Can you play Hitman coop?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a hardcore Hitman fan, this is a question I‘ve done deep dives on. Despite flickers of co-op over the years, IO Interactive has stuck to a single player experience for the main story missions across all three recent games.

The History of Co-op Modes in Hitman Games

Co-op and multiplayer modes have appeared in Hitman games before, but have never extended to the critical story path. Here‘s the breakdown:

Hitman: Absolution (2012)

This controversial entry in the franchise introduced a mode called Contracts – an innovative idea allowing players to create and share custom missions with specific kill conditions. You could take on contracts from other players solo, but also tackle them cooperatively.

An interesting innovation at the time, but did not satisfy fans looking for proper campaign co-op.

Hitman 2 (2018)

For the first time in the modern trilogy, IOI experimented with an online co-op mode called Sniper Assassin. This mode allowed 2 players to work together to eliminate targets from a distance using sniper rifles.

Players found it a fun side mode, but still isolated from the main story.

Sniper Assassin player counts over time, via SteamCharts

As you can see, Sniper Assassin enjoyed a spike in interest around the launch of Hitman 2, but tapered off a bit over time as players focused back on the single player campaign content.

Hitman 3 (2021)

No co-op mode was included in Hitman 3. IOI decided to focus entirely on advancing the single player experience for this closure of the World of Assassination trilogy.

Why Focus on Single Player?

Looking at polls and discussions on forums like r/HiTMAN on Reddit, there seems to be little demand from hardcore fans for diversionary co-op modes.

The consensus tends to be:

  • Appreciation for IOI‘s innovative attempts at co-op and multiplayer side content
  • But a strong desire for them to focus resources on the core single player experience

This aligns with IOI‘s mission for Hitman 3 to provide a satisfying conclusion to Agent 47‘s story. Multiplayer would have only served as a distraction.

Perhaps in future installments, we could see IO revisit limited co-op features. But they seem committed to a solo experience for the main story beats.

The Verdict – Enjoy Hitman Solo

So for those wondering – no, there is no way to play the Hitman 3 story missions in co-op. This franchise remains steadfastly single player.

That said, previous games offered delightful co-op diversions that provided either fun community creativity (Contracts) or sniper action (Sniper Assassin).

While we await news of Hitman 4, IO Interactive seems focused on advancing Agent 47‘s story. So continue enjoying these sublime stealth sandboxes solo!

But never say never when it comes to multiplayer down the road.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

Similar Posts