“Since the release of Hitman World of Assassination, it has been our wish to enable this feature for players to be able to carry on their in-game progression, whatever the device you play on, and even more so since Hitman WOA is now playable on more than 10 different platforms,” wrote the company in its announcement. “Whether you’re switching from console to PC, playing on multiple devices, or changing to a new platform, your progression will now follow you, from the 3rd of February onwards, no matter where you choose to play.”

Cross-progression will allow players to carry their experience, player level, challenges, location mastery, unlocks and inventory, achievements/trophies, Freelancer mode progression, and Campaign Story progress over between different platforms. To access the feature, players will have to link their platform’s accounts to their IOI account. Doing so allows players to pick one of their platforms as their “primary progression profile,” with progression on other platforms following the primary one.

While player progress will be carried over, however, it is worth noting that things that need purchasing, like the game itself, and DLCs and DLC-based unlocks, will not be part of cross-progression. The studio has also warned players that, once the feature is live, old game saves created on a non-primary linked account won’t be loadable while cross-progression is enabled. The saves can be accessed if the feature is disabled, however.

As a side effect of bringing in cross-progression, IO Interactive has also announced that it is shutting down its Hitman 2 to Hitman 3 carryover feature. This, the studio noted, is due to data integrity and potential conflicts between legacy progression systems that could arise with the newer progression systems in Hitman World of Assassination.

While it has continued support for Hitman World of Assassination with a host of Elusive Targets, including one related to Bruce Lee and another featuring rap artist Eminem, IO Interactive has also been working on its next game—007: First Light. Being developed for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2, the James Bond game is set for release on May 27.

While 007: First Light might be a hotly-anticipated title, IO Interactive has also said that it will work on more Hitman games in the future. CEO Hakan Abrak referred to Hitman as the studio’s “flagship game,” and noted that Bond is the only licensed IP that the studio has been working on.

“We’ve created other original IPs from the ground up — ‘Bond’ is actually the only external, licensed IP that we’re working on,” he said. “And I would say that’s probably the only IP we will work on externally that is not ours. Somehow, it kind of made sense after 25 years of rehearsing for the agent fantasy and doing ‘007.’ That was a match made in heaven, you could say. But there’s no doubt ‘Hitman’ has been our flagship game, our long love for all the time IO Interactive has existed.”

“We’ve created other original IPs from the ground up — ‘Bond’ is actually the only external, licensed IP that we’re working on,” said Abrak. “And I would say that’s probably the only IP we will work on externally that is not ours. Somehow, it kind of made sense after 25 years of rehearsing for the agent fantasy and doing ‘007.’ That was a match made in heaven, you could say. But there’s no doubt ‘Hitman’ has been our flagship game, our long love for all the time IO Interactive has existed.”

Continuing the conversation, Abrak spoke about how Hitman 3 – now known as Hitman World of Assassination thanks to its essential combining of all three of the modern Hitman games into one package – will not be the final game in the franchise that IO Interactive makes. However, the studio also currently has plenty of other projects, including a co-op experience for Hitman, so a brand new Hitman might take some time.

“So of course there will be more ‘Hitman,’” he said. “But right now, I think we need to get to the other side of this year and next year you’ll get more news about ‘Hitman’ co-op, because I think co-op is a really, really good extension to the universe, and will introduce very interesting mechanics and combinations in ‘World of Assassination.’ But we will, after that, be talking about the next ‘Hitman’ — because, of course, there’s going to be a next ‘Hitman.’”

While we may not know what a potential Hitman 4 might look like for quite some time, lead level designer Jacob Mikkelsen indicated that there hasn’t been much regret in the studio about past titles in the franchise. He discussed his past experiences in working on the Hitman series, and while he identified 2012’s Hitman: Absolution as being the odd one out in the series thanks to its emphasis on more linear levels, he went on to say that the studio still learned important lessons from it.

“Actually, I don’t want to go back and change anything,” Mikkelsen said. “I think ‘Absolution’ is, of course, the one that stands out as being different. But ‘Absolution’ was a product of its time in so many ways, and we wanted to try something with a story that drove things more than what we saw in the previous games. And then we wanted to experiment with a different format of the gameplay. But that in itself, then led to, OK, now we know how to do better mechanics, better AI, better controls, better camera, better shooting, better on a lot of things.”

“And then, when we paired that with the sandbox mentality for ‘Blood Money,’ together they made up this new foundation that we could work on. So I don’t think I would change anything. And then also, looking back for so many years, and all the way back to ‘Contracts’ — gaming was just different back in 2003. It was much more underground and nowadays, everybody is gaming on everything.”

In the meantime, 007: First Light is making its way to PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 on March 27, 2026.

Abrak spoke about how Hitman levels are typically designed to be much denser and allow for several hours’ worth of gameplay. While Dispatch offers some replayability thanks to narrative choices that players can make, resulting in branching paths, Abrak noted that Hitman’s levels focused on it to a much greater extent. Having less replayability in a given episode also means that developers have to be quicker about releasing the next episode.

“Yeah, I’m playing Dispatch myself, I think half of the globe is. It’s freaking fantastic, it’s a very, very nice game,” said Abrak. “Absolutely. It is a bit different, though, right?”

“We were, for sure, too early with the concept, and there were many, many mistakes made. We were also banging on that one Hitman level can yield 50 hours plus of gameplay, whereas the Dispatch structure is a bit different. It’s a much more episodic format, where yes, you can go back and kiss Mandy, or not kiss her – I actually went back and replayed that part – but when there’s less replay opportunity, then you want to have the next episode coming sooner.”

The studio has taken these lessons to heart, said Abrak, who also spoke about the value of brevity for games. He noted that not all games need to be 40 hours long, and that the medium can also learn from short-form TV shows that tell an entire story in six episodes.

“So yes, there are learnings on that, and I think that’s a huge topic,” he said. “What is the future of gaming? Do all games need to be 40 hours? One of the things I enjoy a lot is short TV series, just six episodes, especially the British ones. I love that, it’s not too long. So I think it’s very interesting, we are thinking about these things for future instalments.”

