007: First Light Review (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, & PC)

At first, an original take on James Bond sounded like it could very easily go downhill. Yet, in the capable hands of IO Interactive, I felt strongly optimistic that they just might be the privileged folks to usher us into a new age of receiving the License to Kill. 

With Hitman’s success under IO Interactive’s belt, it felt like a logical next step to devise a new espionage spy thriller. One that builds on the tension of sneaking around enemy territory and advancing invisibly across their borders. 

James Bond is the perfect muse, then, to carry forward the Hitman mantle. He moves gracefully between infiltrating enemy camps, disguising himself at luxury dinners, and making the perfect getaway in a garbage truck. All thriving on the careful deliberation of the next step to take (rather than instinctively pulling out his gun). 

It’s a sensitive tactical approach that few other studios have managed to accomplish. Yet, after spending hours reviewing 007: First Light, I became more convinced that it has, indeed, successfully joined the prestigious ranks of the most accomplished stealth-based thrillers around.

Wrong Place, Right Time

While flying over enemy territory, a dashing 26-year-old James Bond is shot down, crash-landing on a remote island off the coast of Iceland. Despite orders to retreat, young James Bond presses on. It’s merely a bump in the road for the action hero, determined to see his mission through. 

Even with the odds stacked against him, he displays a recklessness that earns him a place in the newly restored MI6 “00” program. He has the confidence and the resourcefulness to serve. Any brash attitude, a recklessness of a young age, can be tamed. 

And so, IO Interactive begins its story. An original take on the famed James Bond, starring in Ian Fleming’s novels and later film adaptations. Games have adapted James Bond’s universe, too, most notably 1997’s GoldenEye 007 FPS.

But nothing quite as cinematic and immersive in the modern day. Hence, a staggering high anticipation for IO Interactive pulling it off. And they sure did. 

Within the first few hours of 007: First Light, it’s adamant that you’re starring in a riveting espionage spy thriller. You’re your own man, weaving between slower-paced stealth sections and explosive cinematic action. 

Like a chameleon, James Bond adapts to the situation at hand. His toolsets are immense, from the physical combat to the cunning and wit. He can maneuver any dire situation, with foe or fiend. And it’s truly an experience to behold.

The Name’s Bond, James Bond

Patrick Morgan, who plays Dexter in Dexter: Original Sin, voices James Bond. And he does a most fantastic job bringing his charm and cockiness to life. The acting is superb, aided by slick visuals and facial animations. 

You believe what he says, even if it’s a load of crap. Or at least you can see a world where enemies are fooled by his cadence. Similarly, supporting characters and NPCs do a stellar job of bringing the world to life. 

Greenway, a former 00 agent, mentors you during the start of your 007 career. And the dynamic between you two is authentic. He warns you before jumping off the ledge. And even with the initial friction in your conversations over the radio, you eventually find a way toward mutual respect and understanding.

Bringing it all full circle is the musical score. Lana Del Rey sings an exceptional First Light orchestral theme song. It’s perfectly fitting of James Bond’s tone and atmosphere, along with the accompanying modern synths and orchestra. 

Audio-visual aspects of a game play a key role in immersion, which 007: First Light has no problem fulfilling. Through the cinematic cutscenes and the explosive action, you’re transported to the moment in the most beautiful and visually striking ways. 

Never a Dull Moment

It takes a lot of growth and missteps to become the hero James Bond is. And it’s meticulously crafted in the prologue, building up to the key missions that define your place in the 00 program. You defy orders against your better judgment, but the risks you take pay off.

There’s a lot to learn from James Bond’s rise to the top, professionally, and growing as a person. Yet, still being human, indulging in steamy flirtations. To deliver it all home, IO Interactive delivers a mission-based campaign full of variety and purpose. 

You explore the linearly structured playthrough in third-person, moving from tech galas to research sites and the MI6 headquarters. Every locale has its story to tell through unique environments and distinct mission objectives.

And while at the start, the pacing is a bit slow, serving as a tutorial for James Bond’s versatile toolsets, the story soon picks up pace. New twists unfurl, creating new story paths to follow. And even though you don’t influence the story directly, its unraveling still feels unexpected. 

007: First Light’s world is, indeed, a marvel. Its cinematic flair is impressive, immersing you through impeccable detail and lighting. The variety of environments and missions keeps the momentum going, even when you eventually unlock all of your combat and traversal abilities.

A Man of Many Talents

It’s implied that your best chance of surviving enemy encounters is stealth. And before you get your scanner, you can’t always anticipate where they might pop up. So it becomes second nature to sneak around enemy territory. 

You crouch through tall grass and perform stealth takedowns, picking enemies one by one. Stashing bodies away is lamentably missing, as is enemy intelligence. Unless you’re in plain sight, enemies will be clueless about you; never mind your killing them off one by one.

Still, 007: First Light’s stealth mechanics borrow from the best parts of Hitman. It goes beyond merely crouching and sneaking around to incorporate the environment in your next tactical move. You might sneak through an open window or eavesdrop on the passcode to a locked door. 

You’re conscious of your actions and surroundings, finding clever ways to maneuver through groups of mercenaries. When you begin unlocking gadgets, your skills expand. You might use blind enemies using your laser, shoot a mini-missile out of a pen, hack radios as distractions, or stun an enemy with a poisonous dart.

These silent maneuvers through packed markets and enemy camps are the special moments in 007: First Light that make you feel like an actual spy. When you’re constantly aware of your environment, scanning rooms for alarms and collectibles.

Call Your Bluff

But your abilities continue to diversify more than that. You’ll soon earn an in-game resource that fills up your Lure and Bluff mechanics. The former lures enemies for the killing. However, bluff enables you to talk out of any situation long enough for Greenway to get a pin on a target.

It’s thrilling how much the environment is incorporated into gameplay. When gas pipes can create distractions, or when you can disable cameras. Some outfits you’ll find can be worn as disguises. And even though you can’t stash away bodies, there are ways to lure enemies to hidden spots that remedy that.

Last Resort

When enemies outnumber you, it might be time to trigger License to Kill. Or the mission type might trigger it for you. Either way, it’s another of 007: First Light’s fantastic ways to enjoy the moment. Punching, parrying, and dodging are all mixed into melee fights.

However, you can pull out your gun, too, and blast away. It can get pretty chaotic, with grenades going off and leaving clouds of smoke in your wake. Plus, a bit frenetic when you experiment with tactical ways to disarm enemies. You can shoot guns off of them, kick barrels at them, and even smash them against the environment. 

Again, the environment comes in as a great ally, with littered objects on stand-by to be used as blunt weapons. Or ledges and glass to put foes out of their misery. When it’s time to make the getaway, lots of Q-branch vehicles await, from the classics to fast cars and utility trucks. 

Overall, 007: First Light is flexible in its gameplay, allowing you to approach mission objectives however you like best. And that can be an incentive for high replayability, experimenting with all of the diverse pathways toward a common goal.

Verdict

I can definitely see how IO Interactive builds 007: First Light into a long-running franchise. They’ve already nailed the basics for a thrilling action-adventure. And most importantly, paying respect to the lore and nuances of the James Bond franchise.

It feels pretty damn good to be a spy, even when you’re a rookie with big shoes to fill. The mechanics let you be your own man, devising clever non-lethal ways to get out of tough spots. And when push comes to shove, entrusting you with powerful guns and gadgets to explode enemies to oblivion. 

It’s all a perfect balance of action and cinematic flair, when advancing through 007: First Light’s tantalizing spy thriller, that I practically have no notes to give.