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007 First Light Review Introduction James Bond is a name that many gamers haven't heard in quite some time. In fact, it's been nearly 14 years since the last major James Bond game release in 2012. For those of us who grew up during the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation era, that's hard to believe. There was a time when it felt like a new Bond game arrived almost every year. Now, IO Interactive, the studio best known for the Hitman franchise, has accepted the mission of bringing the world's most famous secret agent back to gaming. But does 007 First Light successfully capture the magic of classic Bond games, or does it fall short of its target? Let's find out. Story In 007 First Light, players step into the shoes of a young James Bond before he becomes the legendary agent known as 007. Bond begins his journey serving in the Royal Navy, but during a mission, disaster strikes when his helicopter is shot down. As the sole survivor, Bond must fight his way through hostile territory and find a path to safety. While navigating the enemy camp, Bond receives assistance from Moneypenny, who guides him through the extraction process. Following his rescue, he is recruited into MI6's newly re-established Double-0 Program, beginning his transformation from an inexperienced soldier into one of the world's most skilled spies. Training plays a significant role in the early portion of the game, introducing players to Bond's future colleagues and mentor, Greenway. The training sequences feel like something straight out of an action movie, complete with montage moments reminiscent of classic films such as Rocky. It's entertaining, well-paced, and does an excellent job of establishing Bond's growth. One of the standout training missions places Bond in a nightclub where he must identify and make contact with a target among a crowd of agents. It's here that the game truly begins to embrace the spy fantasy, allowing players to utilize gadgets, deception, and intelligence gathering. However, once Bond enters the field on his first official assignment, things quickly spiral out of control. What begins as a routine operation evolves into a much larger conspiracy, forcing Bond to uncover dangerous secrets and prove that reviving the Double-0 Program was the right decision. The story delivers plenty of twists, memorable characters, and exciting set pieces while providing a compelling origin story for one of fiction's most iconic agents. Gameplay To make things easier, I'll break gameplay into five categories: • Shooting • Navigation and Stealth • Gadgets • Close-Quarters Combat • Driving Shooting Prior to release, I had heard mixed opinions regarding the game's shooting mechanics. Some early impressions described them as merely average. After experiencing them myself, I completely disagree. Unlike action-heavy franchises such as Uncharted, Gears of War, or even some previous Bond games, 007 First Light does not rely on constant gunfights. Instead, combat encounters occur at specific moments and trigger what the game calls "License to Kill" sequences. During these encounters, Bond moves in and out of cover while engaging enemies in cinematic firefights. Environmental destruction plays a major role, allowing players to shoot explosive barrels, gas tanks, and pipelines. By activating Bond's Q Watch, players can identify environmental hazards and opportunities. Several combat abilities add depth to firefights. Bullet Time returns, slowing down time and allowing players to line up precise shots. Shooting enemies in the hands can disarm them, while leg shots cause them to stumble, creating opportunities for melee takedowns. Ammunition is intentionally limited, encouraging creativity. One of my favorite mechanics is being able to throw an empty weapon at an enemy, stunning them long enough to close the distance and finish them with a melee attack. The shooting may not be constant, but when it happens, it's exciting, satisfying, and highly cinematic. Navigation and Stealth 007 First Light is a third-person action-adventure game, meaning players will spend a significant amount of time climbing, traversing environments, and exploring mission areas. Bond's movement feels very similar to Nathan Drake from the Uncharted series, and honestly, that's not a bad thing. Movement is smooth, responsive, and enjoyable throughout the campaign. The game also provides multiple ways to approach objectives. If players prefer a more direct approach, they can use Instinct Points to bluff their way past guards by posing as authorized personnel. Instinct Points are earned through stealth actions, intelligence gathering, and eavesdropping on conversations. Alternatively, players can lure enemies away from patrol routes, perform stealth takedowns, or create distractions using objects such as radios and vacuum cleaners. The variety of options allows missions to feel flexible and rewards players for approaching situations