Hitman
News, coverage and analysis tracking Hitman across the outlets.
007 First Light vs Hitman Series – What’s New?This article compares the upcoming game 007 First Light from IO Interactive with their established Hitman series, highlighting key differences in character portrayal, narrative structure, gameplay mechanics, and player agency. While Hitman focuses on Agent 47 as a blank slate within self-contained sandbox missions, 007 First Light explores a developing James Bond with a character-driven narrative and a greater emphasis on forward momentum and combat readiness.
007 First Light Now Ready for Action, James Bond PS5 Game Goes GoldIO Interactive announced that its upcoming James Bond title, 007 First Light, has officially gone gold ahead of its May 27, 2026 release date. This milestone signifies the completion of the game's 1.0 version, ready for disc production, with post-launch support and content planned beyond the estimated 20-hour campaign.
007 First Light Has Gone GoldIO Interactive has announced that 007 First Light has gone gold, with the game set to launch on May 27th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The Nintendo Switch version has been delayed to later this Summer. The action-adventure game serves as a new origin story for James Bond, featuring a 20-hour campaign that blends stealth, sandbox design, bluffing, close-quarters combat, and shooting.
What We Played – TerraTech Legion, Saros & MixtapeSeveral team members share their recent gaming experiences, including TerraTech Legion, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, Silent Hill 2, and Shadow of the Colossus. Other titles mentioned include Dragon Quest I: HD-2D Remaster, Starfield, Gears of War: Reloaded, Destiny 2, and various indie games like Midnight Saturn and Duck Side of the Moon.
'90s virtual reality, Battlefield 2142, and Total War: This month in PC Gamer 10, 20, and 30 years agoThis article looks back at PC Gamer magazine issues from May 1996, May 2006, and May 2016, highlighting cover stories and notable news from those periods. It revisits predictions about virtual reality and online gaming, discusses sequels like Battlefield 2142, and covers the launch of Total War: Warhammer and the early days of VR technology.
007: First Light isn't Hitman and IO Interactive is "really happy" people are starting to realise thatIO Interactive is pleased that players are recognizing 007: First Light is a distinct experience from their Hitman series. Developers emphasize that the James Bond title is a more linear, cinematic third-person stealth-action game, designed for a broader audience than Hitman. The team focused on elevating combat and simplifying the mental load to create a more accessible, action-packed Bond adventure.- MindsEye’s salvaged Hitman DLC cuts Agent 47, and seemingly a good chunk of its staff, tooBuild A Rocket Boy (BARB), the studio behind MindsEye, has reportedly conducted another round of layoffs, impacting senior staff and other developers. This follows the release of a salvaged DLC, now titled Blacklisted, which was originally a Hitman collaboration but had Agent 47 removed. IO Interactive confirmed the end of its partnership with BARB, and the DLC was released with significant changes.
Is 007 First Light open world, or are you on linear rails?IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, is described as a narrative action-adventure rather than an open world experience. While it incorporates elements of stealth and allows for varied approaches to objectives, similar to the Hitman series, it will not feature a fully explorable open world. Instead, the game focuses on a more authored story with distinct set pieces and guided gameplay.- IO Interactive "Can't Wait" to Return to Hitman SeriesIO Interactive has confirmed that more Hitman games are planned and the studio is eager to continue the series. The announcement assures fans of future installments in the stealth franchise.
"Why not?": Hitman studio IO Interactive is open to a 007 First Light sequel if people like the James Bond…IO Interactive, the studio behind Hitman, is open to developing a sequel to their upcoming James Bond game, 007 First Light, if the first installment is well-received. CEO Hakan Abrak expressed gratitude for the opportunity to create the game and stated that a sequel would depend on community reception and demand.
007 First Light's Bond is more "relatable" than Hitman's Agent 47, says developer: "Rather than an object of absurd fascination, he's an object of emotional relation"Developer IO Interactive aims to make James Bond in 007 First Light more relatable than Hitman's Agent 47 by focusing on his human emotions and charm. The game will feature direct jokes and funny observations, contrasting with the darker tone of Hitman. The article highlights the game's opening mission and its technical advancements using the Glacier 2 engine.
007 First Light's Campaign Length Reportedly RevealedThe main campaign for IO Interactive's upcoming game, 007 First Light, is reportedly around 20 hours long for the average player. This estimate does not include additional content from the Tactical Simulator mode, which will be added post-launch. The game is set to release on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC on May 27, 2026, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version planned for later in the summer.
PS5's 007 First Light Will See You Embody the Charismatic James Bond for 20+ HoursThe upcoming PlayStation 5 title 007 First Light is estimated to have a first playthrough length of around 20 hours, with additional replay value offered through its TacSim mode and potential live service updates. Developer IO Interactive plans to support the game with new objectives and missions post-launch, similar to their work on the Hitman series.- Dags att utse majs hetaste spel!This article discusses the most anticipated game releases for May 2024, highlighting titles like Forza Horizon 6, 007 First Light, and Subnautica 2 entering early access. It also mentions the delayed release of Grand Theft Auto VI and other games such as Fable and Hitman.
007 First Light isn't about mowing down hundreds of dudes because "it's important that every encounter feels crunchy and dangerous," says developerIO Interactive's Rasmus Poulsen discusses the design philosophy behind the upcoming James Bond game, 007 First Light, emphasizing a focus on dangerous, 'crunchy' encounters and a 'timeless' aesthetic. The game aims to capture the essence of a young James Bond venturing into espionage, with an intro sequence featuring a Lana Del Rey track that plays on the theme of light and shadow. 007 First Light is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X on May 27, with a Nintendo Switch version to follow.
What We Played – Tides of Tomorrow, TerraTech Legion & Adorable AdventuresSeveral individuals share their recent gaming experiences, including Overwatch, Alien: Rogue Incursion, TerraTech Legion, Final Fantasy VII Remake Integrade, and Hitman 3's Freelancer Mode. Other titles mentioned include Adorable Adventures, Moomintroll Winter's Warmth, Tides of Tomorrow, Ghost Master, Starfield, and various games on the AYN Thor handheld like .hack//Infection and Super Alloy Crush.
007 First Light Gets Rocky Start With Early Player Reviews | HappyGamerEarly player reviews for IO Interactive's highly anticipated game 007 First Light are mixed, with some comparing it unfavorably to Hitman: Absolution. Concerns have been raised about potential linearity and excessive hand-holding, reminiscent of the studio's past missteps. While IO Interactive has a strong track record with the Hitman World of Assassination trilogy, these initial impressions suggest the studio might be repeating past mistakes in its approach to the Bond title.
I played the MindsEye mission about the alleged game saboteurs, and it sucks so badThe 'Blacklisted' mission for the narrative shooter MindsEye, developed by Build a Rocket Boy, is a poorly executed and uninteresting experience. Originally intended as a Hitman crossover, the mission fails to provide any convincing evidence for the alleged sabotage against the studio, despite its short length and lack of engaging gameplay or story elements.
007 First Light perfectly balances cinematic Bond action with Hitman's signature sandbox freedom007 First Light aims to balance cinematic James Bond action with the sandbox freedom of the Hitman series. The preview highlights how players can approach objectives through stealth, impersonation, or direct confrontation, with combat feeling more action-oriented than in Hitman. Gadgets and realistic animations enhance the immersive experience, suggesting a successful blend of the two gameplay styles.- Morning InterviewsThe lead game designer for 007 First Light explained how the game differentiates itself from the Hitman series. Separately, the lead designer for Subnautica 2 stated that working on the game helped them overcome their fear of the ocean.