The Hitman franchise has one of the most unique origin stories in gaming. It began as a tiny experimental project inside IO Interactive, built mainly to test ragdoll physics, cloth movement and a strange bald assassin who looked like he had never laughed in his life. Nobody expected it to explode into an international phenomenon. Somehow, this odd little game grew into a series that inspired memes, speedruns, professional assassinations with rubber ducks and a fanbase that treats creativity as a religion.

Through the years, Hitman games and Agent 47 have built a reputation for open ended mission design, freedom of choice and the joy of improvising planning and executing clean kills even in chaotic situations. Today, all Hitman games along with their sole protagonist Agent 47 stand among the most iconic stealth titles ever created. The franchise evolved from rough experiments into polished sandboxes that let players feel clever, dangerous and hilarious at the same time.

6. Hitman: Codename 47

Hitman Codename 47 is where all Hitman games started and Agent 47 began his journey in the gaming world. The nostalgia is strong even though the mechanics often fight back harder than the enemies. Fans appreciate Hitman Codename 47 due to its story which was quite unique and interesting for its time. Plus it introduced the basic ideas of disguises, stealth and mission variety. The problem is that time has not been kind to this early attempt.

Controls feel stiff, the visuals look very poor today, and the AI behaves as if it is trying to guess what universe it is in. A small mistake could suddenly turn your mission into loud shootouts that go against everything the franchise later perfected. The lack of saved games was another big problem the game suffered from. Despite these flaws, Hitman Codename 47 deserves respect for building the foundation that every later entry improved. It is clunky, rough and painfully old but it’s story deserves praise. Plus the entire legacy of all Hitman games and Agent 47 started right here.

5. Hitman: Absolution

Hitman Absolution is the most divisive entry in all Hitman games, especially among fans of Agent 47. It is polished, cinematic and visually impressive, and some fans genuinely enjoy its story driven structure. Others feel that Hitman Absolution abandoned the very soul of the franchise by turning missions into linear action sequences instead of open sandboxes. The stealth is smoother but the freedom is smaller. The pacing and storytelling is stylish but the creativity is limited. The biggest problem is that in order to gain more popularity, it tried to appeal to a wider audience and ends up pleasing only a small part of the gaming community. Even with these criticisms, Hitman Absolution still offers fun moments, sharp presentation and solid mechanics. Storywise, fans love it as it shows us a more human side to Agent 47, who goes against the very organization he works for, to protect a young girl. However, it is simply not the same style that made Hitman games and Agent 47 famous. For many players, this one is enjoyable but not essential.

4. Hitman: Silent Assassin

Hitman Silent Assassin, the second entry, in the franchise is where the games truly become immersive. Fans see it as the first true evolution of all Hitman games and Agent 47. Disguises are better, maps are larger and mission planning feels more interesting and rewarding. While some mechanics are dated today, the overall design remains impressive for its time. Players often praise the story, the atmosphere, the variety and the sense of stealth mastery that Hitman Silent Assassin brought to the series.

Even though it is still a fun game to play decades later, the AI can be unpredictable and the controls might frustrate newcomers. You can’t even run in front of guards, otherwise they would start shooting! The charm of the classic design still holds up. Hitman Silent Assassin proved that the franchise had real potential to grow beyond experiments. It moved all Hitman games and Agent 47 into the spotlight and showed what their unique formula could do.

3. Hitman Contracts

Hitman Contracts is an underrated gem that many fans still love to replay. This entry is quite unique to the franchise as the missions take place in flashbacks, while Agent 47 is recovering from a gunshot wound. It takes Agent 47 into darker territory with a more eerie tone and creepy environments. To put it short, at times it makes you feel like playing a horror stealth game! Levels feel sharper and more polished than earlier games, and several remade missions from the first title finally achieve the quality they always deserved.

The game does not reinvent the formula but it refines it. If you loved the first two games, you will likely appreciate the gritty storytelling and the unsettling mood that Hitman Contracts maintains from start to finish. Some critics argue that it lacks fresh originality, but the improvements are undeniable. It is stylish, focused and satisfying. Hitman Contracts might not be for everyone, but it remains a fan favorite for its unique tone and solid design. It marks the moment when all Hitman games and Agent 47 were ready for greatness.

2. Hitman Blood Money

Hitman Blood Money is the legendary high point of the classic era. Ask any long time fan to name the best among all Hitman games before the modern trilogy and Hitman: Blood Money will usually be the answer. The sandbox freedom in Hitman Blood Money is unmatched for its time, with clever mission design, creative kill methods and memorable locations that players still discuss today.

Even today, the game stands out, and each level feels like a miniature puzzle box that rewards experimentation. Like Contracts, the story also takes place in flashbacks, where the leader of a rival organization tries to manipulate 47’s past in front of the media, to suit his human cloning agenda. Whether players want to poison, push, or sabotage, Hitman Blood Money allows all of it with style. Even though some mechanics might feel dated now, the core experience remains timeless. Hitman Blood Money perfected the old formula and set a standard that inspired the entire modern era of the series. It is a classic through and through.

1. Hitman World of Assassination – the best among all Hitman games

The modern trilogy is the final evolution of all Hitman games and Agent 47. Hitman, Hitman 2 and Hitman 3 combine into a single masterpiece known as Hitman World of Assassination. This unified experience delivers everything the franchise is loved for. Levels are gigantic, replay value is endless and creative assassination methods are more varied than ever. The story gets even more interesting with the entry of Lucas Grey, 47’s long lost brother and childhood friend. It also answers multiple questions players might have had regarding the past of Agent 47.

The gameplay stands out because every mission feels alive with NPCs who react to your actions. The map is filled with opportunities for stealth, distraction, chaos and even humor. The trilogy also modernizes the formula with sharper controls, smarter AI and a clean interface that makes planning enjoyable. Whether players want to disguise themselves as a mascot or use a Sniper Rifle, the options are limitless. Hitman World of Assassination is the undoubtedly the best among Hitman games. It respects the past while also making the franchise available to newer audiences. Thus, it achieves the potential fans always wanted.

The best thing is that even after years of release, IO Interactive keeps adding interesting side content- all for free!

You can read our review of Hitman World of Assassination here. Also, check out our article on Hitman Blood Money vs World of Assassination to know what the older game did better! 

You can check out 7 thought-provoking quotes from Hitman trilogy here.