creatively. Gadgets This is where 007 First Light truly shines. After joining the Double-0 Program, Bond is introduced to Q, who provides an impressive arsenal of spy gadgets. Players can equip up to three gadgets before each mission, allowing them to tailor their loadout to their preferred playstyle. Q Watch The Q Watch is arguably the most important gadget in the game. It allows players to hack environmental devices, identify interactive objects, and create distractions for enemies. It's an essential tool for stealth-focused players. Laser Strap One of the most useful gadgets available. The Laser Strap can cut through vents, unlock alternate pathways, and provide access to hidden collectibles. Although it consumes battery power, recharge opportunities are common enough that it rarely becomes a problem. Dart Phone The Dart Phone is perfect for non-lethal players. By firing a dart at a target, enemies become ill and temporarily leave their post. This creates a valuable opening for infiltration and stealth progression. Shockwave Camera Disguised as a large camera, this gadget emits a powerful shockwave capable of knocking enemies backward. While effective, it is loud and almost always initiates combat. Smoke Pod An excellent defensive gadget during firefights. The Smoke Pod creates a cloud of smoke that obscures enemy vision, giving Bond time to reposition or eliminate threats. Missile Pen Unlocked later in the campaign, the Missile Pen is exactly what it sounds like—a pen capable of firing a miniature missile. It's devastatingly effective during intense combat encounters. Flash Mine Ideal for crowd control. The Flash Mine blinds nearby enemies, allowing Bond to quickly eliminate or bypass multiple targets. The gadget system gives players meaningful choices and greatly enhances replayability. Whether you prefer stealth or direct action, there are tools available to support your approach. Close-Quarters Combat Without question, close-quarters combat is my favorite aspect of 007 First Light. As a former martial arts practitioner and amateur boxer, I appreciate when games put effort into hand-to-hand combat systems, and IO Interactive delivers. Combat feels grounded and tactical, emphasizing military-style close-quarters techniques. Players can punch, grapple, knee opponents in the clinch, and perform environmental takedowns. These environmental finishers are particularly satisfying and never seem to get old. Enemies can be countered using a simple but effective timing system. Standard attacks are indicated by a yellow marker, allowing Bond to block or counterattack. Unblockable attacks are highlighted in red, requiring players to dodge before launching a counteroffensive. The combat system reminded me of The Bourne Conspiracy on PlayStation 3, which is high praise considering how enjoyable that game's combat was. Most importantly, melee combat occurs frequently throughout the campaign, making it a core pillar of the gameplay experience rather than an occasional feature. Driving The driving sections are relatively limited, but they serve their purpose well. No Bond game would feel complete without high-speed chases and stylish vehicles. While I was slightly disappointed by the lack of vehicle-mounted weapons and gadgets, the driving sequences remain entertaining thanks to exciting off-road pursuits, large jumps, and memorable action set pieces. One particular sequence involving heavy industrial machinery was a standout moment. There are only a handful of driving missions throughout the campaign, but they never overstay their welcome and fit naturally within the overall pacing. Final Verdict 007 First Light is a refreshing reminder of a style of game that has become increasingly rare in today's industry. Rather than chasing trends, IO Interactive focuses on delivering a cinematic single-player experience built around espionage, stealth, action, and storytelling. There are occasional visual shortcomings. Some NPC models look dated compared to the impressive main character models, and certain environments have a slightly hazy appearance. However, these issues never significantly impact the experience. What truly stands out is how engaging the game is from beginning to end. Every mission feels substantial, often lasting between ninety minutes and two hours, and the variety of locations, gameplay mechanics, and story developments kept me invested throughout. From its excellent writing and memorable set pieces to its satisfying combat and creative gadgets, 007 First Light successfully reintroduces James Bond to the gaming world. I genuinely didn't want to stop playing, and whenever I put the controller down, I found myself eager to jump back in. IO Interactive has built a strong foundation for a new Bond franchise, and I sincerely hope this is only the beginning. Score: 10/10 007 First Light is an outstanding spy thriller that captures the spirit of James Bond while modernizing the formula for a new generation of players. Great job, IO Interactive.