Category: Hitman 3

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‘Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded’ Revealed, “rebuilt from the ground up” Exclusively for Quest 3

IO Interactive and UK-based studio XR Games announced they’re bringing a new version of stealth-action game Hitman 3 exclusively to Meta Quest 3 this summer.

Hitman 3 came along with VR support for the original PSVR at launch in 2021, later bringing Agent 47’s most recent exploits to PC VR headsets with the Windows version a few months later.

Now, a version called Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded is slated to arrive exclusively on Quest 3, which is described as have been “[r]ebuilt from the ground up for VR,” including a completely overhauled user interface and “enhanced movement mechanics” beyond the versions for PSVR and PC VR headsets.

It’s also set to include dual weapon-wielding (finally), enhanced interactive environments, more locomotion options, and other visual enhancements—chief of which is a new cel-shaded art style, which ought to help cut down on the extensive compute load that the game’s dense crowds and large maps were sure to cause on Quest 3.

In collaboration with IO Interactive, Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded is being overhauled for Quest 3 by XR Games, which is also known for having brought a number of titles to various VR headsets over the years, including the upcoming Zombie Army VR from Rebellion, as well as past titles Zombieland VR: Headshot Fever, Jurassic World Aftermath, Shadow Point, and Angry Birds Under Pressure VR.

“We are excited to partner with IO Interactive to bring HITMAN 3 VR: Reloaded to life on the Meta Quest 3,” said Bobby Thandi, Founder and CEO of XR Games. “Our teams have worked tirelessly to bring this huge AAA franchise to VR. We knew the HITMAN audience demanded the absolute best VR experience, and only the Meta Quest 3 could power such large environments, dense crowds and emergent sandbox gameplay. With dual-wielding, a stunning new art-style, new features and improvements, we believe HITMAN 3 VR: Reloaded will set a new standard for bringing AAA franchises to Meta Quest.”

Whatever the case, we’re hoping it does a fair bit to fix some of the porting issues we remember from the PC VR-supported version of the game, which players have ranked ‘Mostly Negative’ on Steam.

There’s no exact launch date for Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded yet, with the studios saying it should launch sometime in Summer 2024. In the meantime, you can pre-order Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded for Quest 3 here.

The post ‘Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded’ Revealed, “rebuilt from the ground up” Exclusively for Quest 3 appeared first on Road to VR.

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Hitman 3’s PC VR Support Is Pretty Janky Right Now

Hitman 3’s PC VR support is finally out. Unfortunately, though, the game seems to need a fair bit more work.

If you’re not familiar with Hitman’s VR history then let us fill you in. When the game was originally released last year it had full support for Sony’s PSVR headset on PS4. You could play the entire campaign with the headset and also import levels from Hitman 1 and 2 to play them in VR too. Crucially, though, you could only play with the DualShock 4 controller. There were some limited motion controls via the lightbar tracking, but the support mainly still relied on button inputs, with no Move controller support at all. It was still really fun, but it definitely only felt like a taste of what a true VR Hitman game could be.

Hitman 3 PC VR Hands-On

We had hoped that developer IO Interactive would give the long-anticipated PC VR support a much-needed overhaul given that this version would support two-handed motion controllers. But that’s not quite the case. Check out over nine minutes of gameplay above, which features many of the issues we’re about to talk about.

Though you can finally move Agent 47’s hands freely, Hitman 3’s PC VR support very much uses the DualShock 4 controls and PSVR tracking as a foundation, and the control scheme remains largely the same. That means you can’t hold two items at once, for example, and the game’s not designed to encourage you to physically rotate yourself to move around environments. You can still turn around yourself, but whenever the camera cuts to a virtual screen, it’ll be wherever you first started looking (though recentering the camera is just a button press away).

47’s body, meanwhile, seems to twist and contort to where you face unless you use stick turning, and his avatar, in general, can be very distracting. Playing with Oculus Touch controllers, his hands also seemed to be lower than where I was holding them and this made aiming weapons really tough. The two-handed support also only means that your off-hand will grip larger weapons in a sort of magnetic fashion, automatically sticking to the grip when you move it near, which feels strange.

Perhaps the biggest problem with the VR right now, though, are the bugs. Specifically, I was unable to hold some items like a camera or knife in my hand without it going completely berserk. My hand would either completely disappear or shoot in and out of view, making some items impossible to use. The same happens to NPCs when you strangle them – they essentially start to zap in and out of existence from random angles before vanishing into thin air. There were also times the item menu button didn’t appear to work, leaving me stranded in a tight spot.

I suppose some of these issues were to be expected. It was, perhaps, a little too hopeful to think IOI might go back and completely revamp the game’s VR support to work naturally with PC VR hardware given its PSVR origins (seen in the video review above). But VR design has come a long way in the past two or three years and Hitman 3’s PC VR support has the air of a 2016 title still wrestling with how to best implement motion controls. We can, at least, hope those disastrous bugs will be ironed out in the future.