While 2016’s Hitman saw an episodic release for its levels, IO Interactive largely left the idea behind when it released Hitman 2 and 3. The studio did manage to hang on to some of the episodic trappings, however, thanks to its regular releases of new content like Elusive Targets. Looking to the future, IO Interactive is currently working on 007: First Light for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s another full release rather than an episodic one. For more details about the upcoming title, check out the recent trailer unveiling the Aston Martin Valhalla.

The Elusive Target has been made available to all Hitman World of Assassination players for free, and will be available until November 20. Alongside this, IO Interactive has also released the Bruce Lee Pack, which provides a host of in-game goodies including the iconic Yellow Jumpsuit, Kali Sticks, Jade Dagger, Golden Dragon Scissors, and a two-level Arcade contract that features The Infiltrator as its Elusive Target. The pack also includes a set of cosmetic for the Safehouse in Freelancer mode.

In the story of the Elusive Target mission, Bruce Lee takes on the role of Agent Lee, who is working on infiltrating a powerful criminal syndicate based in Hong Kong known as the Concord Union. The mission itself takes place in the Himmapan Hotel in Bangkok, where a secret international martial arts tournament is taking place. Lee’s mission revolves around winning the tournament and, in the process, uncovering the identity of the leader of the Concord Union.

Over the course of the mission, players, in the role of Agent 47, will have to identify and neutralise threats that are trying to sabotage Lee’s attempts to progress through the tournament. The mission offers an interesting twist on Agent 47’s typical role as the predator, instead turning him into an unseen guardian that is trying to make sure that Lee makes it through the tournament.

On the gameplay side of things, the mission will feature a host of new gameplay mechanics. For example, players will be able to mess with the order of matches to influence how the tournament plays out. They can also have indirect effects on the tournament by tampering with equipment or sabotaging Lee’s opponents by making use of environmental hazards.

The mission also features a host of references to Bruce Lee’s filmography, ranging from the yellow jumpsuit he wore in his final film—Game of Death—to other references hidden throughout the Himmapan Hotel level. “[IO Interactive] worked diligently to ensure that Lee’s enduring legacy is honored with respect, care and admiration throughout this new mission,” wrote the studio in its announcement.

The last time Hitman World of Assassination got a major crossover event in the form of an Elusive Target was back in June, when it got a mission revolving around taking out Casino Royale antagonist Le Chiffre. Actor Mads Mikkelsen, who played Le Chiffre in the 2006 movie, reprised his role in the mission, and the level itself was based on the Paris mission from the first game in the recent Hitman trilogy.

In the meantime, IO Interactive has also been working on its next major game, 007: First Light, which is coming to PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 on March 27, 2026.

This largely comes down to the fact that IO Interactive sees combat in its Hitman games as a failure state, since gameplay in the titles revolve more around stealth. With 007: First Light, however, Krogh notes that players won’t want to outright avoid combat. Rather, drawing guns is being designed as a viable option.

“In Hitman we viewed ranged combat as a last resort for most players, which made it fairly hard and for most players something they wanted to avoid,” said Krogh. “This time around we have a character that invites ranged combat to be a viable option.”

In 007: First Light, IO Interactive wants players to be able to try their hand at stealth, and then pull out their guns to go on a killing spree if they want to, essentially offering a different gameplay experience in itself. With this design in mind, the studio wants to make sure that the shooting feels just as satisfying as the sneaking.

“First and foremost, we wanted to create a great system both mechanically and technically, but we also wanted it to feel fluid and responsive,” explained Krogh. “The aim is that even if you try to stealth and things go wrong, you will just handle the situation slightly different than what you set out to do, but you will still have a very satisfying experience shooting your way through.”

Earlier this month, audio and missions director Dominic Vega had revealed that players won’t get to hear the iconic James Bond theme song when they play 007: First Light right off the bat. Rather, he explained that players will ultimately need to have Bond earn his theme song, much like he’ll earn his 007 codename over the course of the game.

“Throughout the campaign he grows, and he’s earning his number – and he’s earning his themes,” said Vega, noting that “60 years of Bond, there’s a lot of sonic iconography.”

He also spoke about working with duo composers Joe Henson and Alexis Smith—known as The Flight—in creating music for 007: First Light. “They’re a really great composer duo with some amazing credits and some amazing music,” said Vega. “They’re a perfect blend of the sort of orchestral mastery that is required for Bond while contributing something modern, something that players I think will attach on to as a fantastic foot forward for the 007 franchise.”

007: First Light is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on March 27, 2026. For more details about the upcoming title, here are 10 things you need to know. Also check out how IO Interactive first pitched 007: First Light to get the rights to use the James Bond character for a game.

Alongside a physical copy of World of Assassination (which still requires internet access), owners will receive The Undying, The Splitter, The Banker and The Drop DLCs. The pack also includes a lenticular card celebrating 25 years of the franchise, all wrapped up in a Chess Master 3D Shadowbox. Unfortunately, the pricing is unknown, and IO Interactive hasn’t clarified what it means by the lack of legacy titles.

Either way, players will receive access to locations across all three titles in the contemporary trilogy and the rogue-lite Freelancer Mode. Stay tuned for an official announcement from the developer in the meantime.

Hitman World of Assassination is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch and, more recently, Nintendo Switch 2. Check out our review of the latter here.

Atomfall

Atomfall represents an interesting experiment by Rebellion – a studio known for its World War 2-based series of games where you take control of an elite sniper taking down hundreds of Nazi soldiers. Instead of arming the player to the gills and taking them through a roaring adventure, Atomfall instead makes sure the player is constantly scavenging for resources just to survive as they slowly uncover an epic story through their own investigations. Atomfall offers a unique single-player experience that blends investigation, stealth, survival, and just a hint of intense combat to keep things spicy.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Picking up directly after the events of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth takes us deeper into an epic story about environmentalism and the evils that mega corporations are capable of when allowed an unchecked monopoly. This time around, however, we get a massive open world to explore, complete with its own set of secrets for players to discover, as well as a host of fun minigames that help further flesh the world out. Pair this with an evolution of the already-fantastic combat system from its predecessor, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth tends to make for dozens of hours of pure fun.

