IO Interactive returns to stealth with 007 First Light, portraying Bond as an unrefined agent in training within a reimagined origin. Early gameplay shown at Gamescom splits into three phases, beginning with a creative, exploratory sandbox that emphasizes stealth, environmental interaction, and social maneuvering. Bond can sneak, distract guards, use gadgets, and exploit social interactions to progress rather than relying solely on lethal force. Later segments escalate into full-throttle action. An Omega-branded Q Watch integrates HUD functions, gadget selection, and environmental analysis. Players are offered freedom in mission approach, with systems designed to support multiple playstyles.
IO Interactive seemingly wrapped up its assassination series Hitman in 2023, launching the anthology on practically every game platform. But it's not done with sneaking, subterfuge, and... sniper rifles. The game developer announced that it was making a new James Bond game, teasing an "unrefined" Bond in training - yes, it's another reimagined origin story. At a closed-door briefing at Gamescom, I watched the team play through some early parts of 007 First Light, with Bond part of a team of more seasoned spies hunting down a rogue double-'o' agent. Ah, that sounds like a Bond plot.
The gameplay was separated into three parts. First, the creative, exploratory sandbox part, as Bond tries to elbow his way into a bougie mansion - when he should be readying the escape car. Like Hitman, Bond can sneak around, triggering items to draw away guards or distract from his own actions. He scrambles up a building to get in through an open window, while vaguely flirting with staff and pretending he's meant to be there. The team explained that social interactions will form another part of how the rookie agent can interact with people and progress through areas and toward goals.
Some features differentiate First Light from the aforementioned bald-headed assassination games. First of all, it's far less centered on all the killing (at least until the full-throttle action sections later), with the team attempting to reflect Bond adventures beyond bullets and grizzly ends. There's also an Omega-branded Q Watch that attempts to elegantly fold in HUD features like location markers, weaponry, and gadget selection. It'll also help analyze the environment for interactive parts and opportunities for Bond. Players will apparently have a degree of freedom to decide how they approach missions and areas, even if we only saw one approach during this presentation.
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