Unlocked shortcuts will transfer to subsequent playsthroughs
Hitman 3 builds upon the success of the previous two games in a number of significant and minor ways, but there are also a lot of new features. In levels that are meant to be unlocked by the player, IO Interactive is experimenting with shortcuts that may be accessed from one gaming session to the next.They are easily identifiable since they have a "shortcut unlocked" pop-up that appears on the screen.
A PC video that Game Informer was able to get showed an early implementation of the shortcut function. The video is from the first floor of Hitman 3, the Dubai skyscraper, so be cautious of spoilers.
Persistent shortcuts are intended to "encourage exploration, reward curiosity, and incentivize replayability," according to IO Interactive, which spoke with the publication. Put another way, they're meant in part for Hitman gamers who, god bless them, breeze through stages without stopping to investigate locations from every angle.
In principle, I will enjoy well-placed shortcuts in Hitman 3, just as I do in previous games. It's too soon to declare whether or whether they will appeal to some fans as a change of pace, but they may.
Game Informer also has video of the first five minutes if you're interested in seeing a little bit more.