Silent Hill 2 Remake

Trying to remake a game that is seen by many as one of, if not the best horror game ever made is no easy task, but Bloober Team managed to make it look almost effortless with its remake of Silent Hill 2. Much more than a remake, however, Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 gives us a look at how the seminal horror game would have been if it were made in the modern day – none of its feels even remotely dated, and the game makes use of the dense atmosphere and spookiness of its setting perfectly. Pair this with gorgeous visuals, incredible level design and wonderful creature design and you basically get one of the best horror experiences out there today.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

While it may have been a bit controversial when it first came out, The Last of Us Part 2 features some downright phenomenal storytelling thanks to strong writing and excellent voice work and facial capture, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered features some of the best third-person action combat in any game today. Add on top wonderful encounter design and clever, but tense, boss fights, and you get what essentially feels like a wild roller coaster ride of emotions along with high-octane third-person action.

Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erd Tree

What hasn’t already been said about the brilliance of FromSoftware’s single-player opus Elden Ring, as well as its critically-acclaimed DLC Shadow of the Erd Tree? The base game, on its own, is a culmination of over a decade’s worth of game design that FromSoftware had originated, improved, and ultimately mastered. Add on top some excellent and tense combat, plenty of character build options, and a wide-open world where only your own skill level can really block your path, and you have a title that deserves just about every accolade it has gotten since then. And once you’re done with the base game, Shadow of the Erd Tree offers an entirely new level of challenge, complete with a brand new landmass to explore, new bosses to fight, and even more of the intricate lore to uncover.

Astro Bot

Astro Bot is a game that proves that Nintendo isn’t the only major gaming company that can make a beloved 3D platformer. The title, essentially a love letter to just about every aspect of PlayStation, also manages to be a great game on its own thanks to its excellent level design, great visuals, fantastic soundtrack and tight gameplay. While the story is simple enough, with Captain Astro trying to reunite with the PlaySquadron after the PS5 mothership is wrecked by Nebulax, what really elevates Astro Bot along with its core gameplay is the reverence it has for all things PlayStation. The game is also filled with plenty of nods and references to the history of the console, including even references to niche titles like Loco Roco.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

While the 2017 release of Horizon Zero Dawn was no slouch when it came to visuals and gameplay, the whole game got massively upgraded thanks to the Remastered release, bringing it up to par with its sequel. Essentially an origin story, players are put into the shoes of Aloy who is trying to figure out how she can stop the wars between the neighbouring tribes. Along the way, plenty of mysteries are uncovered, including the very nature of the world and the mechanical beasts that roam its lands. Horizon Zero Dawn is an excellent open-world action-adventure game which offers a great mix of strong writing in its main campaign, as well as optional objectives through side quests as well as open-world collectibles.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

While Valhalla was met with mixed reception, especially with some of its gameplay elements, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is evidence that the genre is still capable of strong games with fun open worlds to explore. Besides Syndicate, we now get to play as two distinct protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, each with their own distinct playstyles – the combat-oriented Yasuke and the stealth-oriented Naoe. Through the two characters, we get a unique take on Sengoku-era Japan, with the duo trying to figure out the conspiracy behind not only the death of Oda Nobunaga, but also the death of Naoe’s family as well.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate feature incredibly strong writing full of interesting things to do, as well as by offering players an almost infinite amount of freedom when it comes to figure out solutions to problems. Baldur’s Gate 3 takes place during an invasion by mind flayers, with the player themselves being implanted with a tadpole that will at some point also turn them into a mind flayer. After escaping from the captivity of the mind flayers, the player finds themselves, along with other unlikely heroes, on an island, where they must work together to figure out a way to not only make it to the city of Baldur’s Gate, but also to get rid of the parasitic tadpoles that they have all been implanted with.

Days Gone Remastered

Days Gone offers a unique take on the open-world zombie survival game by giving the player one of the most important tools you can have in such a situation – a motorcycle. Along with his bike, protagonist Deacon must explore the world, deliver supplies, protect his friends, and in the process, figure out what led to the “Freaker” outbreak, and how he can save his wife. The game also has a unique system that allows for incredibly massive hordes of zombies to attack the player if Deacon accidentally trips an alarm that attracts them to his location. Coupled with fun combat courtesy of a mix of melee and ranged weapons, and Days Gone Remastered has all of the ingredients to make for a fun time.

Dead Space Remake

The original Dead Space was rightfully praised for its excellent atmosphere and strong gameplay paired with intense claustrophobia and incredible monster designs. The remake of Dead Space takes these elements and cranks it all the way up to eleven. While you’re still going to be stepping into the shoes of Isaac Clarke as he explores the USG Ishimura, several things have been redesigned, from the massive planet cracker class ship’s layout making more sense, to weapons getting rebalanced so that the Plasma Cutter isn’t the only good weapon you have access to. The story also gets some expansion thanks to Isaac no longer being a silent protagonist. The presence of a new kind of collectible also ends up adding a few more interesting wrinkles to an already-strong story.

Resident Evil Village

A few years after the series managed to reinvigorate itself thanks to Resident Evil 7, the franchise decided to take a more action oriented approach. Much like the transition from classic horror Resident Evil games to Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil Village ups the ante on not only the action, but also the scares and the story. Taking place after the events of RE7, Village involves protagonist Ethan Winters once more setting out against unimaginable horrors in a mysterious village to rescue his daughter. The title features plenty of boss fights, great combat encounters, and one of the most insane endings to a game out there. The Winters Expansion also brings with it new content, as well as a third-person mode for the main campaign.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 

The first title by studio Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition managed to set the world on fire in large part thanks to its deep and thoughtful story, imaginative and gorgeous visuals, and a clever combat. What sets Clair Obscur apart from others in the genre is how it makes use of not only parrying and dodging as active actions the player has to time with enemy attacks, but also the fact that each of its characters has unique mechanics of their own, be it Gustave’s Overcharge system, or Lune’s element juggling, or Maelle’s stance system.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

A remastered release of a classic open-world RPG that came out all the way back in 2006, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is not only a great game in its own right, but also acts as a fun history lesson to help us understand just how Bethesda got to its follow-up, Skyrim. Oblivion Remastered takes place in idyllic pastures of Cyrodiil in the midst of an invasion from the various Oblivion realms. The player will also get to explore several cities and villages, while also partaking in epic questlines for various activities, from stealing to assassination, and even gladiatorial combat. Despite the almost two decades since its original release, the level of freedom offered by Oblivion still manages to feel unparalleled.

