Is 007 First Light open world, or are you on linear rails?

With IO Interactive being the team behind 007 First Light, it’s only natural that Hitman fans are looking at Bond’s latest outing and wondering just how much freedom there’ll be.

The modern Hitman games are essentially individual murderous playgrounds, letting you exploit silly NPC routines and somehow turn a toilet overflow into a high-level assassination plan.

However, since 007 First Light does carry some of that Hitman DNA, or is it solely mission-based or an open world experience instead?

Is 007 First Light open world?

To put it plainly, no, 007 First Light is not an open world game. IO Interactive specifically describes the game as a “narrative action-adventure” following a younger, rougher-around-the-edges James Bond as he works through MI6’s training program and earns his famous 00 status.

That wording of this is pretty specific because it essentially states Bond isn’t being dropped into a giant map with a checklist of bases, radio towers, and collectable briefcases to hoover up. Instead, 007 First Light is built around a more authored story, with set pieces, stealth scenarios, combat encounters, car chases, and more.

Does 007 First Light have a linear set of missions?

What makes things a little confusing, though, is that the experience isn’t completely linear either. Based on previews and what we know so far, 007 First Light mixes guided gameplay with more open-ended areas, allowing you to approach certain objectives in different ways.

This is where the Hitman comparison actually fits. You may enter a location with a clear mission goal, but how you get there can branch out a little. You might bluff past guards, use gadgets, trigger distractions, or take a more physical route if stealth goes a bit pear-shaped.

The big difference is that 007 First Light isn’t structured like Hitman’s boxed-off assassination sandboxes. Instead, expect open areas, not an open world. It’s basically more like a Bond movie that you can manipulate from scene to scene rather than a giant espionage playground you can freely roam.

Hopefully, the fact that the game isn’t open world doesn’t deter you from picking up a copy, either via pre-order or when the release date rolls around.