007 First Light Review (PS5) – It’s been five years since IO interactive released the excellent Hitman 3, and they’re back with a bang, with their new title and first foray into the James Bond universe, 007 First Light. I distinctly recall playing the most recent Hitman trilogy and thinking; “These guys could make a Bond game”. Lo and behold, they got their chance.
From a very young age I have been a fan of the franchise, having seen all of the films and watched some multiple times over. As a blonde kid who got unreasonably upset that I would not be able to be Bond based on hair colour alone, I was keenly anticipating the release of 007 First Light, getting to once again play as one of my all time favorite heroes, while also expecting to be perhaps its harshest critic.
007 First Light Review (PS5) – Everything Bond Should Be
One Golden Shot
Based on Hitman: World Of Assassination, I don’t think there was a studio more suited to a Bond game, than IO Interactive, and that was keenly felt the entire time I spent with 007 First Light. Hitman veterans will certainly feel right at home here, as that shared DNA is very apparent.
007 First Light, however, does feature an often linear structure, with a more traditional stealth approach to its gameplay that I have sorely missed and fans of the stealth genre will find so much joy in the latest Bond title.
During the linear sequences you will be skulking around the world, using the environment, your gadgets, weaponry, and even your charm to navigate the enemy-laden areas. All of these mechanics come together perfectly, to create the ultimate Bond experience.
Poison darts from your phone to move a guard from their post, a laser on your Omega watch to break a lock, the missile pen to bring a wall down, and so much more is readily available. Q really outdid himself on this occasion.
With third person shooting mechanics, melee combat, and stealth functionality, there is a variety of ways to tackle the levels throughout the 15-20 hour-long campaign. Tying these mechanics together often creates incredibly stylish sequences. It felt very cool rushing a guard off of a balcony, using them to break my fall, immediately vaulting cover to disarm another, while catching their weapon, to use against them.
If you find yourself caught in a bind, in true Bond fashion, you can just charm yourself out of a situation. Granted it has limited uses which can be earned back through standard combat, so don’t get too reliant on that. Not that you ever will, with so much at your disposal.
Nonchalantly passing through areas, navigating mercenaries with your arsenal of gadgets, feigning surrender or bluffing your way past guards feels so good to perform, and it is just so very Bond from top to bottom. It is an absolute blast of an experience.
Other than its main campaign, there is another mode named TacSim, which lets you approach certain locations from the game in new ways, leveling up each encounter in a similar capacity to that of the Escalation Mode in IO’s Hitman, with similar challenges to complete on top of that.
Say Live And Let Die
Beyond its more linear sections, there are portions of the game that are quite open, that let you freely explore each area. Similar to Hitman again, there will be opportunities that present themselves, but instead of opening up avenues towards an assassination target, it’s more focused towards specific objectives, like acquiring money to attend an auction, and other such spy work.
There’s often multiple ways to meet these goals offering some replay value, in the same way you can approach many combat situations in a different manner each time, perhaps with not so much lethality for example. I really enjoyed trying to make my way through as many levels as possible without being spotted, like a ghost in the machine.
The levels themselves are all so well designed, which is definitely one of IO Interactive’s strong suits. They not only thematically capture the Bond motif of globe trotting, elaborate villainous hideouts, and high society events, but they are so very satisfying to navigate as the character in the way he would actually do so, with nonchalance and swagger. My only complaint would be perhaps a few too many explosive barrels that are conveniently knocking about, but they are fun.
On other occasions, there are some quite bombastic set pieces that could be likened to those that we experienced in the Uncharted series. Some might argue that they go too big in those moments, but I disagree. Bond has always been known for his near superhuman feats.
Whether that be driving a car on two wheels through a small gap, skydiving into a nosediving plane only to recover it, or an intergalactic gunfight aboard a space station, the Bond franchise has never shied away from the over-the-top action.
It skates the line well, offering a little bit of each era (to varying degrees). There’s the charm of Connery, the humour of Moore in the Q labs, the action set pieces of Brosnan, and some of the more modern yet grounded elements that we saw in the Craig era. Through every facet of this game, it is keenly felt that its creators understand and love the franchise as much as its fans. It is everything a Bond game should be.
The Midas Touch
007 First Light, as the name might suggest is an origin story, where you’re tasked with earning the number, and as such features a more green James Bond, who’s thrust into action. its story primarily focuses around rogue operatives and the use of AI in spy work and intelligence agencies, tackling a very current subject. For veterans of the franchise, there are so many references and easter eggs to be on the look out for.
Its story is full of twists and turns, appropriately overindulgent villainous diatribes, beautiful locations, and traps that he can surely never escape. It’s really got it all in that sense, and it’s always upping the stakes and keeping its hooks in you. Barring too many close calls, I really enjoyed this summer blockbuster of a video game.
First Light’s campaign is bolstered by its excellent cast. First off, Patrick Gibson puts in a superb turn as Bond. His delivery of witty one liners and flirtatious banter is absolutely spot on, and there’s some moments that really capture his immaturity. If it’s a young Bond that the films are looking for, then look no further.
The supporting cast are equally up to the task, but I really enjoyed Kiera Lester‘s Moneypenny, who actually become one of my favourite Moneypenny’s from the franchise as a whole. However, if I had to put a spotlight on someone, it would be Lennie James as John Greenway. A curmudgeonly old spy, tasked with mentoring Bond and other potential 00’s, Lennie really felt like the heart of this game, whose virtuosity and presence is always apparent.
IO Interactive made excellent use of the soundtrack, tying it into gameplay events, reacting to what you do, much like how the films are on beat with the action. IO utilize the famous Bond theme brilliantly throughout and Lana Del Rey lends her voice to a very fitting theme song. However, the audiomix itself felt a little off, where the OST was drowned out by onscreen action, although it’s not too much of an issue.
Every aspect of this game really comes together and works in harmony to make the player feel like Bond and as a longterm fan of 007, I have to say; this is the Bond game I have always wanted.
From excellent, satisfying gameplay, memorable villains, dramatic close calls, to Bond girls, elaborate gadgets, weaponized Aston Martins, dapper suits, to an endearing supporting cast, and a thoroughly charming Bond himself, First Light has it all.
Review Code Kindly Provided By Publisher.
007 First Light is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.