Cyberpunk 2077 + Phantom Liberty

With Cyberpunk 2077 and its Phantom Liberty expansion CD Projekt RED ended up creating one of the most ambitious urban open-world games out there. Along with telling a deep and compelling story with themes about rebellion, mortality, and the sense of self, Cyberpunk 2077, along with its spy thriller expansion, also managed to offer plenty of fun side-activities for players to do as they drive around Night City and try out their fancy cybernetic implants against gang members, corrupt cops, and corporate mercenaries.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is one of the most unique open-world fantasy RPGs out there. Along with a unique class system where the player is encouraged to keep switching between different classes to mix and match abilities, the game also features some epic boss fights in the form of mythical monsters to kill. Oh, and there’s also the Pawn system, where a player can create a companion for themselves who can also be sent out to other players’ games to assist them and come back with experience and new items. Pair this with a mind-bending plot that involves the world also getting messed up because of the player’s own actions, in turn opening up even more epic boss fights for adventurous players to take on. And now that most of its technical issues have been ironed out, Dragon’s Dogma 2 has become an excellent way to spend a weekend or two.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

While several games have tried to put players in the shoes of characters inspired by Indiana Jones, few have done it as well as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The first-person action-adventure game melds puzzle solving with intense action sequences, some platforming courtesy of Indy’s whip, and plenty of stealth as players try to avoid crossing paths with hostile soldiers.

Lies of P + Overture

While we may not be getting ports or remasters for FromSoftware’s Bloodborne any time soon, we did get the next best thing in the form of Lies of P and its Overture DLC. The Soulslike action RPG puts players in the shoes of “puppet mechanoid” Pinocchio with a simple mission – find Mr. Geppetto. As he explores the city of Krat, however, he comes across deranged hostile puppets that he must deal with. Along the way, players get plenty of choices when it comes to what kind of weapon they’ll use thanks to the game’s unique weapon system where a player is free to mix-and-match different handles and edges to get unique weapons with their own movesets and special abilities. The Overture DLC expands things further by sending players into Krat’s past, where they get to see the city before its fall.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

A remastered release of classic hack-and-slash action game Ninja Gaiden 2, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is by far one of the toughest games available these days. Putting players in the role of ninja Ryu Hayabusa, the story revolves around the machinations of the Black Spider Ninja Clan as they launch an assault against Hayabusa Village. As Ryu fights off these threats, players will have to learn how to effectively wield his various tools, from the straightforward katana to more advanced items. The game also allows players to dismember enemies, and while they can still attack after losing limbs, they can at least be killed off for good by using the Obliteration Technique.

Shadow Labyrinth

While Shadow Labyrinth might not look like much from the outset, it ends up being quite a clever platforming game that melds exploration with gameplay inspired by classic arcade titles. Players take on the role of Swordsman No. 8, who wakes up on a mysterious planet. As they spend time exploring this planet accompanied by Puck, players will have to discover secrets and get new abilities as they figure out how to take on many of the various challenges they will face throughout their time in Shadow Labyrinth.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

While the Ratchet & Clank franchise had gone mostly silent after the 2016 reboot, it came back with a bang on the PS5, not only acting as a great showcase for the hardware capabilities of the at-the-time new console, but also being a fantastic action/adventure game in its own right. Along with telling a fun story with everyone’s favorite Lombax, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart also introduces us to new character Rivet, who serves as a deuteragonist in the story. As the two desperately jump across different dimensions to stop the evil machinations of Dr. Nefarious, players will also find themselves making use of new, strange and funny weapons to take on the enemies they face.

RoboCop: Rogue City + Unfinished Business

RoboCop: Rogue City being such a fun experience with a surprising level of polish is the biggest example for the fact that the AA games scene still exists, and maybe even thriving. The game puts players in the shoes of RoboCop as he takes on a variety of different missions in crime-ridden Old Detroit. Along the way, players will get to make plenty of choices that further help define just how much humanity RoboCop still has within him. The standalone expansion Unfinished Business adds even more content to the game, bringing with it a host of new challenges for RoboCop to take on as he takes on mercenaries and new enemy types occupying OmniTower.

Sifu

While action games have always been incredibly popular, few have ever managed to nail the martial arts genre as well as Sloclap did with Sifu. With players taking on the role of a martial artist out for revenge for the murder of their mentor, Sifu features unique action mechanics where players can make use of their own Kung Fu-styled movesets, as well as the environment to take on groups of enemies. The title features 15 different locations, across which players will get to take on a wide variety of enemies. Along with this, the title also features a unique mechanic where a death leads to the protagonist aging, making their strikes deadlier but also making them more frail. Sifu has also gotten quite a bit more content thanks to extensive post-launch support by Sloclap.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

While Koei Tecmo’s Dynasty Warriors franchise has seen its fair share of ups and downs, the company undoubtedly struck gold with the release of Dynasty Warriors: Origins. The game, introducing a brand new protagonist, also brings with it some of the grandest battles that the franchise has ever seen. The gameplay largely revolves around the player cutting down large swathes of enemy soldiers across various battlefields as they also try and complete objectives to further continue the campaign of the various factions warring for supremacy over Mainland China.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

After the success of Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the sequel served as a way for the studio to expand on every aspect of the game. With five years having passed since the events of Fallen Order, Survivor once more puts players in the shoes of Cal Kestis as he sets off on a battle against the Empire. While things start out well enough, a mission eventually goes badly enough to force Cal to get some allies for his struggle, including brand new characters as well as returning characters from Fallen Order. The gameplay offers considerably more options than its predecessor, with new stances that offer more chances for unique gameplay, as well as a more interesting skill tree this time around.

Suikoden 1 & 2 Remaster

A remastered release of seminal RPGs that were originally made for the original PlayStation, Suikoden 1 & 2 Remaster is a great way for a new generation of players to experience a pair of the most unique RPGs to have ever been made. Along with the player taking on the role of a protagonist, players will also have to find and recruit special characters known as the Stars of Destiny into their own army as they fight off the forces of evil. Both titles also feature heavily political storylines, with corruption playing a central role throughout their stories. What makes both titles even more fun to play back-to-back is the fact that they take place in the same world, so the sequel becomes a great way to see what has changed since the events of the first game.

