While fans wait for Amazon MGM to find its new James Bond actor, they can enjoy a fantastic version of 007 in IO Interactive’s new video game. 007 First Light is a sleek, modern take on Bond that sees the agent earning his number and learning the ropes as he enters MI6. This is a younger Bond who is headstrong yet not yet at legendary status, so expect some mistakes, but it’s still undeniably one of the coolest interpretations of the character I’ve seen.
A lot of the game’s mechanics will be familiar to Hitman fans, as IO Interactive has carried over some of its signature franchise’s best aspects. From realistic settings filled with a remarkable number of civilians and objects to interact with to some great stealth gameplay that will require you to distract people with your gadgets to get past, longtime IOI fans will feel right at home during these sections. There’s also a mix of Uncharted-esque adventure, as you’ll need to navigate some wild cliffsides and do some light puzzle solving.
While getting caught as Agent 47 often led to defeat, Bond has a bit more at his disposal. 007 First Light features some stellar melee combat, which allows you to grab guarded foes and pummel them into the environment. There’s also plenty of straight-up action encounters, as there are some great shootouts and boss fights that really test your thinking and quick reflexes. This isn’t just an initiation for Bond as a secret agent; it’s also getting players prepared for what will hopefully lead to a series of stellar games.
What really makes 007 First Light special, though, is how it all comes together. While Bond can hold his own, combat is seen as a last resort, as you’re encouraged to use your gadgets and surroundings to your advantage first. There are also strict rules regarding 007’s license to kill, so you can’t just whip out your guns and start murdering baddies at every encounter. It all results in a game that feels like a full spy experience, as you’ve got to use your full arsenal of abilities rather than just your gunplay, plus live out some wild fantasies (complete with plenty of vehicle sections) thanks to some great set pieces.
The game’s story is also told wonderfully. There are also plenty of stylish choices, from its Lana Del Rey-sung theme song that arrives after a wonderful tutorial, to its incredible training montage that helps you get 007’s wide range of skills down. Throw in some memorable characters, including Lenny Kravitz’s eccentric pirate king, and you have a game that really adds to the Bond canon rather than aping it and offering a lesser experience.
While the incredible campaign is the main attraction, there are a lot of reasons why you’ll want to keep playing after the credits roll. For one, there’s a ton of great small gags and alternate ways to complete a lot of objectives, so simply experiencing it again or at a greater difficulty can be really rewarding. There’s also a tactical simulator that fully unlocks after you beat the game, which allows you to replay some of the more Hitman-style operations (the game is dying for a DLC encounter that has Bond hunting down Agent 47) and some stellar challenge missions called escalations, which have multiple tiers and their own tasks to complete.
007 First Light Review: Final Verdict
As stylish as the films themselves, 007 First Light is a brilliant depiction of Bond. As a flawed agent still coming into his own, yet still having the undeniable charm and swagger, this is the most relatable version of 007 yet. It’s also the legendary spy’s best video game adventure since the Nintendo 64, allowing you to really get the full espionage experience, using gadgets, your own problem-solving abilities, and, of course, your trusty pistol to get through some incredibly tense exchanges.
SCORE: 9.5/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 9.5 equates to “Excellent.” Entertainment that reaches this level is at the top of its type. The gold standard that every creator aims to reach.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for our 007 First Light review. Reviewed on version 1.006.000.