You’re not imagining it. On many PC monitors (especially HDR400/600 or OLEDs in non-true-black mode), Hitman 3 launches with a severely raised black floor. Shadows look grey, colors lack vibrancy, and the image has a milky, “washed out” overlay compared to SDR.

IO Interactive uses a system-level HDR toggle (Windows HDR must be on before launching). However, the game incorrectly maps the HDR range for many displays, defaulting to a high nit value that doesn’t match your panel’s actual capabilities. It also lacks an in-game HDR calibration tool (brightness, contrast, paper white).

Here’s a concise, troubleshooting-focused review based on the common player complaint Review: Hitman 3 on PC – HDR Implementation (The “Washed Out” Problem) Verdict: Technically functional, but requires manual fixes. Out of the box, it’s broken for most non-HDR1000 displays.