007 First Light: James Bond game redefines iconic British spy

However, some critics have claimed First Light is a Hitman game wearing a James Bond skin.

The developers were at pains to point out that although some elements of Hitman’s DNA can be found in First Light, they’re very different.

“To present Bond, we need to offer his entire gamut of abilities,” explains Martin Emborg, IO Interactive’s narrative director.

“You can throw down, but you can also charm your way in. There’s a whole spy work portion of gameplay.”

The developers say this marks a departure from earlier Bond games, which Emborg describes as “often more action-driven”.

And while some entries in the Bond video game canon are perhaps best forgotten, First Light has its work cut out if it’s going to rival GoldenEye 007, released on the Nintendo 64 in 1997 and still widely regarded as a high point for Bond in gaming.