007 First Light developers have revealed how Hitman’s DNA will be incorporated and how they will be developing brand-new systems for the game.
007 First Light was revealed during Sony’s State of Play event last month, bringing players a brand-new story in the James Bond universe, developed by the creators of Hitman, IO Interactive. The title is set to receive a brand new gameplay trailer this summer, and ahead of that, they have revealed some fresh details for 007 First Light.
007 First Light Will Feature a Blend of Open Moments and Linear Scenarios
During an interview with VGC, IO Interactive franchise director Jonathan Lacaille discussed how Hitman will influence 007 First Light, but the game will be distinctly different. Lacaille states that when players think of Hitman, they imagine “a very open space”, where you need to be methodical and patient. At the same time, 007 First Light’s James Bond is a young character who can be somewhat reckless and lacks sufficient patience.
Lacallie elaborates that if Hitman is about being “more methodical”, 007 First Light is about “making you think fast under pressure”. The developers will provide players “a sense of forward momentum”, where they will often find themselves thinking about options like going right or left, defeating all guards or letting them live, does the situation need you to blow your cover and more.
The game will feature a blend of open moments and linears moments. When the developers are taking us through the narrative, they will kind of “drive” the players through it. When it makes sense to open it up, they will do so as well. The developers also want to incorporate some “very big stunts and cinematic moments”, so they will have to go “a bit more linear” in that way.
007 First Light Will Feature Replayability Like Hitman
Lacaille explains that 007 First Light will feature replayability, as it’s in the DNA of the studio, but it will be done in a very different way. Players will also have the option to tackle a mission, allowing them to revisit specific scenarios with new approaches and strategies. For example, picking the guard you need to track could open up different routes. Additionally, there may be multiple ways to access a single room.
007 First Light Devs Mention ‘Passive and Offensive’ Gadgets
The IO Interactive franchise director touched on the gadgets we can expect in 007 First Light. Players will receive a wide variety of gadgets from Q Lab, which can be used in “passive or offensive” ways. Passive ways include unlocking a door, hiding cameras, or eavesdropping on conversations. Regarding offence, it’s how players use these gadgets in combat sustainability, such as destroying an extinguisher to create a smoke screen. More details will be revealed through 007 First Light’s gameplay reveal trailer.
IO Interactive has built New Systems from Scratch
Lacaille stated that they are “benefitting” from everything they have done in the past with Hitman, but many new features and systems are being built for 007 First Light from scratch. The franchise director explained that “James Bond is very different from Agent 47 in terms of gameplay and the fantasy, and what we want to tell with the characters”, which is why these new systems have been built.
For example, none of the previous Hitman games had driving, but 007 First Light does, so they had to build that system from scratch. The same goes for shooting, as shooting in Hitman means failing a mission, they had to develop this system again for a Bond game. Similarly, new systems were designed for taking cover, using gadgets, and more.
007 First Light’s Galacier Engine Makes it Easy to Port to the Switch 2
Another interesting point that Lacaille covered was 007 First Light’s Switch 2 port. The franchise director explained that they have an “amazing engine,” the ‘Glacier Engine,’ which allows them to “bring a game to as many platforms as possible with limited friction.” At the same time, IO Interactive thinks the “Switch 2 is a powerful device – powerful enough for us to bring First Light to it natively.”
In other news, 007 First Light will be more of a spy thriller than an action shooter. What are your thoughts on how Hitman is influencing 007 First Light? Let us know through the official Insider Gaming forums discussion.
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