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

While the Uncharted series has been one of the most iconic franchises for PlayStation since the first game came out on the PS3, all good things must come to an end. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves features two titles – Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: Lost Legacy. While A Thief’s End focuses on the final adventure of protagonist Nathan Drake, Lost Legacy is a smaller-scaled game with brand new protagonists in Chloe and Nadine, as they face off against a warlord named Asav can get it. When it comes to gameplay, both titles feature third-person action, plenty of areas to explore, puzzles to solve, and in the case of Legacy of Thieves, even one larger space where more experimental gameplay can be tried out.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

While many of the best games out there can be described as being subtle, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is not one of them. Every bit as loud, brutal, and exaggerated as the Warhammer 40,000 setting demands, Space Marine 2 puts players in the power armour of Ultramarine-turned-Deathwatch Soldier-turned-back-into-Ultramarine Demetrian Titus as he ends up on Imperial planets Avarax and Kadaku in the midst of the first Tyrannic War. Facing off against hordes of Tyrannids, players must make use of the game’s hybrid ranged and melee combat system to stop all opposition and complete various objectives. Once you’re done with the campaign, the game also features extra missions in the Operations mode which, while meant to be played in co-op, can also be enjoyed solo along with AI-controlled team mates.

God of War Ragnarok

Taking place a few years after the events of 2018’s reboot, Ragnarok kicks things off with the coming of Fimbulwintr, as the player figures out how to best keep their people safe from their enemies. Ragnarok features a blend of excellent level design and offers several enhancements to gameplay, with bigger worlds to explore, and plenty of more skills to make use of in the game’s frantic, high-impact combat.

System Shock Remake

A remake of a classic sci-fi shooter/RPG hybrid from 1994, System Shock Remake does a masterful job of recreating the feeling of playing the original thanks to its unique art style that melds modern graphical technologies with a low-fi look that maintains the vibrant color palette of the original. System Shock Remake is also one of the best ways to experience the origins of iconic evil AI SHODAN, who serves as the primary antagonist for the player as they explore Citadel Station and try to figure out how they can survive, and ultimately, escape. Along the way, players will have to fight, sneak, and shoot their way through enemies that were once the human inhabitants of Citadel station.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

While the indie game space has many 2D platforming titles, few have reached the quality that Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist manages to reach thanks to the title’s strong level design, well thought out upgrades, and interesting story. The game takes place in the Land of Fumes which, because of unchecked science, has started turning artificial beings, dubbed Homunculi, into feral monsters. Players take on the role of an Attuner named Lilac who can save the Homunculi from their gruesome fate. Players will get to explore a variety of zones, from abandoned laboratories to ancient caverns and vibrant fields, as they explore the Land of Fumes and unlock new abilities to further aid exploration and combat.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

The genre is no stranger to crafting compelling open-world games, and this quality is shown off quite well in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. While it might be easy to brush aside as a movie tie-in game, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora ends up being a fantastic way to explore the world first seen in James Cameron’s Avatar movies. In Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, players must ultimately defend Pandora against the forces of the RDA. The game features a compelling main campaign, along with several side missions that help further flesh out the world.

Gran Turismo 7

Quite easily the standard bearer for the modern driving sim game, Gran Turismo 7 has just about everything that a fan of cars and the culture surrounding cars and driving could hope for. Along with franchise classic gameplay mechanics like license tests returning, Gran Turismo 7 also features a massive collection of cars for players to collect, as well as constant updates that further improves the car collection of the game, as well as bringing in new events across various vehicle classes that players can compete for.

Hitman World of Assassination

Essentially the most complete package in terms of the Hitman trilogy, Hitman World of Assassination features quite a bit of content for the intrepid single-player game fan. Along with an epic campaign spanning three games’ worth of locations and targets, the title also features the Freelancer mode, which combines the title’s free-form gameplay with a roguelite progression mechanic. Hitman World of Assassination offers players plenty of unique ways to take out their targets, alongside a wide variety of items and weapons that can be used to accomplish just about any task the game throws the player’s way throughout its levels, which span from the US, to South America, to India, and even Dubai.

Alan Wake 2

Quite easily one of the strangest games to have come out in recent times, Alan Wake 2 is a survival horror title that picks up more than a decade after the original Alan Wake. While the titular character serves as one of the protagonists, quite a few parts of the game have players take on the role of FBI agent Saga Anderson who is visiting Bright Falls to investigate the brutal, ritualistic murder of fellow FBI agent Robert Nightingale. Along the way, the paths of Saga and Alan intersect in interesting, fourth wall-breaking ways, and Alan Wake must ultimately figure out the best way to end the story of Saga Anderson.

Neva

Equal parts platforming game and atmospheric experience, Neva puts players in the shoes of a young woman, Alba, and a friendly wolf as they explore a world that is on the verge of dying. As is to be expected from a game by the developers of Gris, Neva features downright gorgeous art and a gripping soundtrack that adds several layers to the atmosphere as they explore a dying world. The gameplay revolves around Alba and her wolf companion slowly learning to work together as they complete platforming sections, combat encounters, and even a few puzzles along the way, all while the duo try and figure out how they can survive.

Little Nightmares 2

A low-key experience, Little Nightmares 2 explores the wider world outside of the first game’s setting of the Maw. With players in the shoes of a young boy named Mono, as he explores the Pale City. The game makes use of a more minimalistic style of storytelling, leaving it up to the player to figure out the secrets behind the Pale City, the signal tower, and the things that lurk within the tower.

