007 First Light is eager to be a James Bond experience that leans more into spy thriller territory than pure action shooter chaos. IO Interactive’s franchise director, Jonathan Lacaille, recently shared some insights about the game’s direction, revealing the team’s plans to blend their signature style with classic Bond elements.
The main takeaway? This won’t be about blasting through every mission. Instead, expect a balance between shooting, driving, and gadget use—all designed to let you feel as clever as Bond himself. Lacaille explained that while IOI is known for its stealthy gameplay, they couldn’t tell the full Bond story just by sticking to that formula. So, they’re mixing things up.
007 First Light to Feature Shooting, Driving, Gadgets, and More
During an interview with GamesRadar+, Lacaille detailed how 007 First Light will include driving sequences—a first for IOI games—and shooting will be a significant part of the gameplay. Interestingly, shooting was considered a “failing condition” in Hitman, but here it’s more central. Still, they don’t want players just to shoot their way through missions. Instead, you’ll have many tools and gadgets to approach objectives differently.
The gadgets support “varied and spread out” strategies, giving players options beyond just guns. The recent announcement trailer showed off some of the vehicles, weapons, and gadgets Bond will use, promising a classic spy toolkit mixed with IOI’s stealth mechanics.
What’s interesting is how IOI is walking the line between their Hitman roots and the expectations of a James Bond title. Can they pull off a game that feels smart and tense without turning into a nonstop shootout? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
Hitman fans might also be interested to know about a recent collaboration involving James Bond and Mindseye, connecting the two franchises in a neat crossover moment.