And then there’s the persistent issues from the PSVR version. It’d be great, for example, to have a body-based UI so you don’t have to dive into menus to select things, and there’s still no support for physical crouching.

Ultimately Hitman 3 on PC VR still feels designed for a gamepad. The addition of motion controllers should give the game a new level of interaction and intuitiveness but it actually ends up going the other way. A lot of these issues could be patched – IOI is clearly committed to delivering the best experience it can in every area of Hitman, and the developer could stand to learn from games like Sniper Elite VR or even the excellent port of Resident Evil 4 VR for ways to make the game feel much more native to the platform.

Perhaps the game’s 2D roots run too deep to really overhaul the experience in that way but, unless that happens, you should probably stick to the traditional Hitman experience or — and I can’t quite believe I’m saying this — seek out the PSVR version. At least that was contextualized to a controller that let you competently play the game.

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Hitman 3 PC VR System Requirements Revealed, No Reverb G2 Support

Hitman 3’s PC VR support launches today, but it looks like you won’t be able to play it with an HP Reverb G2.

Developer IO Interactive has revealed the supported headsets and system requirements for the game, which is due to get an update adding in the VR support in a few hours from now (along with launching on Steam and Game Pass). The page confirms that the game supports the Valve Index, Meta Quest 2, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive Pro and Cosmos devices. But it also specifically states that the G2 is not supported, and doesn’t make any mention of support for other Windows MR devices.

We’ve reached out to IO to ask if Reverb G2 support could be added to the game later down the line. Reverb G2 is an impressive headset with very high resolution displays, so it’d be a shame not to be able to experience the game this way.

The page also confirms that the game supports the Valve Index controllers, Oculus Touch controllers and Vive Cosmos controllers. The original Vive wands, meanwhile, will work with the game to some degree, but haven’t been specifically optimized for the game.

Hitman 3 PC VR System Requirements Revealed

Finally, we have minimum specs. IO says you’ll need:

CPU: Intel 6-core i7-8700 / AMD Ryzen 7 2700
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super / AMD 5700XT

This base requirement will apparently allow you to run the game at a consistent 90FPS on lower-end headsets with graphics sets on low. Anything more than that and you’ll probably want to invest in some better gear.

We’ll be bringing you impressions of Hitman 3 on PC VR as soon as we can, so stay tuned.

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The VR Drop: Shoot First, Don’t Ask Questions Later

The VR Drop 14012022

As we begin to settle into the new year and look forward to what 2022 could bring virtual reality (VR) developers continue to ensure there’s never a boring moment where gaming is concerned. Next week features a superb variety of immersive titles across PC VR and Quest, especially if you enjoy shooting stuff in VR.

Core Disruption

Core Disruption – MPLEX

Probably one videogame very few of you have heard of as developer MPLEX has been flying under the radar; nevertheless, Core Disruption looks immensely fun. Giving VRFocus proper Battlezone vibes, Core Disruption is a multiplayer tank combat experience coming to Steam Early Access. Step into a fully customisable tank where you can change the chassis, weapons, skins, modules, and subsystems (over 9000 configurations the studio claims) before heading out onto the battlefield to wage war across two maps. You’ll have 1v1 to 4v4 team deathmatch modes available initially, with Early Access adding further features in the months to come.

Anshar 2: Hyperdrive – OZWE Games

OZWE Games is bringing back a firm favourite from the Gear VR days, Anshar Wars 2. Now called Anshar 2: Hyperdrive, this Meta Quest 2 title is a space-based shooter that’s been completely reworked for the standalone headset. Featuring a 13 level solo campaign as well as multiplayer battle royale and co-op missions, Anshar 2: Hyperdrive includes an all-new control scheme as the original was gaze-based. VRFocus loved the original so hopefully, the Quest 2 version holds up.

  • Supported platform(s): Meta Quest
  • Launch date: 20th January
Anshar 2: Hyperdrive

Hitman 3 – IO Interactive

The big news that arrived yesterday came from IO Interactive announcing that the PC edition of Hitman 3 is finally getting VR support. Agent 47’s latest outing launched a year ago across multiple platforms but only offered VR support via PlayStation VR. PC VR compatibility will be a free update if you already own the title. It’s also set to become the definitive VR version as it’ll be fully motion controller compatible, giving players far more freedom and versatility when executing contracts.

IO Interactive hasn’t confirmed just yet which PC VR headset will work. But, demo footage has shown the teams using Oculus Rift S and Valve Index, so they’re a given.