Nobody Wants to Die

While narrative adventure games can often be quite fun, few match the level of polish and visual fidelity of Critical Hit Games’ Nobody Wants to Die. Taking place in the year 2329, the player takes on the role of NYPD detective in the Department of Mortality James Karra. With the gameplay largely revolving around puzzle solving and exploring the overall narrative, players will have to figure out the strange circumstances behind a mysterious death affecting a victim that wasn’t supposed to die – a member of the New York City elite. As the mystery unfurls, players will find themselves in the hunt for a serial killer, as they also explore concepts of morality, and what immortality truly means for a person that has more money than they could spend over several lifetimes.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

A direct sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, A Plague Tale: Requiem picks things up around six months after the events of its predecessor. The story revolves around siblings Amicia and Hugo de Rune, who decide to travel south in order to try and look for a cure for Hugo’s affliction. The gameplay is an iteration over the first title, with players taking control of Amicia and being helped out by Hugo from time to time. However, both characters also have plenty of new abilities to play around with in combat encounters. A Plague Tale: Requiem also acts as an absolute feast for the eyes considering its incredible level of visual fidelity and strong art direction.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

An RE Engine remake of a classic zombie game, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster has players take on the role of intrepid photojournalist Frank West as he is exploring the circumstances surrounding a military-enforced lockdown in the sleepy town of Willamette, Colorado. In a series of events, West, along with a bunch of other survivors, find themselves trapped in a mall that also happens to house hordes of zombies, as well as a few psychotic lunatics lurking around. West only has three days of real-world time to figure out a way to escape from the mall with as many allies as he can. The original Dead Rising, and by extension the Deluxe Remaster, is famous for the immense level of customisation offered by the game when it comes to its weapon crafting system, focusing primarily on melee weapons.

Pacific Drive

A unique take on the roguelite formula, Pacific Drive combines the sense of adventure one might find in exploring randomly-generated levels, along with the joy that often comes from working on a beaten up car to gradually improve it with better parts over time. The player is put into the shoes of “The Driver” as they explore the Olympic Exclusion Zone after accidentally getting pulled into it through a vortex. The zone is full of strange activity, however, with even roads constantly shifting and moving about, and the player must find other survivors and eventually, a way out. To help the player accomplish this, they have a car known only as the Remnant, which can be improved with new loot that you find, as well as new parts that you can craft once you get the right materials.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

While the original Citizen Sleeper was a, pardon the pun, sleeper hit in its own right thanks to excellent writing and unique gameplay elements inspired by Disco Elysium, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is an improvement in just about every aspect. Carrying over its predecessor’s strong anti-capitalism slant with an interesting story, Citizen Sleeper 2 revolves around the player trying to figure out a way to escape the “ownership” of Laine, and in the process, ending up in a lawless portion of the Hellion star system, known only as the Belt.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

While Kojima Productions’ first outing as an independent studio after Konami – Death Stranding – was an interesting and unique game in its own right, the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, takes things up a notch in every way possible. Along with broadening the core gameplay loop of making deliveries across long treks, Death Stranding 2 also features a more grand story of wider scope, with more interesting main villains. Along with this, the core combat has also seen massive improvements, giving players more tools to take on an even wider variety of enemies, ranging from well-armed humans to massive kaiju-sized BTs. This along with a jump in visual fidelity makes Death Stranding 2: On the Beach a journey well worth taking.

Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong features some downright fantastic boss fights and is further elevated by the fact that the game’s combat can be described as being nothing short of absolutely joyous in how well it controls, how responsive the game feels, and how well the encounters are set up to get players to use every tool they have in their kit. There’s a reason, after all, why Black Myth: Wukong would launch to immense success in terms of concurrent player counts as well as copies sold.

Hogwarts Legacy

It’s easy to describe Hogwarts Legacy as an open-world action/adventure game, but that would be ignoring how lovingly it recreates the world of Harry Potter that long-time fans of the book series could finally explore in depth. While the title doesn’t really do anything new, it is still a fantastic way to spend some time owing to the care with which the titular Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and its surrounding areas have been recreated. Players can live out their dreams of being an aspiring wizard in the world of Harry Potter, attending classes, getting stronger at magic, and even helping quell a goblin rebellion in the process.

Star Wars Outlaws

While Star Wars Outlaws may have been released to middling reception and suffered from plenty of problems, several updates since its release have turned the game into a must-play adventure, especially for fans of Star Wars. Now that plenty of the game’s fundamental issues, like broken stealth mechanics, have been fixed, the story of Kay Vess is quite a bit of fun to experience, especially thanks to the open-world structure of the title, complete with different factions vying for your attention. The adventure also continues thanks to the release of two expansions for the game – Dead Man’s Hand and A Pirate’s Fortune – both of which add plenty more content to an already feature-rich title.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

A unique take on narrative games, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream has players exploring the city of Eriksholm in the shoes of Hanna. With an emphasis on stealth, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream gives players plenty of chances to figure out the story behind the world as Hanna slowly continues her quest to find her brother. The game also features gorgeous visuals, with the city of Eriksholm being one of the most interesting settings for a game in recent times. Along with this, players will also get to make use of an extensive arsenal of tools as they sneak around the guards of the industrializing city.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

While 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man was a fantastic return of the web-slinging superhero to video games, its sequel – appropriately titled Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – decided to expand on the original’s ideas in epic ways. Along with featuring two Spider-Men, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 also gives us a deeper look into the stories and motivations behind both of the superheroes. Pair that with an incredible open-world that is an absolute joy to traverse through thanks to Spider-Man’s set of abilities, as well as a fun rogue’s gallery to take on throughout the story and side-content, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is in many ways one of the best superhero experiences currently available on the PS5.

Horizon Forbidden West

A follow-up to Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West once again puts players in the shoes of Aloy as she decides to explore parts of the western coast of the continent. Along with brand new visuals and a deeper look into the overall world and lore behind the Horizon franchise, Forbidden West also gives us improved combat that feels a lot more dynamic, along with more fun and intense boss fights that will have players make use of just about every tool they have at their disposal. Horizon Forbidden West, along with its Burning Shores expansion, can in many ways be described as the ideal sequel, where it builds on the foundations set by its predecessor in new and interesting ways.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

In a genre that is dominated by fantasy and sci-fi works, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 manages to stand out thanks to its use of a real-world historic setting. Along with exploring the lands of Trosky in the 1400s, players – who once more take on the role of Henry – not only get embroiled in a plot that can be best described as a political-thriller-meets-war-story, but they most also live in an interestingly simulationist game world. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 of will have you squint your eyes as you try and make out text in a book, depending on Henry’s level of literacy, and train with swordmasters to learn new ways to swing your sword, all while also trying to make sure that you don’t die of starvation or villagers don’t run away from because you haven’t had a bath in a while. These gameplay systems makes for a great way to kill a few dozen hours.

