007 First Light's Bond is more "relatable" than Hitman's Agent 47, says developer: "Rather than an object of absurd fascination, he's an object of emotional relation"

When IO Interactive first revealed 007 First Light in 2020 (then as an untitled project), it seemed an instant match-made-in heaven for the Hitman development studio, and a dream come true for fans. After 3 hours playing 007 First Light myself, it fits the bill. Sure, Hitman's Agent 47 is a silent assassin of elite ne'er-do-wells, while James Bond is an MI6 spy in service of his government – in many ways, they couldn't be more opposite. But it's clear that the developer is bringing lessons from Hitman to Bond's baccarat table, all while using those strengths as a springboard to evolve the studio's specialities, as well.

"I think what we've done in the past shares a lot with Bond in general, in terms of premise and the larger world at play," says Poulsen. "However, what we've done before has had that dichotomy between the cool and then the absurdity of the actual game experience." Hitman might be a game about killing horrible people, but the many ironic accidental deaths, dark jokes, and ridiculous wardrobe of disguises for Agent 47 is extremely funny in an often deadpan way.

World of espionage

"Here, Bond himself is a charming, quippy, observant, funny guy who you go on this adventure with," says Poulsen. "I think the fact that the human side is in the game rather than outside the game, in many respects, that's a big differentiator." There are direct jokes and "funny observations" in 007 First Light that will "make you laugh as a player", he says, as well as "charming and funny" interactions with Bond's support cast. Just like the Bond movies, there will be serious moments, but IO Interactive aims to have a similar sense of levity for moments of relief infused directly into how the game plays out.

007 First Light's opening mission, following Bond as a Navy Crewman in-training who has to go behind enemy lines during a terrorist attack on a secret MI6 research facility when the rest of his crew are killed, is a bleak, gripping introduction. The action takes place at night, with a billowing storm whipping sheets of rain into a clearly freezing Bond who has barely managed to drag himself out of the sea.

"He is not a commander. We are ranking him down," says Poulsen. Cinematically regaining consciousness below the raging sea, it's like Bond has been given a second chance at life in this moment. But, he's still someone who feels vulnerable. Towards the end, in a struggle with a guard, he turns the enemy's gun and takes a life for what seems to be the first time. There's weight to this moment, the game taking time even as action escalates to stay close to Bond – performed brilliantly by actor Patrick Gibson.

"That's a totally fair assessment," says Poulsen when I ask about dropping the jokes to approach moments of violence like that first kill in a serious way. "Because, otherwise, it would be difficult to relate to him as a character throughout the story. That's one of the main purposes we have here, to craft a Bond that feels more relatable to you as a player. Rather than an object of absurd fascination, he's an object of emotional relation."

Poulsen calls the Iceland mission "stark", "dramatic", and "iconically grim" – it's "the most brutal and hardcore point", but Bond rises to the challenge despite being injured and having no gear. Importantly, he's "taken the odds", notes Poulsen. MI6 requests his help over radio, but he's not even agreed to the Official Secrets Act at this point, and will still go against orders. Learning the terrorists have taken hostages, he's ordered to retreat regardless – but he refuses to give up on them.

"[These moments] really cement the key tenets of his character," says Poulsen. "If you zoom out, it was important that [Iceland] felt distinctly unromantic – dramatic certainly – but distinctly unromantic to stand in contrast to many other aspects and locations of the rest of the game, where we certainly skirt the romantic sort of timelessness and places where you really want to go versus places you don't want to go."

The Iceland introduction is miserable, but also beautiful. The choice to open in the middle of a nasty storm really gives IO Interactive a chance to show off how far its technical artistry has come since the similarly-gorgeous Hitman 3. 007 First Light is built in Glacier 2, the studio's proprietary engine.

"We have certainly had to develop a whole lot of tech for this. In particular, animation systems for facial capture and all that, lots of render features, and lots of effects stuff as well," says Poulsen. "I'm happy that [Iceland] worked for you, that you feel like you were there. You know, it's the opposite of the First Light – can I please have some light? [The storm] is whipping you all over, it's a visceral experience, to be as unromantic as possible. Lots of development has been happening with our internal tech to bring this game to you for sure."

I'm transported from Iceland to a sunny, blue skies Malta to dip into another 007 First Light mission, during Bond's MI6 training as he has to work stealthily through ruins to capture a flag as fellow agents pretend to be guards and the environment is set-dressed. It's reminiscent of Hitman: World of Assassination's opening training missions, but has a unique tone.

"Hitman has been inspired by a lot of Bond flavors throughout the years, because Bond is the premier spy in media. Not that Hitman is a spy, per se, but there's certainly a lot of aesthetic overlap in terms of that elevated world that feels like it's just out of reach for us normal people," says Poulsen.

Bond's training in Malta exemplifies the sense that it's "a heightened and romanticized version of the real world", where you have "the option to train in ruins that also have a modern layer to it". As Bond works through the literal set-piece, gantries with observers can be seen, and your agent-in-training pals offer commentary on your playstyle choices.

"It's an interesting mix of what has been in the past, and coming out of the Commonwealth Malta – we toy with the idea that one department stayed back, remained, right? [It gets us] out of the normal world of London and Great Britain as a whole, and into something that feels a little bit more adventurous yet really old at the same time," says Poulsen. "It's a wonderful opportunity for us to set you in this world that has roots deep into the past and these technical flavors pointing forwards as well."

While there's plenty of reasons IO Interactive feels like the perfect fit for a new James Bond gaming adventure thanks to its work on Hitman, there's just as much that makes 007 First Light stand apart from Agent 47's darker sandboxes. The cinematic tone keeps the action moving, your varied tools must be deployed like a proper agent, and Bond himself brings unique character.

Merging young and old, and giving us a fresh view into the super spy, is Patrick Gibson – the Dexter: Original Sin and Shadow and Bone star taking up the mantle as 007 First Light's James Bond.

"Patrick is doing an amazing job in capturing this forward momentum, Man of Action who's really resolute, but in a more innocent way than the grimier, older, more seasoned and maybe even worn down Bond," says Poulsen. "He has this wonderful youthful energy to him, but cool nonetheless, and he really brings that to the role."

He's bold, brash, but a Bond that always seems to have his heart in the right place. I just hope that light can persist through his journey to becoming 007 proper, but I'm definitely going to be along for the ride when 007 First Light launches on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on 27 May – with Nintendo Switch 2 to follow.

Want to catch up with 007? Check out our best Bond movies ranking for what to watch next!