate shots and eliminate enemies in sync. With varied mission objectives and dynamic AI, every sniper mission requires careful planning and patience.
For fans who love sniping-focused gameplay, Hitman 2: Sniper Assassin is a thrilling change of pace from traditional stealth mechanics.
15. Hitman 2: Sniper Assassin
Similar to the Knight and Stone version, Hitman 2: Sniper Assassin offers long-range assassinations but focuses on Agent 47’s perspective. This mode tests precision and strategic thinking, allowing players to set up elaborate sniper kills from hidden locations.
The game features multiple assassination challenges, such as using the environment to take down targets unnoticed. The realistic ballistics and bullet physics add to the immersion, requiring players to account for distance, wind, and timing.
Unlike traditional Hitman games, this version is entirely sniper-focused, making it a great option for players who love slow, methodical assassinations. The puzzle-like design of missions forces players to think ahead, setting up chains of events to eliminate multiple targets at once.
For those who enjoy sniping challenges, Hitman 2: Sniper Assassin provides one of the most rewarding long-range assassination experiences in the series.
Final Thoughts
The Hitman series has evolved tremendously over the years, from its classic stealth roots to modern open-ended assassination sandboxes. Whether you prefer the sandbox freedom of Hitman: World of Assassination, the cinematic storytelling of Hitman: Absolution, or the gritty tone of Hitman: Contracts, there is a Hitman game for every type of player.
Some games in the series have taken risks, like Hitman Go’s puzzle-style approach or Hitman 3 VR’s immersive first-person experience. Others, like Blood Money and Silent Assassin, remain timeless classics that defined stealth gaming.
With deep mechanics, intricate level design, and endless replayability, the Hitman franchise continues to be one of the best stealth-action series of all time. No matter which entry you start with, stepping into the shoes of Agent 47 is always a thrilling experience.
If you love creative assassinations, strategic planning, and high-stakes stealth gameplay, any of these 15 best Hitman games will deliver an unforgettable experience.