Hi-Fi Rush

The last hurrah – at least for the time being – for Tango Gameworks before the studio was shut down by Microsoft last year, Hi-Fi Rush is a unique hack-and-slash action game that rewards players that have good rhythm. The unique hook of the game is that players are encouraged to attack, jump, and dodge their way through fights to the beat of the background music. While you can still finish the game if you miss every beat, landing the beat with good timing rewards you with higher damaging moves. Pair that with a vibrant art style, hilarious writing, an excellent soundtrack, and some downright fantastic boss fights, and you get one of the most fun and unique action games out there.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

When it comes to third-person action RPGs that have a heavy emphasis on their narratives, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is one of the most interesting releases of the lot. Taking place in the unique setting in 1695, players take on the role of Banishers as they set out to explore the lands, figure out the origins of curses, and most importantly, unravel mysteries that could lead to some very uneasy answers to important questions.

The First Berserker: Khazan

In the over a decade and a half since the release of the first game that could be called a Soulslike – Demon’s Souls – we’ve seen plenty of studios take a stab at making their own. Few have gotten as close to the standards set out by FromSoftware as Neople with The First Berserker: Khazan. Alongside taking place in an interesting world based on the DNF franchise, The First Berserker: Khazan also offers some strong action RPG gameplay, complete with a wide variety of weapons and incredibly challenging boss fights. Pair this with a downright gorgeous art style and you are bound to end up with a good time.

Jusant

At the outset, Jusant looks like it will be an incredibly simple game. Its core gameplay mechanic revolves entirely around climbing, after all. However, while the gameplay mechanics themselves might feel simple enough, Jusant also uses those same mechanics to deliver an incredibly powerful story that is slowly unraveled as the player – in the shoes of a nameless boy climbing a gigantic rock tower – makes their climb. Sure, there might not be much in the way of stakes, especially since you can’t really die in the game. However, the strong, often emotional writing throughout Jusant more than makes up for any shortcomings that might be present in the gameplay department.

Mafia: The Old Country

While Mafia 3 might have served as a bit of a detour for Hangar 13 with its focus on open-world gameplay, with Mafia: The Old Country, the studio went back to the franchise’s roots in more ways than one. Not only is it a linear story-based game with set missions that players will take on, its story is also taking us all the way back to the eponymous Old Country, where the Sicilian Mafia first originated. The gritty early-1990s mob story features Enzo Favara as the new protagonist, as players live out his fight for survival in his attempts to get a better life for himself after living through a brutal life filled with forced labour. Mafia: The Old Country is an incredible return to form for Hangar 13.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

While the original Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was an interesting game anchored by strong performances, especially from lead actor Melina Juergens as the titular Senua, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 cranks just about everything up to eleven. Not only has the gameplay seen plenty of improvements, the story itself, along with the presentation have been upgraded so much, the word “cinematic” hardly does the title justice. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 once again takes us to Viking Iceland where Senua has to take on difficult battles against the forces of tyranny to save not only victims, but also save herself in the process.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

When it first came out, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was widely considered to be one of the best games for its home platform – the PlayStation 2. 21 years later, we now have a remake in the form of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Not only do we get upgraded visuals and improved gameplay with modern control schemes in the remake, we also get to re-experience a fantastic spy thriller set during the Cold War, the events of which end up having repercussions for the entire Metal Gear franchise as a whole. Snake Eater has players take on the role of Naked Snake as he sets off on Operation Snake Eater to take down The Boss, her elite squad known as the Cobra Unit, as well as commander of GRU Volgin.

Gears of War: Reloaded

It’s no secret that the original Gears of War was one of the most important games on the Xbox 360, helping spawn an entire franchise that is still going on to this day. Celebrating this history, developer The Coalition has bought back the Gears of War Ultimate Edition with a fresh coat of paint. Calling it “faithful remaster”, Gears of War: Reloaded features high-resolution assets, as well as full optimisation to run on all modern-day gaming platforms, including the PS5. Along with the excellent campaign that kicks off the saga of Marcus Fenix in his war against the Locust threat, Gears of War: Reloaded also includes plenty of multiplayer features, including co-op mode for the campaign, as well as competitive multiplayer.

Echoes of the End

While a debut outing for studio Myrkur Games, it could be easy to assume that the developers behind Echoes of the End have had quite a bit of experience with game design. The game may not feature complex customization options and deep puzzles. Rather, it features fun combat, a gorgeous world, and puzzles with just the right level of complexity to not get you too frustrated. Pair that with some excellent writing and characterisation for protagonist Ryn and her travelling companion Abram Finlay, and you have a great single-player campaign that doesn’t overstay its welcome thanks to its 14-hour runtime.

Animal Well

While at first glance, Animal Well might not look like much thanks to its art style making use of stark colour contrasts, often with black backgrounds in most of its scenes. Spending a little time with the tidal, however, reveals one of the most interesting platforming titles to have come out since maybe Hollow Knight. Animal Well puts players in the shoes of a small creature that has freshly hatched from a flower, and must now explore the world to figure out their own life. What sets the title apart is how well it makes use of its art style – which features wonderfully detailed environments all over the place – not only for the sake of gameplay, but for atmosphere as well. Along with its platforming trappings, Animal Well also serves as a horror title thanks to the player not having ways to fight back against creatures that might harm you; players must instead make clever use of the world around them to figure out ways around dangerous obstacles.

To lean further into the themes of what a James Bond game would entail, the studio made use of the Sapienza level, which involves the players assassinating targets in a large mansion while also destroying a dangerous virus that was being developed in an underground lab beneath the mansion.

“We actually did put Daniel Craig in there”, Abrak said. “We just modeled his head and put it in instead of Agent 47, just for demo purposes, giving an impression of what these living, breathing spaces mean in an IO game. And if you are acquainted with the franchise, there is a level called Sapienza with the virus in the caves underneath the compound. So we showed some things off there and, yeah, it was well received.”

According to Abrak, the fact that IO Interactive was able to pitch a game that didn’t just involve constant action set pieces with guns blazing and explosions everywhere helped sell the idea more. The core of the pitch revolved around the fact that the studio is able to design intricate levels that offer a variety of gameplay styles, all of which would be right at home in a game based on James Bond.

