007: First Light Will Feature Faster Stealth Than Hitman Series
IO Interactive, the developer behind the Hitman series, has revealed new details about the gameplay approach for their upcoming James Bond game, 007: First Light. In an interview with Game Informer, gameplay director Andreas Krogh explained how the studio is adapting its signature stealth mechanics for the 007 franchise. The developer has been transparent about not wanting to create simply a Hitman game starring James Bond, nor an Uncharted-style action game. This leaves questions about what style of gameplay players can expect from the highly anticipated title.
According to Krogh, while Hitman treated stealth as puzzle design that will carry over to Bond, there’s a crucial difference. “In Bond, we are striving to do forward momentum gameplay all the time, both in combat and in stealth,” he stated. This represents a significant shift from the Hitman approach where players often take time to stake out situations and experiment with different approaches. The Bond game aims to reduce decision-making time and keep players moving forward more quickly.
Krogh elaborated on the differences between the two franchises’ stealth systems. “Where in Hitman, we had some setups where we wanted you to use some time to stake out the situation and maybe poke a little bit at it to see what happens. In Bond, you can use time to observe a situation, but it’s very evident there are options you can use right away.” This faster-paced approach aligns with the 007 IP’s reputation for fast-paced chase sequences and explosive action, contrasting with Hitman’s generally slower, more methodical gameplay.
IO Interactive appears to be carefully adapting their development philosophy to suit the James Bond franchise. While parallels exist between Agent 47 and James Bond as stealthy operatives, the studio recognizes the fundamental differences in pacing between the two properties. The “forward momentum” approach suggests players will experience more immediate action and quicker transitions between stealth and combat scenarios. This design philosophy represents IO Interactive’s attempt to do justice to the respective IPs while leveraging their expertise in stealth gameplay systems.
