While James Bond stories have their fair share of action scenes, there also tend to be quieter moments that focus more on characters interacting with each other. In a similar manner, IO Interactive’s upcoming 007: First Light will also give players some downtime between the more action-packed sequences. In an interview with GamesRadar, cinematics and narrative director Martin Emborg spoke about the differences in the pacing of the title when compared to the studio’s previous works with the Hitman games.
This change in pacing will borrow from 2012’s Hitman: Absolution, which mixed in gun fights with stealth, espionage, and a focus on narrative. While Emborg noted that some players might not like this, since even Absolution had a mixed reception when it first came out, it is a necessity owing to James Bond as a franchise being more narrative-focused.
“The reason for this approach is that the Bond experience is much more focused on narrative, and very often on a ticking clock of some kind – so leaving the player to their own devices in a World of Assassination style sandbox doesn’t cater to the needs of an action/adventure game like 007 First Light,” he explained. “Social stealth and infiltration are huge components of the game, but it simply needs that extra narrative focus that Absolution had.”
Alongside the bombast that you might expect from a Bond-styled action sequence, Emborg noted that social infiltration will also play a vital role in crafting the overall story.
“I hope that the social infiltration experience will make players feel truly like Bond, with all of his wits and charm at their fingertips – not shooting anyone, not driving a cool car, but simply being Bond – and that’s something that has not really been explored before in video games,” he said. “The action is great, but we hope that players might be surprised at how much they enjoy those quieter experiences.”
Gameplay director Andreas Krogh also chimed in, saying that 007: First Light will have a balance between linear gameplay segments that focus on storytelling and exposition with more open gameplay areas that offer players more freedom in their approach. Much like Hitman, 007: First Light will also offer a list of challenges that will encourage players to revisit already-completed missions.
“Obviously, the more linear segments, which are focused on story exposition, won’t have a lot of variation, as they are supposed to deliver the same narrative outcome every time,” said Krogh. “But every time we open up in the core gameplay areas where you can fully choose between stealth and combat, there will be multiple distinct ways through those areas, which will open these up for some replayability. On top of that, we have a list of challenges for each of these areas to make sure you explore and experience all there is in the more open areas.”
007: First Light is coming to PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2. Originally slated for release in March, the title has since been delayed to May 27. In the meantime, check out its PC requirements, which eventually got updated to reflect that less RAM was actually required.
