The Hitman series by IO Interactive has become synonymous with stealth, strategy, and precision. With each new installment, the series offers challenging missions that require players to think carefully, plan meticulously, and execute with surgical precision. While the sandbox design allows players to experiment with countless methods to eliminate targets, some contracts push even the most seasoned assassins to their limits.
In this list, we’ll dive into five of the toughest Hitman contracts—missions that test not only your patience but also your ability to stay calm and execute flawless strategies. Whether you’re a fan of the older titles or the more recent Hitman: World of Assassination trilogy, these contracts will make you sweat!
1. The King of Chinatown – Hitman: Absolution
Location: Chinatown, USA
Objective: Eliminate the King of Chinatown
What Makes It Challenging?
This early mission in Hitman: Absolution appears simple at first glance, but its tight layout forces players to demonstrate patience and timing. The King of Chinatown is surrounded by bodyguards, police officers, and civilians, and eliminating him silently without attracting unwanted attention requires perfect execution.
Several assassination methods exist—poisoning his food, dropping a pallet on him, or arranging an "accident" with a sniper rifle—but they all demand precise timing. Any mistake will result in chaos, as the area is crowded, and escaping unnoticed becomes an uphill task if you’re not careful.
Why It Tests Patience:
The crowd dynamics make it tricky to isolate the target without drawing attention, forcing players to blend into the environment and carefully study the King’s movement patterns before acting.
2. World of Tomorrow – Hitman (2016)
Location: Sapienza, Italy
Objectives: Eliminate Silvio Caruso and Francesca De Santis, Destroy the Virus
What Makes It Challenging?
Sapienza is one of the most iconic maps in the modern Hitman trilogy, offering players a sprawling coastal town filled with opportunities and hazards. However, it is also incredibly complex. Silvio Caruso and Francesca De Santis rarely leave their heavily guarded zones, and eliminating them without raising suspicion is no easy feat.
Adding to the challenge is the secondary objective: destroying the DNA virus hidden in an underground lab. This virus is protected by guards, security cameras, and environmental hazards, making it essential to infiltrate undetected. You’ll need to plan meticulously to achieve a Silent Assassin rating, balancing stealth, precision, and creative problem-solving.
Why It Tests Patience:
The mission demands multi-tasking—you not only need to eliminate two high-profile targets without being caught but also have to figure out how to enter the underground lab without triggering an alarm.
3. The Ark Society – Hitman 2 (2018)
Location: Isle of Sgàil, North Atlantic
Objectives: Eliminate Zoe and Sophia Washington
What Makes It Challenging?
In Hitman 2, The Ark Society is a standout mission that takes place during a secret gathering of the world’s elite on a remote island. The level is filled with complex layers, from underground crypts to opulent halls, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of people and security present.
The two targets, Zoe and Sophia Washington, rarely leave the public eye, requiring patience and cunning to take them out discreetly. Furthermore, each sister is accompanied by tight security. Killing both targets without raising suspicion demands clever use of disguises, distractions, and a deep understanding of the environment.
Why It Tests Patience:
The Washington sisters are constantly moving around the map, and killing them without raising alarms often involves waiting for the perfect opportunity—something that can take a lot of time and observation.
4. A New Life – Hitman: Blood Money
Location: Suburban USA
Objective: Eliminate Vinnie Sinistra, Retrieve the Microfilm
What Makes It Challenging?
In this mission, Hitman: Blood Money transports Agent 47 to a quiet American suburb to eliminate Vinnie Sinistra, a former mobster turned witness, who is under witness protection. Sinistra’s house is heavily guarded by the FBI, and there are multiple layers of surveillance to deal with.
Eliminating Vinnie quietly without disturbing his family and FBI agents can be tough, especially if you’re aiming for Silent Assassin status. The microfilm hidden on his wife’s necklace adds another wrinkle to the challenge. You’ll need to infiltrate the house, avoid alerting FBI agents, and retrieve the microfilm without being detected.
Why It Tests Patience:
Navigating a small suburban environment filled with both civilians and guards forces you to move slowly, plan each step carefully, and make use of disguises at the right moments.
5. Chasing a Ghost – Hitman 2 (2018)
Location: Mumbai, India
Objectives: Eliminate The Maelstrom, Dawood Rangan, and Vanya Shah
What Makes It Challenging?
"Chasing a Ghost" is one of the most intricate missions in Hitman 2. Set in the bustling streets of Mumbai, the mission revolves around three targets, one of whom—The Maelstrom—is unidentified at the start. You’ll need to locate and identify The Maelstrom before eliminating him, adding an investigative layer to the mission.
Each target operates within their own heavily guarded territory. Vanya Shah rules a train yard like a queen, while Dawood Rangan operates out of a high-rise tower. Eliminating all three without causing chaos requires an immense amount of patience, stealth, and creative planning.
Why It Tests Patience:
Finding and identifying The Maelstrom can take a significant amount of time, and coordinating the assassinations of all three targets without alerting anyone requires flawless execution.
Conclusion: Contracts That Separate the Pros from the Amateurs
The Hitman series thrives on its ability to challenge players' patience, precision, and creativity. These five contracts exemplify what makes the franchise so beloved—offering elaborate missions where timing, observation, and meticulous planning are essential. Whether you prefer eliminating targets with bold stunts or sneaky poisonings, each of these missions requires you to stay sharp and strategize carefully.
For players looking to test their patience and tactical prowess, these contracts provide the perfect opportunity. So, put on your best disguise, grab your silenced pistol, and dive into these missions—just be prepared to restart a few times along the way!