007 First Light PREVIEW: I Couldn’t Stop Seeing Hitman with a James Bond Skin

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At Gamescom, I enjoyed participating in an early peek of the 007 First Light preview, featuring live gameplay from the eagerly awaited IO Interactive spy action-thriller yet to come. The team at IO guided us through a concise mission to identify a target amidst the glitz and glamour of a gala, disguised as one of the guests. However, they quickly sped up the demo to showcase some pulse-pounding car chase sequences instead.

Among the experiences at Gamescom, this one stood out as particularly exclusive, tucked away in a makeshift theater setting, complete with an iconic Aston Martin on either side. Despite the grandeur of the unveiling, it struck me that what I was witnessing bore a striking resemblance to gameplay from an upcoming Hitman title.

Here’s my full 007 First Light preview.

The Beginning of Bond

The beginning of my 007 First Light preview showcases the IO Interactive team establishing the game’s setting. They elaborate that this James Bond is a bold, slightly green, yet inexperienced agent, having just left the military and embarking on a career that would eventually make him one of the most iconic spies ever known.

In the initial stages of the gameplay demo at Gamescom, it was evident that this new James Bond was cracking jokes, venturing beyond the traditional lines a bit too soon, and maybe showing some signs of inexperience compared to the usual polished 007.

Regrettably, as events transpired, it seemed like I was witnessing a live-action Hitman video game. Given that it was still in development, there were some glitches, numerous non-emotional characters populated the scene, and the dialogues lacked depth.

At a glance, it may seem like two different games – Hitman: World of Assassination and 007 First Light – have distinct elements. However, upon closer inspection, they share a common engine, Glacier, which is the basis for their visual styles as well as many of their movements, user interfaces, and underlying themes, giving the impression that some aspects were borrowed from Hitman.

As IO Interactive’s team navigated the opulent Slovakian gala, stealthily moving without causing alarm and seeking their quarry (which was 009 in this instance), it seemed to me like I had performed this mission a hundred times over in Hitman games spanning the past 25 years. What sets this apart is that 007 possesses a bit of British wit and has more nimbleness compared to the rugged Agent 47.

Fans of the Bond series will undoubtedly enjoy this origin tale that molds 007 and introduces characters such as M, Moneypenny, and Q. However, those new to Bond via Hitman might find it lacking in some aspects. The narrative also seems slightly out of sequence, as the game presents a ‘young’ James Bond; yet, the weapons, vehicles, and overall feel are distinctly contemporary.

As a gamer, let me express that my opinions are derived from a brief sneak peek, so it might be unjust to label First Light so harshly this early into the game. However, if I’m critiquing based on first impressions alone, then…

As the preview unraveled, I couldn’t help but find minor flaws that seemed quite bothersome. Unfortunately, there simply isn’t enough space in this context to delve deeper into the specific issues.

Meat on the Bones

007 First Light’s size may be hard to predict, but its potential for replay value is evident due to the variety of strategies you can employ for each mission and circumstance. The game offers additional modes such as challenge runs, and it appears designed to cater to both aggressive and non-violent playstyles.

In person, I saw James Bond obtain his “license to kill” from MI6, which kickstarted an action-packed series featuring rapid pace, intense gunfights like the ones depicted, as well as exhilarating car chase sequences.

In addition to witnessing the game, I was also familiar with its spy-related features. Bond often employed diversions, clever devices, and techniques such as deception and persuasion to smoothly navigate towards his target without obstacles. As you’d imagine, these aspects are indeed common in a Bond-themed game.

It’s a bit repetitive, but there are similarities between Hitman and the other game as well. If you were to swap out James Bond’s fresh new character for Agent 47 in the game with modifications, it would likely be challenging to discern the change.

To clarify, I’m not expressing dissatisfaction with 007 First Light; instead, I find myself uncertain if it distinguishes itself enough from Hitman for IO Interactive to take it to its full potential, particularly since plans are underway to create a trilogy. Despite the sense of familiarity, I have always appreciated the Hitman series and am confident that I would find 007 First Light enjoyable as well.

For certain individuals, the familiarity is more than just pleasant; it’s soothing. With a more comprehensive introduction or an extended tour, I am confident that I would gain a far clearer understanding of how First Light distinguishes itself from Hitman, going beyond just a few unique tools and heavily choreographed vehicle pursuits.

The highly anticipated game, 007 First Light, is slated for release in 2026 across platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and personal computers. I’d love to hear your thoughts about it on the TopMob forum!

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2025-09-03 21:49