007 First Light is Inspired by Hitman
IO Interactive is developing a new James Bond game, 007 First Light, a unique experience that draws inspiration from the Hitman series but has its own unique structure. The game aims to provide players with dynamic gameplay through the young Bond’s quick thinking, decision-making under pressure, and unique mission structure. The development team has shared some key details with players ahead of the summer gameplay trailer.
007 First Light Reinterprets Hitman Mechanics
IO Interactive blends the open-field strategies associated with Hitman with scenes requiring quicker decision-making in 007 First Light. Director Jonathan Lacaille notes that Bond isn’t as patient as Agent 47 in Hitman. While the story occasionally provides direction to the player, other scenes leave decisions entirely up to the player.
The game will feature both open-ended moments and more cinematic and linear progressions. The development team designed these scenes with a more guided approach to accommodate the big action sequences and Bond-esque flashy moments.
Lacaille also explains that the game prioritizes replayability, and that each mission will feature different approaches. Details like choosing a guard to follow or using different methods to enter a room will create a fresh experience every time.
Various gadgets from Q Lab will also be available to players. In addition to passive uses like opening doors and hiding cameras, there will also be offensive functions like creating smoke bombs. All of these systems have been developed from the ground up specifically for the James Bond universe.
007 First Light is being developed using IO Interactive’s Glacier Engine, which allows the game to be easily adapted to different platforms like the Switch 2. The team states that the next-generation Switch is powerful enough for this game and that it will run smoothly on it.
Additionally, many systems not present in Hitman have been rebuilt from scratch for 007 First Light. New gameplay elements, such as driving mechanics, cover, and direct combat, have been specifically designed for this game. These changes were added to align with Bond’s character and the action-heavy narrative. The development team emphasizes that these new systems will provide players with a completely different Bond experience.
