I had the pleasure of attending a 007 First Light preview at Gamescom, where I got a glimpse of live gameplay of the highly anticipated, upcoming spy action-thriller from IO Interactive. The team from IO walked us through a brief mission to locate a target at a gala while undercover, but soon fast-forwarded to some intense car chase scenes.
This was one of the most ‘protected’ experiences I had at Gamescom, hidden away behind the scenes in an area mocked up as a theater flanked by a classic Aston Martin. However, for all the pomp and circumstance of the reveal, I couldn’t help but feel I was watching gameplay pulled from the next Hitman game.
Here’s my full 007 First Light preview.
The Beginning of Bond
My 007 First Light preview opened with the IO Interactive squad setting the scene for the game. They explained that this is a brash, young, and somewhat inexperienced James Bond, fresh out of the military and working into what will become a legendary career as one of the most recognizable spy characters to ever emerge.
It was easy enough to see that concept surfacing in the first few minutes of the gameplay walkthrough at Gamescom. This James Bond was making quips, stepping out of his lane relatively early on, and perhaps fumbling where a more experienced 007 might not.
Unfortunately, as the sequence unfolded, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was watching a Hitman game on the big screen. It was also an early build, so a few bugs were present, emotionless NPCs were everywhere, and interactions felt a little flat.
It might be obvious at first blush, but both Hitman: World of Assassination, the most recent game in the series, and 007 First Light share an engine – Glacier. The visual palette is quite similar, but it goes beyond that, and a lot of the movement, UI, and underlying themes feel as though they’ve been ripped from Hitman.
As the IO Interactive team stalked the luxurious gala venue in Slovakia, trying not to arouse suspicion and searching for their target (in this case, 009), I felt as though I’d done the same thing a hundred times in the last 25 years in Hitman games. What’s different is that 007 is a cheeky British chap with a bit more agility than the gruff Agent 47.
Bond fans will absolutely appreciate the origin story that sees them shaping 007 and becoming acquainted with the likes of M, Moneypenny, and Q, but anyone coming into Bond from a Hitman background might feel a little short-changed. The timeline is also a little skewed. This is ‘young’ James Bond, but from the weapons to the vehicles, the game feels decidedly modern.
I should stress that these impressions are based on a short preview, so it’s perhaps unfair to tar First Light with such a tough brush this early on, but if I’m in the business of judging a book (game) but its cover (exclusive preview)…
But as the preview unfolded, I found myself nitpicking something awful. There’s not enough room here to expand on that.
Meat on the Bones
It’s tough to gauge how sizable 007 First Light will be, but I can see it having replayability value on account of the multiple approaches possible for each mission and situation. There are some extra modes attached to the game, like challenge runs, and the title seems to accommodate both lethal and non-lethal styles.
I witnessed Bond getting his ‘license to kill’ from MI6 first-hand, opening the door to a guns-blazing sequence that showcased the faster pacing of the game present in these scenes and car chases, for instance.
I was also privy to the game’s espionage mechanics, with Bond using distraction tactics, neat gadgets, and tricks of the trade like bluffing and persuasion to make his way to his target unimpeded. These are elements that you’d expect to see in a Bond game, of course.
I hate to play a broken record, but they’re also elements that are prevalent in Hitman. If you modded the game and replaced the all-new and original model of 007 with Agent 47, you’d probably not be able to tell the difference.
I want to highlight that I’m not disappointed with what I saw from 007 First Light; I’m just not yet convinced that it’s standing apart from Hitman enough for IO Interactive to push it as far as it can, especially as there’s a desire to make it a trilogy. I’ve always enjoyed the Hitman games, and I’d almost certainly enjoy 007 First Light, regardless of how familiar it feels.
For some, that familiarity is nothing but a good thing. It’s a comfort. I’m sure that with a fuller preview or a lengthy walkthrough, I’d have a much better sense of how First Light differentiates itself from Hitman beyond a few gadgets and heavily scripted car chases.
007 First Light is set to be released in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. Let me know what you think about it on the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that Paramount wants to make a Call of Duty movie as a priority
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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