How 007 First Light is Different From Past James Bond & Hitman Games

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The highly-anticipated game, titled “007 First Light,” recently unveiled its gameplay, hinting strongly at it being a successor to IO Interactive’s renowned “Hitman” series. For years, fans have imaginatively speculated about what a James Bond game developed by IO Interactive would resemble, given the series’ similarities in exotic settings, cunning antagonists, espionage, and distinctly British female agents with a touch of maternal charm. Yet, many believed this dream was merely wishful thinking… until it was officially announced towards the end of 2020, mere months before the launch of “Hitman 3.” Now, after much patience, “007 First Light” is nearly upon us.

Although fans might hope for IO Interactive to create a James Bond game, it doesn’t automatically mean they will deliver as expected. After watching approximately half an hour of the game and interacting with the developers during the State of Play event before 007 First Light, I found myself somewhat taken aback by the resemblances, yet there are some notable differences. To shed light on these differences, let’s discuss how First Light distinguishes itself not just from Hitman, but also from earlier Bond games.

007 First Light Has Put an Emphasis on Combat

If you’ve dabbled in playing Hitman, you’d understand that the shooting and action aren’t particularly impressive. In fact, players usually prefer to stay out of gunfights in Hitman as it focuses more on stealth and solving social riddles rather than shootouts. On the other hand, James Bond’s universe is characterized by intense firefights, making them a crucial aspect of his games. Recognizing this, IO Interactive has worked hard to enhance the combat in their game. Not only have they improved the overall feel, but they’ve also added some complexity to distinguish it from other Bond games that sometimes slipped into generic shoot-em-ups.

In this new game, if an adversary threatens Bond’s life, he is authorized to defend himself by lethal means and may employ his firearm against opponents. The surroundings exhibit a certain degree of destruction, enhancing the action with dynamic elements. Should Bond find himself out of ammo, he can hurl his empty weapons at enemies, and if situated on a higher level, he can take down foes by pushing them off ledges to soften his own descent to a lower area. Overall, it seems that this game represents a significant improvement over IO’s previous projects.

James Bond’s Signature Charm Is a Gameplay Mechanic

In the world of stealth games such as Hitman, there are moments when guards detect you, leading to intense gunfights or chases that can be aggravating. However, IO Interactive has come up with a cunning solution for this issue in the game 007 First Light. Like James Bond himself, you can charm your way out of tricky situations, even with guards patrolling restricted areas. This is made possible through a clever bluff mechanic. It appears that this feature will only work if you’ve accumulated enough points or filled up some kind of meter, meaning not every confrontation can be resolved through charisma alone.

James Bond Is a Spy, Not an Assassin

In the game Hitman, every tool you possess serves the purpose of taking lives. Contrastingly, James Bond in the game 007 First Light isn’t an assassin; instead, he has a diverse arsenal of methods and devices that are non-lethal. For instance, he boasts a spy watch equipped to hack systems, temporarily blind adversaries, or incapacitate them with a laser beam. Furthermore, he can employ tasers and tranquilizer darts, and resort to hand-to-hand combat for non-violent confrontations. His extensive training also empowers him to surreptitiously overhear conversations for information, discreetly steal items from people, and much more.

007 First Light Puts You Behind the Wheel

Stepping into 007 First Light, it wouldn’t feel like a true James Bond experience without the thrill of high-speed car chases. You’ll have the opportunity to pilot some of the sleekest vehicles in breathtaking locales throughout the game. While Hitman didn’t feature anything like this, it’s become quite typical for Bond games to include driving sequences. Whether IO Interactive’s lack of experience with driving mechanics could impact these scenes is yet to be determined, but based on what I’ve seen so far, it seems they’re delivering the kind of over-the-top car chases you’d expect from a Bond adventure.

Hitman’s Open Ended Levels Get Combined With the Cinematic Spectacle of a James Bond Movie

The primary aspect of the last three Hitman games lies in being dropped into expansive stages with specific tasks, leaving it to you to devise strategies to complete them. There are numerous methods to eliminate your target, ensuring the game remains engaging upon multiple replays. Conversely, 007 First Light focuses more on narrative experiences, reflecting the cinematic sequences that define the James Bond films.

In these levels, you’ll encounter areas where you can freely tackle your goal using different strategies like gathering information from characters, causing distractions, and many other possibilities. This design element guarantees a sense of control and replay value in the levels. However, there will also be scenes with more structured events, such as a car chase or an action-packed showdown on the airstrip, which deliver the iconic Bond experience fans have come to expect. IO Interactive labels these scripted sequences as “guided gameplay” and the more open-ended sections as “main gameplay.

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2025-09-03 22:30