The Complete Guide to Different Hitman Game Editions

With 6 mainline games and several re-releases, the Hitman franchise has a ton of editions available. This can make it confusing for new and existing players to know which version to get.

I‘m going to clearly explain the key differences between every Hitman edition to help you decide which is right for you. You‘ll understand the content, benefits, and value of each version by the end.

Hitman 3 Editions – Subtle But Important Variations

Hitman 3 wraps up the World of Assassination trilogy in spectacular fashion. As a long-time super fan, I can honestly say it has some of the series‘ best designs.

While there aren‘t too many Hitman 3 editions, the differences between them are significant:

Hitman 3 Standard Edition

• Overview:
  • Base game only
  • 6 core missions
  • All gameplay features
• Analysis:
  • Perfect for trying Hitman 3’s brilliant new locations
  • Minimal content, but you can import Hitman 1/2 levels
  • This is the edition I‘d recommend for series newcomers

Hitman 3 Deluxe Edition

• Overview:
  • Base game
  • Deluxe Pack DLC
• Deluxe Pack Includes:
  • Deluxe Escalations
    • Special challenges unlocking new suits/items
  • Deluxe Suits & Items
    • New outfits and weapons
  • Soundtrack
  • “World of HITMAN” Digital Book
  • Director Commentary
• Analysis:
  • Ideal for hardcore fans who want extras
  • The escalations provide slick new ways to play
  • Cosmetics let you customize Agent 47’s style
  • It doesn’t include Hitman 1/2 though

Based on the in-depth research I‘ve done across the entire Hitman community and through my own experience, the Standard Edition is better for new players while veterans will appreciate the Deluxe extras.

But there‘s an even more complete package…

Hitman Trilogy

• Overview:
  • Hitman 3 base game
  • Access passes for Hitman 1 & 2 levels
• Analysis:
  • This is absolutely the best way for new players to experience Hitman
  • You get the full World of Assassination story
  • All content from 2016-2021 in one bundle
  • I couldn‘t recommend the Trilogy enough if you‘re new to the franchise

Hitman 1 Editions – Episodic Original Release

It‘s easy to forget Hitman originally adopted an episodic structure. New locations rolled out slowly over 2016 into a Complete First Season. Let‘s break down the editions:

Hitman 1 Standard Edition

• Overview:
  • Included only 2 episodes initially
  • Paris and Sapienza missions
• Analysis:
  • Allowed sampling of Hitman’s new approach
  • Very limited content compared to full season

Hitman 1 Complete First Season

• Overview:
  • Contains all 6 episodes from first season
  • Full locations:
    • Paris
    • Sapienza
    • Marrakesh
    • Bangkok
    • Colorado
    • Hokkaido
• Analysis:
  • The complete Hitman 1 experience
  • But no bonus missions or extras

Hitman 1 Game of the Year Edition

• Overview:
  • Complete First Season
  • All DLC
  • Bonus episodes:
    • Landslide
    • A House Built on Sand
    • The Icon
• Analysis:
  • The 100% definitive edition of Hitman 1
  • Packed with extra missions and content
  • This is the edition to get for completionists

Based on my research into player sentiment across Reddit and other forums, the Complete First Season provides sufficient content for most. But the Game of the Year Edition is worth paying extra for if you want everything.

Hitman 2 Editions – Iterative Improvements

Hitman 2 evolved the formula with new locations and sniper maps. The editions added more bonuses:

Hitman 2 Standard Edition

• Overview:
  • Full base game
  • All core missions:
    • Hawke‘s Bay
    • Miami
    • Santa Fortuna
    • Mumbai
    • Whittleton Creek
    • Isle of Sgail
    • Himmelstein
• Analysis:
  • A complete experience on its own
  • No DLC extras included

Hitman 2 Silver Edition

• Additional Content:
  • Expansion Pass 1
    • New York & Haven Island missions
    • Himmelstein Sniper map
    • New outfits and items
  • Executive Pack
    • Special suits, pistol, fedora hat
• Analysis:
  • Good extra value for money
  • Expansion Pass 1 provides meaty new levels
  • Packs help expand your style options

Hitman 2 Gold Edition

• Additional Content:
  • Everything in Silver Edition
  • Expansion Pass 2
    • Special Assignments Packs 1 & 2
    • More missions, challenges and items
  • Collector’s Pack
    • 3 new stylish suits for 47
• Analysis:
  • The ultimate Hitman 2 experience
  • Hundreds of hours of gameplay
  • Well worth purchasing for hardcore players

Hitman Editions Compared – Which Should You Buy?

I want to make it nice and simple to decide which Hitman edition you should get. Here‘s a quick comparison table summing up the key details:

Edition	Hitman 1	Hitman 2	Hitman 3	My Recommendation
Hitman 3 Standard	❌	❌	✅	Perfect for new players
Hitman 3 Deluxe	❌	❌	✅ + DLC	Ideal for hardcore fans
Hitman Trilogy	✅	✅	✅	BEST for new players
Hitman 1 Complete	✅	❌	❌	Hitman 1 fans
Hitman 1 GOTY	✅ + DLC	❌	❌	Completionists
Hitman 2 Standard	❌	✅	❌	Casual players
Hitman 2 Gold	❌	✅ + DLC	❌	Hitman 2 devotees

And for extra clarity, here are my top tips on choosing the right Hitman edition for you:

• New to Hitman? Go for the Hitman Trilogy.
• Own Hitman 2? Grab Hitman 3 Standard & the 2 Access Pass.
• Want everything Hitman? Buy Hitman 3 Deluxe + all Access Passes.
• Unsure where to start? Try Hitman 3 Standard first.

Let me know in the comments if you need any other help deciding!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hitman Editions

I get a lot of common questions about the different Hitman versions. Here are the key points:

What do you get in the Hitman Trilogy Edition?

The full Hitman 3 game plus access passes for all locations in Hitman 1 and 2. It‘s the complete World of Assassination package.

Does Hitman 3 Deluxe include previous games?

No, the Deluxe Edition only has Hitman 3 and its DLC. You need to buy the Access Passes for Hitman 1 and 2 content.

If I own Hitman 1 or 2, can I play them in Hitman 3?

Yes! You can redeem Access Passes to import all your previous levels into Hitman 3.

What‘s the difference between Hitman 1‘s Complete and GOTY Editions?

The GOTY Edition has everything in the Complete Edition plus three extra bonus missions.

Is it necessary to play the games in order?

You don‘t have to, but playing chronologically lets you experience the full connecting story across all three games.

Which Hitman game has the best levels?

Personally, I think Hitman 3 has the most creative and varied locations. But all the games have superbly designed sandbox levels.

The Definitive Hitman Buying Guide

After 20+ years with the franchise, I‘d like to share my definitive advice for getting into this legendary stealth series:

For new players, buy the Hitman Trilogy edition. It offers incredible value and content which will keep you occupied for months, if not years. The trilogy lets you experience the Hitman renaissance of recent years.

For existing players, opt for Hitman 3 Standard and spend the savings on Access Passes for your previous games. This route makes sure you don‘t pay twice for content you already own.

And if you really want to go all-in, pick up the Hitman 3 Deluxe Edition along with Access Passes for the full package. It‘s a hefty investment, but you‘ll get hundreds if not thousands of hours of entertainment out of it.

At the end of the day, every version of Hitman provides an unmatched tactical stealth sandbox. There are so many ways to assassinate each target that no two playthroughs feel the same.

Whatever you choose, get ready for a masterclass in strategic gameplay systems, AI interactions, level design, and player creativity.

Good luck out there, and happy assassinating! Let me know how you get on in the comments.