IO Interactive has released a free update for its James Bond title, 007 First Light, titled Extended Operations. This update introduces several highly requested features, including New Game Plus, a photo mode, and a new higher difficulty setting.
The Extended Operations update also brings additional TacSim mission challenges and several gameplay adjustments. Weapon handling has been refined for improved precision, and enemies can now perform ledge takedowns, a move previously exclusive to the player.
To access New Game Plus, players must complete the campaign on any difficulty. Upon unlocking, the game's new "00" difficulty mode becomes available, described as considerably more challenging. This mode intensifies combat, stealth, and social encounters with faster enemy reactions to disturbances, tougher enemy variants, restricted gadget use within enemy sightlines, less forgiving combat, two-hit kills, tighter parry and side-step timing, and reduced agency during fights.
New TacSim missions include a time trial challenge in the Aston Martin Valhalla across the Slovakian mountains, with varying times of day and the option to mount rocket launchers. Another TacSim mission returns players to the Pearl resort in Vietnam, tasking them with retrieving classified documents from a safe and then escaping to a rooftop. This mission utilizes the entire villa, featuring a redesigned interior to offer more stealth opportunities.
The photo mode allows players to pause gameplay at any time to capture screenshots. It offers extensive customization options, including altering character poses, lighting, lens adjustments, and processing filters.
"This DLC is brought to you as a thank you to all the players who've been with us since the game's release," said game director Dominic Vega in a trailer for the update. "So start the game and go earn the number."
007 First Light, released in May, was met with critical acclaim. Rick Lane's review for Eurogamer described it as less cerebral and replayable than IO Interactive's World of Assassination trilogy but praised its excellent fistfights and charm. The game has since achieved over 4 million sales in three months, fueling speculation about a potential sequel. This success comes despite IO Interactive facing a setback when Xbox withdrew from a publishing deal for its online role-playing game, Project Fantasy.