Mission Briefings – A Bond Twist on the Hitman Formula
In Hitman, every mission traditionally began with Agent 47 being briefed by Diana Burnwood – her calm, precise delivery became an integral part of the series’ identity. In 007: First Light, however, the role of confidante shifts dramatically: it is now Moneypenny who guides James Bond into action. This change alone sets a very different tone, signaling that while IOI borrows from the Hitman playbook, it is also intentionally reshaping it for the Bond universe.
At Gamescom, I had the chance to experience this system first-hand – and it was one of the moments that truly excited me. I’ve always loved IOI’s Hitman mission briefings, to the point where I often replayed them before or after missions simply because of their cinematic flair. Seeing them reimagined for Bond instantly rekindled that feeling.
The briefing I saw was for Bond’s first mission in Slovakia. Instead of Diana’s voice, it was Moneypenny outlining why the 00 recruits, less familiar to 009 and carrying the advantage of unpredictability, had been selected to pursue him. The briefing featured memos with photos of MI6 operatives, sketches of the Grand Carpathian Hotel, and fluid animations that tied everything together. And while red was the dominant color in many Hitman briefings, First Light seems to adopt a golden palette, subtly underlining its new identity.
Why the Slovakia Mission Briefing Wasn’t Shown Publicly
Curiously, this briefing was not included in the official gameplay reveal. That omission feels unusual, and it opens the door for some speculation.
- Theory 1 – Still in development: IO Interactive might still be refining the sequence and chose to hold it back until they are fully satisfied with the presentation.
- Theory 2 – Preventing spoilers: Another possibility is that IOI wanted to avoid sparking premature fan theories. For a brief moment during the briefing, I noticed a distorted image of 009’s face. It’s striking, because logically MI6 – and the player – should know what 009 looked like.
This raises an intriguing possibility: perhaps IOI is concealing the involvement of a well-known actor, someone whose face the community would recognize instantly. That in itself would be exciting – but if we take the thought one step further, it could even hint at the return of a familiar Bond face. After all, we’ve already seen M brought back in First Light – portrayed by Priyanga Burford who appeared in No Time to Die (2021) as Dr. Symes, a scientist involved in the Heracles project. If IOI is open to reintroducing established characters with familiar performers, why not extend that idea to 009?
Pushing the speculation to its limits – and without any evidence beyond playful theorizing – one could even imagine an older Pierce Brosnan reimagined as a rogue former 00-agent.
No Disguise System in 007: First Light
While IO Interactive embraces the mission briefing style of Hitman, it leaves behind one of that series’ most defining mechanics: the disguise system. According to Content Creator JorRaptor, Bond does not have the ability to change into disguises that affect gameplay. Outfits exist in the game, but they are cosmetic only.
In the Gamescom demo, Bond could be seen wearing a chauffeur’s uniform, and previous trailers highlighted different looks, from sharp tuxedos to casual gear. However, these outfits do not let him adopt new identities to fool NPCs, unlock hidden routes, or alter mission flow as Agent 47 would. Instead, they are purely visual.
JorRaptor also revealed that outfits can be swapped during missions through the in-game menu. According to the Content Creator, IO Interactive is planning to expand Bond’s wardrobe with additional unlockable costumes, offered as rewards for mastering challenges.
We’ve already seen hints of this approach with the fanbase rewards tied to wishlist milestones and the pre-order DLC skins – all of which suggested purely cosmetic changes for Bond.
Why Dropping Disguises Works Better for James Bond
Personally, I believe this is a good decision, because it helps 007: First Light stand out more clearly from Hitman. James Bond may have operated under many cover names and false identities in novels and films, but these were rarely tied to elaborate disguises. Infiltration for Bond usually meant charm, wit, or credentials – not slipping into someone else’s uniform.
And let’s be honest: the few times Bond did go heavy on disguises, it didn’t always end well. Just think of Sean Connery’s infamous “Japanese disguise” in You Only Live Twice (1967) – a moment best left in the 1960s. For completeness, one might also recall Roger Moore’s clown outfit in Octopussy (1983), another rare instance where Bond went fully undercover in costume. When I picture elaborate disguises, though, my mind goes more to Mission: Impossible than to James Bond. For me, it feels right that First Light emphasizes Bond’s own identity rather than a mechanic borrowed wholesale from Agent 47.
What do you think about IOI’s choice to leave out a disguise system in 007: First Light? Do you agree that it makes Bond feel more authentic – and while we’re at it, who would you like to see cast as 009?
Source:
Youtube.com – JorRaptor: Exclusive 007: First Light Gameplay and Info (James Bond Game)
