When IO Interactive finally revealed 007 First Light, reactions were split as excitement grew for Bond’s first proper game since 2012’s poorly received 007 Legends.
On the other hand, a wave of skepticism rose almost immediately. To many, the gameplay looked a little too familiar.
Crowded environments, disguises, subtle manipulation of NPCs—it was easy for critics to write it off as Hitman in a tuxedo.
How Has IOI Responded to the Accusations?
The team didn’t dismiss those complaints and made sure to address them, with franchise art director Rasmus Poulsen stressing that a simple Hitman reskin with Bond was “never even considered.”
He pointed out that Bond required a wider design scope than IOI had ever worked on.
As he explained, the studio couldn’t just “reskin a Hitman game and call it Bond,” so the design had to focus on building a much broader experience.
The approach favors creative expansion over confined puzzle-box challenges and emphasizes the qualities that define James Bond.
Senior licensing producer Theuns Smit added that since Project 007’s announcement in 2020, the studio has expanded quickly, welcoming developers with new ideas and specialized skills.
How Is Bond’s Game Different From Hitman?
More than an increase in output, the expansion was a chance for IOI to step into uncharted ground.
From cars to cutscenes, every part was adjusted so First Light doesn’t follow Hitman’s methodical style.
007 First Light includes IOI’s familiar touches, such as stealth, social manipulation, and interactive environments, but the studio is aiming to move well beyond its Hitman roots.
The new combat design makes weapons sharper and cinematic, allowing Bond to engage head-on.
The addition of full vehicle gameplay is something IOI had never attempted, with high-speed chases and driving sections requiring specialists.
First Light builds on stealth with dramatic cutscenes and large-scale action far removed from Hitman’s slower style.
Just as important, the story makes a clear break from IOI’s past. Instead of focusing on a detached assassin-for-hire, First Light tells the origin of a young James Bond earning his 00 status, with MGM ensuring he wouldn’t be portrayed as a mindless killer.
That change pushes IOI to frame Bond as human first, with drama and moral weight shaping his identity beyond Agent 47.
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