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 → FAQ only; 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 (FAQ only).

  • 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 rows 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

    Episodic reboot—sandbox assassination from Paris to Hokkaido; Shadow Client mystery begins.

    Overview
    IO's episodic sandbox formula—Elusive Targets and Escalations defined live-service Hitman.
    In-game setting
    World of Assassination book one. Complete First Season + GOTY content now imported into WoA.
    Should you play it?
    Start WoA here in both Release and Story order.
    Release date
    US launch March 11, 2016. Original Steam App 236870—delisted January 2023.
  2. Hitman 2

    Hitman 2

    PCPS4Xbox OneStealthMainlineWoA

    Direct sequel—Miami, Colombia, Mumbai, Vermont, and more; Providence faction war escalates.

    Overview
    Warner Bros published; Legacy Pack ported Season 1 missions into Hitman 2 engine.
    In-game setting
    WoA book two—continues immediately after 2016 ending.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Hitman 2016 campaign.
    Release date
    US release November 13, 2018. Steam App 863550—delisted with WoA consolidation.
  3. Hitman 3 / World of Assassination

    Hitman 3 / World of Assassination

    PCPS4PS5Xbox OneXbox SeriesStealthMainlineWoADefinitive

    Trilogy finale—Dubai, Dartmoor, Berlin, Chongqing, Mendoza, and the Romanian climax.

    Overview
    IO self-published conclusion; January 2023 rebrand merged all three games into one WoA client.
    In-game setting
    Definitive modern buy—Steam **1659040** (Hitman: World of Assassination).
    Should you play it?
    Own this to access the full trilogy in 2026.
    Release date
    US release January 20, 2021. Rebranded World of Assassination January 26, 2023.

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 rows. 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.