“It was just for demo purposes, right?” Abrak explained. “I think what they saw in us and what we are also conveying is our angle would be to try to deliver a 360 experience where it’s not necessarily about only shooting and cut scenes — there’s certainly that in our game as well — but it’s also being able to explore the part of the Bond fantasy where he is in social spaces where he is using not only his fisticuffs, but also his charms and bluff and figuring out different ways in those social spaces to overcome the obstacles or get what he wants. How would a charming Bond fare in a situation like this where he doesn’t have to necessarily resort to violence?”

As for why the final product doesn’t feature Daniel Craig’s take on the James Bond character, Abrak revealed that the studio wanted to focus on an origin story for 007. To do this, it ultimately decided to go with Patrick Gibson to portray Bond in 007 First Light. This, he explained also helped the studio in making sure that the title isn’t seen as simply being a movie adaptation. Rather, as Abrak describes it, the studio wants it to be “built from the ground up as a game for gamers” while also offering an authentic James Bond experience.

“We’ve only made original worlds and characters before, so this is our first time working on something else”, Abrak said. “So it was very important for us that we could put our creative fingerprints on this as well. So we weren’t interested in a gamification of a movie or maybe where it’s about technical prowess only, like pushing the pixels on Pierce Brosnan, for example, or just taking some bespoke scenes from a movie and realizing them in gaming.”

“It was very, very important for us that this was built from the ground up as a game for gamers, but that really, really felt like a genuine Bond experience. And also exploring a space that hasn’t been explored before, where it’s not necessarily about just starting from day one with this super-experienced agent that knows exactly from the start of the game how he wants his drinks or how he’s walking around in a tuxedo. But part of the experience is that this young man is learning the ropes and is being faced with the world of espionage and becoming throughout this journey. So I thought that was very interesting to explore.”

007 First Light is being developed for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and the Nintendo Switch 2. The title is slated for release on March 27, 2026.

Smit also spoke about the talent that has been working on 007 First Light, and how the studio has grown since the game was originally announced. He referred to the development of the upcoming James Bond title as a “really big growth moment” for IO Interactive as a whole.

“We have a very talented team back home, and our team has expanded ever since we first announced the game,” said Smit. “Obviously, that meant there was even more interest. We were able to bring in amazing fresh talent to bolster what we already have at the studio, and that has been a really big growth moment for us as a studio.”

Smit credited the new developers that IO Interactive had hired for the development of 007 First Light with differentiating the upcoming title from Hitman, noting that they offered “fresh eyes, fresh expertise, all of that.” These new developers were able to help design a brand new game “while still leaning [into] our strengths, [with] the pedigree of 25 years behind us. It comes about the game first. The experience first. If you’re looking at Hitman, it’s the way it is for a particular reason, because that’s the gameplay experience we want to give. For Bond, it’s not exactly that. It’s not a reskin of that.”

Art director Rasmus Poulsen also spoke about some of the challenges behind developing 007 First Light, especially when it comes to brand new game mechanics for the studio like having vehicles that can be controlled by the player; something Hitman games don’t have. “It was absolutely a huge challenge, and also a challenge we didn’t take on lightly,” explained Poulsen. “We had to bring onto the team specific driving expertise, i.e. people that had experience coding, setting up, tweaking, balancing.”

“Because of course it’s a balancing act of making a vehicle feel both exciting, credible, and dangerous at the same time as being approachable and fun for a wide audience. So absolutely, that balance is very difficult and indeed a new adventure for us, so something we took very seriously. And I’m pleased to say, I feel [we] have landed in an amazing space.”

007 First Light is slated for release on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on March 27, 2026. The title was showcased during a State of Play presentation earlier this week, with quite a few new details being revealed. Among the things shown off were the stealth gameplay, a high-speed car chase, an explosive plane boarding, melee combat, bluffing, and even some of the gadgets that players will have access to as they take on the role of James Bond.

“I was the executive producer on [2012’s] Hitman Absolution, and I swore never to do more new toilets,” said Abrak. “We were just doing new everything. It was just a throwaway. When we were doing the initial foundation on Hitman 2016, we built it in a way where we would do smart reuse.”

Abrak also revealed that the development budgets for the Hitman games had gone down since the trilogy started. While he didn’t reveal precise figures, he did give us an example; if 2016’s Hitman was developed for $100 million, Hitman 3 – which was the highest-rated game of the trilogy – would comparatively have a budget of $20 million.

“Without being too precise, Hitman 2016… let’s say it was a $100 million game. Hitman 2 was maybe $60 million. Hitman 3 was $20 million,” he said. “And Hitman 3 was the highest Metacritic. It was 85, 84, and 87 Metacritic. And it had very unique new locations. Obviously, there’s a bigger investment into Bond. It’s a more expensive and ambitious product. But the way we build it, the longevity… if we were to look at sequel at one point, who knows? At IO, we have a really, really good way of trying to be efficient. That’s extremely important to us.”

Ultimately, Abrak spoke about how excessive budgets largely came about because of wasted resources. Describing the development of Absolution as wasteful, Abrak went on to talk about how IO Interactive has since become much more efficient in developing its titles.

“With Absolution, we wasted so much,” he said. “It was a wasteful production. As studio production director back then, I completely changed our thinking. The World of Assassination is a vision that started 13, 14 ago years ago. Building this foundation, the brick system as we call it, where we can make an experience, like [new Hitman mission featuring Mads Mikkelsen] very quickly and efficiently. This was a really part of us creating sustainable AAA production. I’m not going to sit here and say we are doing everything right. We’ll keep on trying to improve and be less wasteful, but still super ambitious.”

“Like most industries, our industry is also going through maturity. That’s what we are living through. We could have grown a lot more, we could have taken on more projects, but we’ve been very mindful about growing at the pace where our culture and our expertise could follow.”

While the most recent bit of content for Hitman World of Assassination – Casino Royale’s Le Chiffre as an Elusive Target – IO Interaction is currently working on its next major game: 007: First Light. While the game is slated for release on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2026, Abrak has confirmed that the studio isn’t quite done with Hitman either.