Sword Reverie

Time for a much lighter VR experience, Sword Reverie is an anime adventure inspired by Japanese role-playing games (JRPG). Funded through Kickstarter back in 2020, Sword Reverie is a Steam Early Access that’ll feature around three hours of gameplay at launch, consisting of 12 levels, a boss fight, and a fully voiced story for those areas. You’ll be able to go on quests and fight a variety of monsters using both physical and magical combat, casting elemental abilities through body movement. With lush looking visuals, hopefully, this single-player adventure lives up to expectations.

After Dark VR

After Dark VR – Algo Interactive

For those after a far more grizzly VR experience, there’s After Dark VR. This is a co-op survival horror where one player acts as the hunter/killer whilst everyone else runs away and tries not to die. But there’s no hiding in After Dark VR because the survivors have to switch on four fuse boxes in order to escape. Five maps will be available at launch with more being added during the course of 2022.

Posted on

The VR Drop: Shoot First, Don’t Ask Questions Later

As we begin to settle into the new year and look forward to what 2022 could bring virtual reality (VR) developers continue to ensure there’s never a boring moment where gaming is concerned. Next week features a superb variety of immersive titles across PC VR and Quest, especially if you enjoy shooting stuff in VR.

Core Disruption

Core Disruption – MPLEX

Probably one videogame very few of you have heard of as developer MPLEX has been flying under the radar; nevertheless, Core Disruption looks immensely fun. Giving VRFocus proper Battlezone vibes, Core Disruption is a multiplayer tank combat experience coming to Steam Early Access. Step into a fully customisable tank where you can change the chassis, weapons, skins, modules, and subsystems (over 9000 configurations the studio claims) before heading out onto the battlefield to wage war across two maps. You’ll have 1v1 to 4v4 team deathmatch modes available initially, with Early Access adding further features in the months to come.

Anshar 2: Hyperdrive – OZWE Games

OZWE Games is bringing back a firm favourite from the Gear VR days, Anshar Wars 2. Now called Anshar 2: Hyperdrive, this Meta Quest 2 title is a space-based shooter that’s been completely reworked for the standalone headset. Featuring a 13 level solo campaign as well as multiplayer battle royale and co-op missions, Anshar 2: Hyperdrive includes an all-new control scheme as the original was gaze-based. VRFocus loved the original so hopefully, the Quest 2 version holds up.

  • Supported platform(s): Meta Quest
  • Launch date: 20th January
Anshar 2: Hyperdrive

Hitman 3 – IO Interactive

The big news that arrived yesterday came from IO Interactive announcing that the PC edition of Hitman 3 is finally getting VR support. Agent 47’s latest outing launched a year ago across multiple platforms but only offered VR support via PlayStation VR. PC VR compatibility will be a free update if you already own the title. It’s also set to become the definitive VR version as it’ll be fully motion controller compatible, giving players far more freedom and versatility when executing contracts.

IO Interactive hasn’t confirmed just yet which PC VR headset will work. But, demo footage has shown the teams using Oculus Rift S and Valve Index, so they’re a given.

Sword Reverie

Time for a much lighter VR experience, Sword Reverie is an anime adventure inspired by Japanese role-playing games (JRPG). Funded through Kickstarter back in 2020, Sword Reverie is a Steam Early Access that’ll feature around three hours of gameplay at launch, consisting of 12 levels, a boss fight, and a fully voiced story for those areas. You’ll be able to go on quests and fight a variety of monsters using both physical and magical combat, casting elemental abilities through body movement. With lush looking visuals, hopefully, this single-player adventure lives up to expectations.

After Dark VR

After Dark VR – Algo Interactive

For those after a far more grizzly VR experience, there’s After Dark VR. This is a co-op survival horror where one player acts as the hunter/killer whilst everyone else runs away and tries not to die. But there’s no hiding in After Dark VR because the survivors have to switch on four fuse boxes in order to escape. Five maps will be available at launch with more being added during the course of 2022.

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Hitman 3 Confirmed for PC VR This Month

Hitman 3

It’s been almost a year since IO Interactive launched Hitman 3 across multiple platforms, with virtual reality (VR) support exclusive to PlayStation VR. That’s going to change next week as part of Hitman 3’s Year 2 update, with PC VR support rolling out with a bunch of immersive improvements.

HITMAN 3 - Dubai

So after a year of PlayStation VR owners having all the fun in Hitman 3 PC players will finally get to go literally hands-on. And that’s probably the main defining difference between the two VR editions of the videogame, on PC VR you’ll have full motion controller support. As IO Interactive’s Year 2 reveal stream highlights, the update is going greatly increase the physical interaction, making Hitman 3 even more immersive.

From little things like nudging an NPC to actually throwing a knife at a target, PC VR users will really be able to utilise the environment to complete assignments. Other natural VR elements have also been included like blind firing around corners, steadying your gun with your second hand and close combat, getting into fisticuffs with enemies.

