This November, fans of IO Interactive’s Hitman series will once again be able to delve into the IP’s clandestine world of cleverly-executed assassinations when Hitman 2 launches on November 13. However, if you never got around to playing IO’s 2016 episodic Hitman game, you can currently grab one of the game’s episodes for free as long as you don’t wait around too long to pull the trigger.
Between now and July 31, PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 users can download the Hitman Summer Pack, a special limited-time offer that grants full free access to the game’s Marrakesh episode. The 2016 Hitman game is divided into five distinct episodes, each of which is set in a distinct part of the world. There’s a loose overarching story that ties all the episodes together, but each episode also functions as a standalone sandbox where players can explore, discover creative kill methods, and ultimately try to eliminate their targets before escaping.
In terms of gameplay, the Marrakesh episode allows players to try their hand at the episode’s unique story mission, ‘The Gilded Cage,’ along with eight different Escalation Contracts (multi-stage missions in which the player must assassinate the same target under increasingly difficult conditions). By playing the missions and completing the episode’s 90+ challenges, players can also complete 20 levels of Hitman’s Mastery progression track, unlocking Marrakesh-exclusive rewards such as new gear and weapons. The Hitman Summer Pack also comes with the ICA Facility episode, a sort of prologue that also functions as an in-depth tutorial to help newer players acclimate.
Sadly, as IO notes in this recent announcement post, players will no longer be able to access the Marrakesh episode after July 31 even if they downloaded the Hitman Summer Pack. However, if a Hitman Summer Pack player later decides to buy the full game, any progress they made during the free Summer Pack period will carry over.
In other shooter game news, Resident Evil 4 fans on PC can now download a snazzy new HD textures mod, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s first multiplayer beta will debut in August.