My Hitman 3 bullet journal helps me learn to play the game

I’m not someone who typically uses stealth strategies to play video games – even in the ones I’m supposed to, like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. I prefer to arm my character with heavy melee weapons and fight my way through a level, which is why the Hitman series never really appealed to me. I learned very quickly at startup Hitman 3 Friday my favorite approach was absolutely do not Go to work. I’d have to play it stealthily, as developer IO Interactive designed.

At first, I was lost. I wasn’t sure where to go or what to do. I overheard conversations and immediately forgot about them. I acted suspiciously and continued to get caught. My mind immediately went to another hobby that helped me overcome pandemic issues: journaling. (And then I opened up the beginner’s guide to Polygon as well.)

I have a diary which is a private diary and one for working notes. Then I have another one with notes and thoughts on the books I read – a way to keep track of complex stories. (I also have a few more diaries but I don’t want you to think I’m weirder than you already think.)

So I started a similar journal, one especially for Hitman 3 Remarks. It’s not a new idea, at least for other video games. Lots of people do – and there’s a whole community out there that has rallied around journaling and Animal Crossing: New horizons. There are many different reasons why people do this; some want to manage and track collections or found objects – to tick off fish and bugs – and others just want to creatively honor their island.

my Hitman 3 newspaper is a bit of both. I use it to keep track of story missions and challenges that I’ve completed (or eventually want to complete), but it’s also a place where I write down essential things to remember – little pieces of history that I would otherwise forget, like security codes or floor plans. By playing the game, I learn the “language” of Hitman 3, noticing colossal little details – things experienced Hitman players could automatically pick up.

Image: Nicole Carpenter / Polygone

It’s functional, but just as important was making it cute. Usually in my journals I use stickers and washi tape to decorate, but soon realized that I might never find a crowbar sticker, so I had to draw. Functionally, I created the boxes and the space to write in pencil, before adding drawings; it’s so I can quickly take pen notes while playing.

It was really nice, after playing a bit Hitman 3, to go back to the journal and fill the space with doodles and thoughts. Hitman 3 is so different from what I usually play, and it’s one way the ‘language’ of the game stays. This came in especially handy as we approach the third level in Berlin, where developer IO Interactive has ditched story missions and sends Agent 47 – and me – blind. I have used this space to track target travel routes and other areas of interest.

Without the story missions from the previous two levels to guide me, the Berlin level forces me to rely only on my acquired understanding of Hitman 3the language of. It’s the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) ways that IO Interactive directs the player towards a clue, like what makes a person stand out or what kinds of things to avoid. I often find myself writing down small pieces of information gleaned from overheard conversations, some of which have been very helpful in leading me on a future path. Much of this language is learned through slow listening and observation skills; Hitman 3 seems slow to play, so it’s nice to take the extra time to write down the collected information in a simple way (and a bit more).

If you want to create your own, I have a few tips:

• Use a quick-dry pen / ink – I love fountain pens, but when I scribble notes quickly while playing a game, I don’t want to risk smudging. I used a Uni Jetstream and a Pilot Acro, both with thin tips, in a Midori Traveler’s Notebook insert. For the gray highlights, I used a Tombow Dual brush pen.
• Doodle and decorate! It’s just fun. But don’t worry while you play; do it right after.
• Track challenges and collectibles so you don’t have to constantly navigate menus.
• Write down any “memories” or memorable moments from the game – especially conversations overheard.
• Don’t worry about ruining everything. I spoil a lot, but I like to think that it gives character to my papers.