Hitman Beta Free for PlayStation Plus Users

With open-world stealth assassination game Hitman out in 16 days, developer Io Interactive has announced that PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to check out its beta for free next month. Earlier, Hitman fans had to pre-order the game to get access to its beta.

"Starting on 4th March, we'll re-open the PS4 beta exclusively for all PlayStation Plus members. Mark your calendars as the beta will only be around for that weekend," a post from Io Interactive on the PlayStation Europe blog reads. It goes on to explain how PlayStation Plus users can make the most of it.

(Also see: Hitman Beta Has Good Gameplay but Poor Performance

"Keep your eyes on the 'Events' tab on your PS4 and sign up to watch our PlayStation Plus beta livestream, where we'll pick up our Dualshocks and take you on a developer-guided tour of the beta. You're sure to learn some secrets or stories from behind the scenes here at Io Interactive."

In addition to this, the developer explained what online modes have been added to the game. There's Elusive Targets - Hitman's equivalent of limited, real-time events that you'd see in massively multiplayer online role-playing games like Final Fantasy XIV. Here you're tasked with taking down specific rare targets, each with their own unique lore and in-game rewards.

(Also see: Hitman Beta: 9 Things You Need to Know)

The other is Escalation Mode, which mixes up the game's mechanics with an emphasis on fun rather than realism. According to Io, each mission with ramp up the difficulty. For example: you'll be tasked with removing security footage but its location can change and obstacles like explosives are thrown into the equation. A new trailer for the game is out as well, called the Hitman 'Legacy' Opening Cinematic. You can check it out below:

Hitman is out on March 11. Despite of its episodic nature and technical niggles in its beta we're hopeful that the full game will be worth the wait.