The new action-adventure spy game from IO Interactive, 007 First Light, proves to be a perfect match for the studio’s expertise. Known for creating immersive, player-driven sandboxes in the Hitman series, IO brings that same level of freedom and creativity to the world of James Bond, allowing players to approach missions through multiple viable paths. The result is a thrilling spy experience that feels both authentic and fresh. As a Bond fan, it’s easy to appreciate the care that went into crafting an origin story that stands alongside some of the franchise’s best narratives. With compelling character development, pulse-pounding action, and cinematic set pieces, 007 First Light delivers an exciting adventure that keeps you invested from beginning to end.
007 First Light introduces players to a younger James Bond at the very beginning of his journey. After a military operation goes disastrously awry, Bond tasks himself to save civilians and protect sensitive intelligence from falling into enemy hands. His actions ultimately earn him a place in MI6’s newly revived 00 program, where he begins the rigorous training that will shape him into the legendary spy fans know today. The game features one of the most creative training sequences in recent memory, using a fast-paced montage that blends cinematic storytelling with interactive gameplay. How’s that South Park clip go, “when you need to put yourself to the test, and show us a passage of time, show a lot of things happenin’ at once.” and the training tutorial shows just that. You play a few scenes with dialogue and then it cuts to a few where you have a small section to clear. But after a couple times of doing just that, you’re literally playing quick snippets of sections you have already done.It starts with some standard video game tutorialing but quickly transitions into quick scenes. You’ll transition between a few target practice shot, quickly cutting to driving exercises, to jumping into a stealth challenge, and other training scenarios, with each brief, player-controlled segment reinforcing Bond’s growth while naturally introducing new mechanics. The result is an inventive tutorial that effectively conveys the passage of months without slowing the game’s momentum. Once his training is complete, Bond is thrust into a globe-trotting mission to uncover a dangerous conspiracy linked to a former MI6 operative, setting the stage for a thrilling espionage adventure.
As an origin story, IO presents a fresh interpretation of James Bond that still feels faithful to the character’s legacy. This younger Bond carries traces of several iconic portrayals. He speaks a little like Connery, has a bit of suaveness of Brosnon, and gets a little quippy like Moore, while still establishing an identity that feels modern and distinct; it’s a great take on the character. The supporting cast of fellow 00 recruits adds personality to the story, though their narrative purpose becomes fairly apparent early on. Fans familiar with Bond’s tendency to operate alone will likely recognize where certain character arcs are headed, making a few story beats predictable. Even so, these relationships provide meaningful motivation for Bond’s growth and fit naturally within the larger narrative. One standout performance comes from Greenway, the hardened veteran responsible for pushing Bond through his training. Voiced by actor Lennie James, the character carries a commanding presence that fans of the Destiny series may instantly recognize, as James also voices the fan favorite Lord Shaxx. It’s difficult not to hear that iconic role, but James delivers a wonderful performance that perfectly suits Greenway’s tough-but-respected mentor persona.
007 First Light successfully adapts IO Interactive’s signature sandbox design to the world of James Bond, offering players multiple ways to approach each mission. Eavesdropping on conversations can reveal valuable clues and alternative routes, while sneaking through balconies, vents, and other hidden paths rewards you for careful exploration. Finding key items can also unlock previously inaccessible areas, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies. Although the missions aren’t quite as open-ended as those in the Hitman series, they strike an excellent balance between player freedom and cinematic storytelling. Rather than relying on disguises as Hitman does, Bond uses his greatest assets, his charm, his confidence, and his ability to bluff his way through tense situations. These social interactions feel far more fitting for the character and reinforce the fantasy of being the world’s best spy and as fun as it would have been to have Bond dress up in silly outfits, I don’t think it fits the vibe. Of course, diplomacy isn’t always an option, and when that fails, the game gives players every opportunity to fight their way out in spectacular fashion.