All rather exciting but it’s not just PC VR players getting treated next week. The studio is going to release a new game mode called Elusive Target Arcade, an upgrade to the Elusive Target concept. Arcade will introduce consecutive targets, each one needing to be completed before the next contract opens up. The stakes are high, however, fail an Arcade Contract and you’ll be locked out for 12-hours before being given the chance to try again from the beginning. Elusive Target Arcade will launch with three contracts, each one featuring three targets from the Hitman franchise.

Hitman 3

Lastly, IO Interactive gave a look at what else is to come in 2022. As previously announced, the PC version will be getting several technology enhancements this year such as Ray Tracing, VRS (Variable Rate Shading) and Intel’s XeSS technology, the latter two helping boost performance.

Available on the Epic Games Store for PC players, Hitman 3’s VR support and the Elusive Target Arcade will be available from 20th January. IO Interactive hasn’t specified which PC VR headsets will be compatible, those details will be released closer to launch, but the Oculus Rift S does appear in the announcement video so that’s one at least. For continued updates on Hitman 3, keep reading VRFocus.

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Hitman 3 Confirmed for PC VR This Month

It’s been almost a year since IO Interactive launched Hitman 3 across multiple platforms, with virtual reality (VR) support exclusive to PlayStation VR. That’s going to change next week as part of Hitman 3’s Year 2 update, with PC VR support rolling out with a bunch of immersive improvements.

HITMAN 3 - Dubai

So after a year of PlayStation VR owners having all the fun in Hitman 3 PC players will finally get to go literally hands-on. And that’s probably the main defining difference between the two VR editions of the videogame, on PC VR you’ll have full motion controller support. As IO Interactive’s Year 2 reveal stream highlights, the update is going greatly increase the physical interaction, making Hitman 3 even more immersive.

From little things like nudging an NPC to actually throwing a knife at a target, PC VR users will really be able to utilise the environment to complete assignments. Other natural VR elements have also been included like blind firing around corners, steadying your gun with your second hand and close combat, getting into fisticuffs with enemies.

All rather exciting but it’s not just PC VR players getting treated next week. The studio is going to release a new game mode called Elusive Target Arcade, an upgrade to the Elusive Target concept. Arcade will introduce consecutive targets, each one needing to be completed before the next contract opens up. The stakes are high, however, fail an Arcade Contract and you’ll be locked out for 12-hours before being given the chance to try again from the beginning. Elusive Target Arcade will launch with three contracts, each one featuring three targets from the Hitman franchise.

Hitman 3

Lastly, IO Interactive gave a look at what else is to come in 2022. As previously announced, the PC version will be getting several technology enhancements this year such as Ray Tracing, VRS (Variable Rate Shading) and Intel’s XeSS technology, the latter two helping boost performance.

Available on the Epic Games Store for PC players, Hitman 3’s VR support and the Elusive Target Arcade will be available from 20th January. IO Interactive hasn’t specified which PC VR headsets will be compatible, those details will be released closer to launch, but the Oculus Rift S does appear in the announcement video so that’s one at least. For continued updates on Hitman 3, keep reading VRFocus.

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Hitman 3’s PC VR Support Arrives On January 20

Hitman 3’s much-anticipated PC VR support will arrive on January 20.

Developer IO Interactive confirmed as much in a new stream today looking ahead to what’s new for the game in 2022. PC VR support will be added as a free update for existing owners of the game, and the game’s launching on Steam on this date too.

Hitman 3 PC VR Release Date Revealed

You’ll be getting all the expected features here. The entire main campaign from Hitman 3 will be fully supported, allowing you to step into the shoes of Agent 47 for the first time. But owners of Hitman 1 and 2 will also be able to import those levels into the game and play the entire trilogy in VR too. It’s not underselling it, then, to say that there are tens of hours of VR content waiting for you here.

Hitman 3 already featured full VR support when it released on PS4 last year, and we really enjoyed that version of the game. With that said, there were definite issues with PSVR’s limited tracking on the DualShock 4 controller, and PC VR’s move to two handed-tracked controllers has us very interested to dive back in. It’s very possible that the improved tracking and — hopefully — increased performance make this a hugely improved experience.

Of course, we’re hoping that this isn’t the end of Hitman’s story with VR. The game is also on PS5 and last week’s reveal of PSVR 2 has us very hopeful that IO could update that version of the game to support that headset too. So far the only officially confirmed game for the headset is Horizon Call of the Mountain, but we’re keeping track of all the announced, possible and rumored titles for the device.

Also revealed today were new modes, including Elusive Target Arcade in which you’re given several hits to perform in a row without failing. If you mess up, you’ll need to wait a day before you can try again.

Are you going to be checking out Hitman 3’s PC VR support? Let us know in the comments below!