An immaculate trilogy that demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of what makes stealth compelling. The sheer density of bespoke content and detail is thoroughly immersive, and it constantly rewards players using the narrative to problem-solve (as opposed to treating all the levels like basic AI manipulation). That it rewards thinking about its problems not as video game levels but as narrative, almost roleplaying scenarios, is a real triumph.

There are a lot of things to applaud. It's got a wealth of variety in its challenges and settings, especially towards the back half. It's unafraid to lean into camp, and its sense of humor was spot-on - especially 47's corny-ass quips, using so sparingly they were always a little treat. And its soundtrack, while typically functional, has a few exceptionally great tracks - and the dynamic nature of its music is handled very well.

It's not a perfect experience - and while I'm not a believer that a five-star game needs to be literally perfect, its weaknesses can be hard to overlook. Its overarching thriller narrative is acceptable but never worth much thought. Levels rarely require the variety of tools provided, especially as players unlock an armory's worth of redundant weaponry. But most worth drawing attention to is World of Assassination's side-content, which never approaches the high bar the trilogy's story mode sets. Were I rating the story missions alone, Hitman World of Assassination (really no colon in there?) would get a full five stars, no question. But there are just too many ways to have a worse time that are all demanding your attention - escalations, freelancer mode, bonus missions, arcade mode, sniper missions, and everything else lack the story mode's hand-crafted love, and frankly just feel like Content (pejoratively). Obsessive completionists should set hard limits before touching this stuff - I could have dropped another 100+ hours into WoA, and it wouldn't have added much to my life. (WoA's online-only nature and labyrinthine purchasing structure are also baffling whiffs that feel like unforced errors.) I'm grateful I got to experience such an impressive and unique trilogy, and I'm glad I'm moving on.

9/10