Hitman Devs Promise 007: First Light Gadgets That Actually Matter, Not Gimmicks

IOI Interactive is doubling down on player freedom, packing in more paths, playstyles, and outcomes at every turn.

IO Interactive is making a Bond game, and if you know the Hitman team, you know they have a talent for ridiculous-but-clever tools. Exploding rubber ducks, a lethal fish, disguises that barely pass the eye test — they have form. With 007: First Light, the studio wants that same inventive spirit, but they keep stressing one thing: gadgets can’t just be gimmicks this time.

Gadgets that actually pull their weight

Gameplay director Andreas Krogh told PC Gamer that Bond’s toys are being built to matter moment to moment, not just look cool on a loading screen. Think more sandbox utility, less one-and-done party trick.

"We wanted each gadget to feel practical, grounded, but fun and replayable to fit as many areas as possible... We also wanted them to feel distinct from each other, both visually and practically, so each have their own purpose. All in all, they should give the player a broad list of tools to fit [their] playstyle."

What the demo actually showed

In the big gameplay deep dive earlier this summer, we saw a younger Bond doing what Bond does — sliding behind the wheel of the fancy cars, landing clean headshots when it counts, talking his way past problems when that makes more sense, and sneaking like someone who’s spent a little time studying Agent 47’s homework.

The gizmos on display leaned practical: a laser watch that can stun a guard or slice something overhead so a chandelier comes down in dramatic fashion; a smoke bomb for when subtlety goes out the window; and everyday items, like a lighter, that can be turned into situational advantages. It’s playful, but it’s not slapstick.

• Laser watch: stuns foes or drops chandeliers with a well-placed cut
• Smoke bomb and improv-friendly items (yes, even a lighter) for on-the-fly problem solving
• Design goals: practical and grounded; fun and replayable; each gadget visually and functionally distinct; a broad toolkit to match your playstyle

Bond is not Hitman with a tux

IOI also says it set itself a challenge: deliver the studio’s best weapon handling yet. That matters because, unlike Hitman where pulling a gun is usually plan Z, 007: First Light is much more comfortable with ranged combat being part of the default toolset. Translation: stealth is still in, but the shooting has to feel great because you’ll actually be using it.

When and where you can play it

007: First Light is scheduled to launch March 27, 2026 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Nintendo Switch 2.