007: First Light Needs “Extra Narrative Focus” Like Hitman: Absolution, Says Narrative Director

by

James Bond stories aren’t just about action; they also have moments where characters connect and talk. IO Interactive’s new game, 007: First Light, will be similar, offering players breaks between intense action sequences. Martin Emborg, the game’s cinematics and narrative director, recently told GamesRadar that the game’s pacing will be different from the Hitman games the studio has made before.

The game’s new, varied pace will take inspiration from 2012’s Hitman: Absolution, which combined shooting with stealth, spy work, and a strong storyline. While some players might not appreciate this change—Absolution itself received mixed reviews when it launched—it’s necessary because the James Bond franchise is known for its focus on narrative.

The game is designed this way because the James Bond experience is all about a strong story, often with a sense of urgency. Giving players complete freedom like in other games wouldn’t fit the action-adventure style of 007 First Light. While sneaking and infiltrating are key parts of the game, it also needs the strong storytelling focus that Absolution had.

While the game will feature the over-the-top action you’d expect from a James Bond film, Emborg also emphasized that cleverly blending into social situations and gathering information will be a key part of the story.

We want players to feel like James Bond – using his intelligence and charisma to navigate social situations – rather than just focusing on action like shooting or driving. That side of Bond hasn’t been explored much in games, and we think players will be surprised by how much they enjoy these more subtle, immersive moments alongside the action.

Andreas Krogh, the game’s director, explained that 007: First Light will blend story-driven, focused levels with wider areas where players can explore and tackle objectives however they choose. Similar to the Hitman games, it will also include challenges that give players a reason to replay missions they’ve already finished.

Krogh explained that sections focused on telling the story will be fairly consistent, as they need to deliver the same information each time. However, when the game opens up to core gameplay—where players can choose between stealth and combat—there will be many different ways to progress, encouraging replayability. To further enhance exploration in these open areas, the game also includes a set of challenges for each location.

The game 007: First Light will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. It was originally planned for a March release, but has been pushed back to May 27th. You can now find the updated PC system requirements, which indicate the game needs less RAM than initially thought.

Read More

2026-01-29 16:44