It has cool gadgets
Proof that gadgets can work in moderate open world environments
I usually prefer not to typecast games but, as Agent will involve secret agents and espionage, it really needs to have some cool gadgets. How set gadgets can be incorporated into unscripted open world gameplay is a tough question, but more recent attempts like the brilliant Batman: Arkham Asylum shows how these elements can be blended together. Agent will hopefully be more free roaming than Arkham Asylum, but it’s a start and a promising one at that.
It has effective stealth sections
Proof that stealth can also work in open world environments
Hand in hand with cool gadgets is espionage. There’s no point having cool disguises and inventions if there is no attempt to deceive enemies with them. Stealth is once more not a genre that is seen to work well with open world environments. It’s not often, but there have been examples of it being handled well though. The recent Assassin’s Creed games come to mind. Put them in the modern day, and it’s already starting to seem like a winner.
It feels different to previous Rockstar games
A re-skinned Grand Theft Auto 4 will not suffice
I loved Red Dead Redemption as much as the next guy but, aside from a few new textures and horses, it really did feel identical to Grand Theft Auto 4 in terms of gameplay. Agent needs to shake this gameplay up a bit. If we get GTA4 with gadgets and a bit of spy fiction, I don’t think it will quite cut the mustard. Let’s hope we get new combat mechanics, a new focus and, if we’re lucky, a completely new engine.
