Summary
Given that theMission: Impossiblefranchise has excelled at the box office, it might finally be time for the series to return to gaming after so many years, especially with the industry having proven it could do the IMF justice. Aside from the occasional tie-in games like the mobile app forMission: Impossible - Rogue Nationor theLego Dimensionslevel pack, there hasn’t been aMission: Impossiblegame in over two decades. Given the success of the modern films, that should absolutely change.
One challengeMission: Impossiblegames might face is successfully adapting the films' unique approach to the video game format. Though theMission: Impossiblemovies have centered around main character Ethan Hunt, the original premise behind the series was to have a rotating cast of characters whose skills would be vital for completing each particular mission. So while the later games also adopted Ethan as a sole protagonist, they did initially attempt to reflectthe franchise’s roster of IMF specialists. Recent video success stories could helpMission: Impossiblerevive its own games and that original vision.
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Mission: Impossible Deserves A Gaming Comeback
While it might not have been the right time forMission: Impossibleto seamlessly transition to video games when it was first attempted, the latest films have reclaimed the reputation the franchise once had. Comparable to the likes of James Bond in both age and style,Mission: Impossiblehas capitalized on its popularity culminating with the recent release ofMission: Impossible - Dead Reckoningas the first of two films and another member of Hollywood’s two-part trend. But with Tom Cruise possibly looking to retire from his lead role one day - despite recently saying he would keep making the movies for as long as he can - thefuture ofMission: Impossibleis uncertainfrom 2024 onwards.
As a result, this could be where gaming can carry the torch forMission: Impossible,as in the absence of more films, there could instead be new games. Emphasized by the recent train wreckcomparisons betweenDead ReckoningandUncharted 2, the franchise’s films already boast a game-like vibe, so a traditional single-player approach would likely succeed. But with the improvements of online games, multiplayer, and more,Mission: Impossiblemight also be able to return to its original premise with games that boast multiple characters to control either alone or with friends.
The Style of IO Interactive’s Hitman Trilogy Would Suit Mission: Impossible
The recentHitmantrilogy from IO Interactive could actually be the ideal template from which to lead the revival ofMission: Impossiblegames. From its dynamic sandbox levels to game mechanics like disguises and gadgets, the core design behindHitmanis similar if not identical to theMission: Impossibleformat. It’s also perhaps no coincidence, then, that following itsHitmantrilogy,IO Interactive is working onProject 007, an as-of-yet unnamed James Bond game that is capitalizing on the shared values and ideas that it,Mission: Impossible,andHitmanall have.
But if it were to lead aMission: Impossiblerevival, IO Interactive could take the brand further thanHitmanor James Bond, as both are limited to a primarily single-player approach. While IO Interactive could do the same forMission: Impossible, a more innovative concept could see a cast of several playable characters used within each level who can be coordinated by one or more players. WhereHitmanmay have been limited to just Agent 47,Mission: Impossibleoffers multiple IMF agentsthat could be selected during mission planning based on their specialties, gear, and more. IO Interactive could even create its own stories just as it will forProject 007, with the new games becoming another part of the burgeoningMission: Impossiblemultimedia franchise.
