The James Bond video game license appears to be in good hands with Hitman developer IO Interactive, as there are plenty of ways its prior work might inform well upon their coming attempt at a Bond game. Shortly before the release of Hitman 3, IO announced that its next game would be Project 007. The title a work in progress, much like the franchise itself after a few lackluster games through the Daniel Craig era of Bond films. 007 has largely been on a video game hiatus since. By the time Project 007 releases, it will have been a decade since the last Bond game, but the MI6 agent's return is promising given that it might include elements of the Hitman series.
The recent Hitman games in the World of Assassination trilogy have detailed and inventive secret agent gameplay. Each Hitman title is divided into repayable levels which act in some ways like large, explorable puzzles. Agent 47 accumulates tools, dons disguises, and searches for assassination opportunities in each gameplay sandbox, and while these distinct levels can make the world feel a touch disjointed at times, the narrative is consistently compelling, told through cutscenes upon level completions.
James Bond movies and games are typically globe-trotting affairs, though perhaps not traveling quite as wide as the Hitman games, which take Agent 47 to many distinct locales. Project 007 should likely adopt a similar sort of level setup, with interactive puzzle mechanics and a slew of gadgets - but the game world's structure might have to be altered in order to accommodate the 007 brand. In many ways, James Bond and Agent 47 operate similarly, but their characters are distinct enough that simply dropping Bond into a Hitman game likely wouldn't feel right.
Project 007 Should Use Hitman's Level Design And Items
The most important aspects to take from Hitman's level design for Project 007 are probably the populations and restricted areas. Like Agent 47, Bond tends to operate in plain sight, only much more publicly. The so-called secret agent tends to let people know he's around, making sure they hear his name not once, but twice - "Bond, James Bond." Casinos, restaurants, and picturesque locations like Hitman's Sapienza level are well-suited for crowds in which 007 can work. Bond is often sent halfway around the globe on little more than a hunch, having to gather intel from the people present, so players should do the same in Project 007.
Eventually, Bond has to infiltrate a villain's hidden lab, or sneak away from a party to which he was invited. He may be the most public secret agent in the world, but Dr. No and Auric Goldfinger don't take kindly to him snooping. This is where the puzzle elements of Hitman's level design come into play. Agent 47 has a tendency to utilize increasingly authoritative disguises as a means to reach his target. 007 occasionally does the same, but more often than not, he slips into a back room in a tuxedo after he's ordered his trademark shaken martini. However, the freedom of choice is important in a video game. Players should probably be able to decide if they want to choke out a guard and steal their austere henchman outfit, or find a route that involves peering around corners and slipping past guards.
Infiltration is largely where Bond's gadgets come in to play. The Hitman games already give players plenty of items, with more to be found around the level. 007 is rarely seen walking around with a wrench and a brick to go along with his pistol like Agent 47, but IO Interactive can surely come up with some neat gadgets from Q Branch. Each Hitman introduced new gadgets, all useful in their own way, so no doubt Bond will receive some useful trinkets in Project 007.
There is a lot that Project 007 can borrow from the Hitman series, especially in terms of gameplay. Large differences in game design between the two IO projects will likely come down to aspects of the James Bond franchise that aren't seen in Hitman, such as car chases and narrative sequences involving direct contact with the antagonist. Of course, this is all assuming IO Interactive stays in its wheelhouse for Project 007, but an ambitious change in game design might also come along with the change in franchise.