When stealth gives way to action, 007 First Light delivers satisfying, hard hitting combat that marks a noticeable improvement over IO’s Hitman series. Melee encounters feel impactful, with every punch carrying weight. Heck, slamming an enemy into a nearby wall never loses its appeal. Bond’s arsenal of close quarters abilities includes punching, dodging, blocking, parrying, and grabbing opponents, while clear visual cues signal whether an incoming attack should be blocked or avoided. Mistime or mispress your response, however, and Bond can be punished quickly, making encounters feel tense and rewarding. The system begins to show its weaknesses when multiple enemies enter the fight, as the lack of a lock-on mechanic can make targeting difficult and leave players easily overwhelmed. Because Bond isn’t particularly durable, these situations can lead to some frustrating death early on, although mastering the combat’s rhythm makes encounters far more manageable over time. Regardless, this game is just begging for a lock-on mechanic. One of the combat system’s standout features, and my favorite, captures the spirit of the films; Bond can seamlessly grab nearby objects and use them as improvised weapons by throwing them to stun enemies. These dynamic interactions create the kind of chaotic, close-quarters brawls that feel straight from a classic James Bond action sequence.
It wouldn’t be James Bond if you didn’t have access to the gadgets, and Bond utilizes an array of tools to distract and subdue opponents at a distance. It’s not the same level of gadgetry as in Agent 47’s arsenal in Hitman, but they do focus on some key ones. Q watch darts make a person sick, a small concussive explosive knocks out enemies, a lighter that will double as a smoke grenade, and a camera with a flashbang flash; you’re given some choice, but Bond can only hold four gadgets on his person. This means replaying levels with a different loadout can significantly change your available options and routes. You can even hack tech from a distance with your watch, causing a distraction and giving your Bond more opportunities.
The gunplay here is strong too, on the recommended difficulty setting, there is a slight auto-aim to assist in getting those headshots. Each time I was able to nail one without slowing down time, I felt like Bond. A lot of the flow of gun combat is reliant on guns running out of ammo, quickly whipping the equipped empty gun at an enemy before rushing to the next weapon or stealing theirs. You can hold a sidearm and a larger weapon, but that’s all you’re given. You can play using just one weapon but that isn’t Bond now is it. I personally like to play stealthily and knock out my opponents silently, but the gunplay makes it very tempting to just shoot everyone to clear out the room quickly.
Beyond its main campaign, 007 First Light offers an additional mode called Tactical Simulation, or TacSim, which provides a compelling reason to keep playing after the credits roll. The entire campaign can be played offline, but does state it’s better connected to the server. I’m not quite sure what the online connection is for while in singleplayer, but in TacSim it’s needed for unlocking challenges and leaderboards. The mode borrows heavily from the challenge driven design of the Hitman series, presenting players with replays of missions that ask you to complete challenges with unique objectives and gameplay modifiers. Some challenges limit your available resources, while others reward completing encounters using specific takedowns, disarms, or combat techniques. Combined with its own progression loop, TacSim offers a satisfying layer of replayability that encourages players to master each mission in new and creative ways.
IO Interactive has proven that it is an exceptional fit for the James Bond franchise. The studio’s expertise in crafting player driven spy experiences shines throughout the game, making it all the more disappointing that the future of this particular interpretation of Bond remains uncertain. According to comments made by Amazon Games executive Jeff Gattis in an interview with Polygon, IO Interactive does not hold the full rights to this version of James Bond, with any potential sequels expected to fall under MGM and Amazon Game Studios. Whether IO will have the opportunity to continue this story remains unclear, and that would be heartbreaking given the strong foundation they’ve established. As it stands, 007 First Light is an outstanding action-adventure, combining a creative origin story with satisfying gunplay, refined melee combat, and sandbox inspired levels that reward creativity and exploration. Even after the credits roll, the TacSim mode provides plenty of incentive to return, making this a game that’s just as enjoyable on a second or third playthrough as it is the first. Few games leave me eager to jump back in the moment I complete the story, but 007 First Light does exactly that. When I’m not playing 007 First Light, all I’m thinking about is playing 007 First Light. It’s the kind of experience that practically begs to be completed 100%, and one I’ll happily play all the way to that Platinum trophy.
