It’s still a long way out until the release of IO Interactive’s007 First Light, but the developers have already showcased plenty of exciting gameplay aspects to look forward to. From exhilarating car chases, stealthy espionage, and bombastic action sequences,First Lightlooks like it will be a more than faithful adaptation of the film series after a decade-long absence since the last gaming entry in the franchise. While I’m still more than optimistic about007 First Light’s release, I can’t help but be a little disappointed by the complete lack of multiplayer for the upcoming spy thriller.
Given the lack of definitive multiplayer experiences offered by IO Interactive in the past, aside from the mixed reception around theirKane & Lynchgames, it’s easy to understand whyFirst Lightwouldn’t release with multiplayer. With a greater focus on delivering a satisfying narrative experience as a first outing for Bond,007 First Lightcould very well be the start of another long-lived series for the studio. Despite IO Interactive statingmultiplayer was never plannedfor007 First Light,an upcoming addition to their legendaryHitmanfranchise could already be teasing a co-op-themed adventure for Bond.
Hitman Is Finally Getting A Long-Awaited Multiplayer Mode
Co-Op Is Coming To Hitman After A Near Decade-Long Wait
Nearly a decade since the release of the first entry in IO Interactive’sHitmanreboot trilogy, the series is finally introducing a highly-requested co-op mode for the very first time. In IO Interactive’s live stream clip posted by Reddit userImpossible_Spend_787,the gameplay seems practically identical to a regularHitmanmission but with two player-controlled assassins replacing the titular Agent 47. While we’ve only seen a sneak peek at what the developers admit is an early version of the concept, it’s still an incredibly exciting addition that will add even more replayability toHitman’s near-endless sandbox experience.
While details are still scarce about the extent of the upcoming co-op mode itself, it’s confirmed to feature the two playable assassins, Knight & Stone, first seen inHitman 2’s Sniper Assassin game mode, which experimented with multiplayer years prior, albeit in a more limited capacity. With no release date available yet, it will likely be some time before the anticipated game mode becomes a reality. Despite the lack of information,IO Interactive’s multiplayer inclusion already has massive connotations for not only theHitmanfranchise but even007 First Lightitself.
With007 First Lightalready far enough along in its development cycle to shoot for a 2026 release date,it’s unlikely that IO Interactive will suddenly change their minds about slipping a half-baked multiplayer intoFirst Light’s release. Rather than taking further risks with an experimental game mode for a brand-new franchise, it makes much more sense to useHitmanas a testing ground for features that could make their way intoFirst Light, or even its potential sequels in the future.
Multiplayer Is A Core Aspect Of 007’s Gaming Legacy
It’s Hard To Imagine 007’s Success Without Multiplayer Functionality
Even with007 First Lightoffering a soft reboot for the series in the form of a new origin story, characters, and taking more notes from the novels that started the franchise, it’s hard not to compare it to the iconic legacy of its predecessors.Starting all the way back withGoldenEye 007on the Nintendo 64, multiplayer functionality has been a core part of the DNA for most Bond games that followed its revolutionary impact.Although few follow-ups managed to achieve the same level of enjoyment, thebest007gamesoften share the inclusion of multiplayer functionality.
WhileGoldenEye 007’s PvP modes are much simpler than today’s standards, later entries in the007gaming franchise offered alternative game modes that focused on team-based objectives and even co-op functionality.The 2004 release of007 Everything or Nothingis a great example of how co-op can be done right in a James Bond game, offering a wholly unique campaign that can be played split-screen or through online multiplayer. While this mode wasn’t as polished as the single-player campaign, it still offers a great blueprint that games like IO Interactive’s007 First Lightcan borrow from.
Bond often has no shortage of friends to call on for aid or to inevitably rescue during his missions.
Even outside the gaming adaptations of the series,007’s original film counterparts rarely see Bond working entirely on his own, at least for the majority of eachfilm. Whether in the form of his revolving door of romantic interests or trusted allies in the Secret Service, Bond often has no shortage of friends to call on for aid or to inevitably rescue during his missions. A multiplayer player mode would also be another great opportunity topay homage to the filmsby adapting its own version of iconic allies to Bond, like the CIA’s Felix Leiter.
007 First Light Could Be Laying The Foundation For Multiplayer Compatibility
The Future Seems Bright For Fans Of The 007 Series
Even if multiplayer is one of mymost highly requested featuresfor007 First Light, it’s by no means necessary to provide a satisfying and successful experience. Rather than attempting to pack several experimental mechanics intoFIrst LIghtat once,the series will have a much better chance focusing on the narrative strengths of the franchise, combined with IO Interactive’s incredible gameplay design. While the formula of theHitmanseries is already a perfect fit forFirst Light, any features like its gunplay will need a significant overhaul to work in a Bond-centric game, which is especially true for multiplayer.
Any features like its gunplay will need a significant overhaul to work in a Bond-centric game, which is especially true for multiplayer.
One of the biggest questions surrounding007 First Light’s release is whether the upcoming game will launch in a similarly staggered episodic formula as theHitmanseries or release as a complete experience all at once. Given the much greater focus on narrative in the trailer and promotional material,it’s unlikely thatFirst Lightwill follow the same formula as theHitmanseries.Even with the new focus on telling a complete story,post-launch DLC forFirst Lightcould easily offer their own self-contained adventures or experimental new game modes like Hitman’s Sniper Assassin co-op mode.
While it’s far too early to say for sure how long IO Interactive plans to supportFirst Lightas a live service title, multiplayer could very well be included as a future update, or even built from the ground up in one of theFirst Lightsequels that IO Interactive plans to make if it sells well. If007 First Lightmanages to achieve anywhere near the success ofHitman,I’m more than optimistic that a future sequel will incorporate a co-op mode, allowing Bond to face even deadlier threats with the help of a friend.
