Hitman: Absolution

Hitman: Absolution is the stealth action game from IO Interactive, released in 2012, in which Agent 47 is hunted by his own organization. The story combines personal choices with missions against armed enemies and takes place in consecutive locations rather than an open game world.

In about 20 missions, Agent 47 can observe targets, use clothing as disguise, trigger distractions and sneak past enemies or risk direct combat. The Instinct display shows options and movements. Absolution puts more emphasis on cinematic sequences than many other parts of the series.

Hitman: Absolution was released on Nov 20, 2012 for Windows PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Feral Interactive released its own versions for iOS and Android on Oct 16, 2025, and for Nintendo Switch on Nov 13, 2025. The native Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has been available since Oct 22, 2026.

Hitman: Absolution was originally released natively for Windows PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Later, standalone versions followed for iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch and, on Oct 22, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2. An Xbox 360 version playable through backward compatibility is not a standalone Xbox Series version. The Hitman HD Enhanced Collection is a separate collection.

The campaign consists of individual missions with set objectives and different routes through guarded locations. Agent 47 can observe enemies, disguise himself, silently eliminate targets, distract or seek direct confrontation. Inconspicuous play and use of the environment are rated, but the game does not forbid open confrontation.

With Instinct, you can better spot potential routes and options for action. Disguises help you enter areas that are otherwise locked, but they must suit the situation: people wearing the same uniform can see through the disguise. The Glacier 2 engine, developed in-house by the studio, handles the scene rendering.

Smaller add-on packs such as the Agency Gun Pack were released for the original game. They are optional content and not new versions of the main game. There are separate DLC products as well, including for PC and Xbox 360.

The Hitman HD Enhanced Collection, released in 2019, bundles technically updated versions of Absolution and Blood Money. It is a standalone package and should not be treated as classic Absolution DLC or as proof of a separate native Xbox Series version of the single game.

For the classic Windows PC version, Steam lists at least a dual-core processor, 2 GB RAM, a graphics card on the level of an Nvidia GeForce 8600 with 512 MB, and 24 GB storage. The store lists DirectX 10 as the minimum requirement.

Recommended specs include an Intel Core i7 or AMD Athlon II X4, 4 GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 260 or Radeon HD 5770, and DirectX 11. The historically listed operating systems Windows Vista and Windows 7 do not mean current Steam clients still support these versions: Steam has required at least Windows 10 since January 2024.

Contracts mode lets you build your own assignments with up to three targets from a mission environment. Other players then try to meet the conditions as successfully as possible and beat the results on leaderboards. The tasks are played one after another, not together in a co-op mode.

Feral Interactive added Contracts in May 2026 for iOS and Android and in June 2026 for Nintendo Switch. According to the developer, the mode uses cross-platform leaderboards. Contracts has been available since launch for the Switch 2 Edition, available since Oct 22, 2026. This does not mean crossplay for a shared story campaign.

Hitman: Absolution has been available natively for Nintendo Switch 2 since Oct 22, 2026. Compared with the first Switch version, the new edition offers a higher output resolution, improved animations, shadows and texture filtering, and more detail.

In handheld mode, Feral Interactive lists up to 60 frames per second. Joy-Con 2 supports mouse controls, and the asynchronous Contracts mode has been available since launch. Owners of the original Switch version get the upgrade for free until and including Nov 4, 2026.

The iOS and Android versions were reworked by Feral Interactive for touchscreens. Button layout can be customised, and controllers as well as keyboard and mouse are supported. The campaign keeps the same story about Agent 47 but is adapted for controls on phones and tablets.

Feral released both ports on Oct 16, 2025. The asynchronous Contracts mode was added as a free feature in May 2026. Specific device requirements depend on the operating system and store and cannot be taken from the old Windows system requirements.

On Steam, the Windows version is listed with voice audio in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish and Russian. Turkish is listed there for the interface, not as full voice dubbing. According to Steam, controls are supported, including controllers, but only with partial controller support.

Instinct Mode is a gameplay aid that helps you plan your approach in guarded areas. PC language details or Steam features do not automatically apply to iOS, Android and Nintendo. The current store description on each platform is the authoritative source.