The Quest 3-native version of Hitman 3 has arrived, but unfortunately, it’s not living up to expectations. While the idea of experiencing Hitman 3 in VR was exciting, the reality of Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded is a far cry from the immersive and detailed experience fans are accustomed to.

Gameplay

Pros:

• Conceptual VR Features: The VR version does bring some interesting elements to the table, like a smartwatch for mission maps and quick item access, and intuitive actions like tossing a coin to distract guards.
• Stealth Mechanics: The core stealth mechanics of the Hitman series are intact, allowing players to engage in classic assassination tactics, albeit with some limitations.

Cons:

• Visual Quality: The game suffers from poor graphical fidelity, with muddy textures, popping geometry, and flat lighting. The absence of detailed interiors and cinematic cutscenes severely detracts from the immersive experience.
• Mechanical Stability: The game experiences significant issues with stability and interaction. Actions are often abstracted into “Press A to Interact” prompts, making the experience feel more like a direct port rather than a VR-native adaptation.
• Loading and Performance Issues: Frequent texture popping and unstable rendering of NPCs and environments mar the gameplay experience. The upcoming ‘Day 4’ update promises fixes, but it’s disappointing to hear about these issues on launch day.

Immersion

Pros:

• VR-Specific Features: Some VR-native design elements, like the smartwatch and intuitive item management, are commendable and add to the immersive experience.
• Stealth Interactions: Simple actions, such as pulling out a coin to distract a guard, are well-executed and enhance the stealth gameplay.

Cons:

• Visual and Interaction Issues: The game’s visual shortcomings and interaction problems—such as slow sniper scopes and inconsistent object visibility—greatly hinder immersion. The game feels like it’s struggling to transition from flatscreen to VR.
• Port Issues: The reliance on 2D menus and animations, alongside frequent graphical glitches, suggests a lack of optimization for the Quest 3 hardware.

Comfort

Pros:

• Standard Comfort Options: The game includes standard VR comfort settings, making it generally comfortable to play. Most levels are on single planes, reducing the risk of VR motion sickness.

Cons:

• Limited Movement: While the comfort options are good, the overall experience can still be affected by the game’s performance issues and lack of visual clarity.

Overall Impressions: Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded struggles with its transition to VR, facing significant graphical and mechanical issues that detract from the experience. The game shows promise with some VR-specific features and the core stealth mechanics intact, but it feels more like a rough port rather than a fully realized VR adaptation. Fans of Hitman 3 may want to hold off on this version until further updates address the current issues.