IO Interactive's 007 First Light aims to chart the early career of James Bond, offering a narrative-driven adventure that blends stealth, combat, and a unique bluffing mechanic. While it doesn't quite reach the heights of IO's acclaimed Hitman series, First Light compensates with considerable charm, exceptional writing, and satisfyingly brutal fistfights, marking a triumphant return for Bond to the video game space.
A Bond for a New Generation
First Light positions players as a young, unrefined Bond, just beginning his journey into espionage. This fresh take allows for a more empathetic and relatable protagonist than typically seen in the franchise. The game excels at character development, particularly with its protagonist and a strong supporting cast, including a fatherly Q and a compelling mentor figure in Greenway, portrayed by Lennie James. The narrative unfolds like a prestige television series, patiently building Bond's world and relationships, and features a script brimming with wit and personality, a notable strength for a studio not primarily known for its narrative design. This focus on character and dialogue imbues the game with a distinct charm that helps overlook some of its gameplay shortcomings.
Blending Stealth, Action, and Spycraft
The gameplay in First Light is a hybrid experience, attempting to weave together distinct modes: sneaking, brawling, shooting, and a form of "spycraft" that echoes Hitman's social stealth and investigation. The bluffing mechanic, where Bond can talk his way out of immediate danger, is a standout, encapsulating the game's charismatic approach. When cover is blown, Bond can engage in a robust brawling system reminiscent of Sleeping Dogs, featuring messy, chaotic combat with environmental interactions. Gunplay is described as adequate, often serving as a precursor to more explosive set pieces rather than a core focus. The spycraft elements, while present, feel less developed, often serving as thinly veiled opportunities to guide the player toward a predetermined objective, a departure from the true sandbox freedom of Hitman.
Familiar Yet Distinctive Design
Running on IO Interactive's in-house engine, First Light shares a visual and mechanical DNA with the Hitman series. Environments are detailed and imaginatively conceived, though they primarily serve as spaces Bond passes through rather than deep, explorable sandboxes. This linear structure means replayability is less of a focus than in Hitman's open-ended levels, though a "Tactical Simulations" challenge mode offers some additional content. While the game incorporates elements of Hitman's distraction-based stealth, the reliance on consumable gadgets for diversions, rather than cooldown timers, can feel like an arbitrary task. The game does introduce unique Bond-specific flourishes, such as a more developed melee combat system and a greater emphasis on run-and-gun shooting, but some stealth mechanics, like the inability to hide bodies, feel archaic.
A Charming, if Uneven, Experience
First Light is not without its frustrations. The controls can be cumbersome at times, particularly the "dash to cover" mechanic, and enemy AI is often passive. The spycraft sections, intended to mimic Hitman's investigation gameplay, are a pale imitation, lacking the depth and complexity that made IO's previous work so compelling. The narrative, while well-written, is stretched thin over a lengthy runtime, leading to repetitive dialogue and instances where gameplay padding is evident, such as an extended tutorial section. Despite these issues, the game's strengths—its sharp writing, engaging combat, and empathetic portrayal of a young Bond—make it a worthwhile experience. First Light successfully captures the essence of James Bond, even if it occasionally struggles to balance its various gameplay elements, ultimately delivering the best Bond game in years.
First Light offers an enjoyable, character-focused origin story for James Bond, bolstered by IO Interactive's talent for sharp writing and dynamic action, even if its sandbox elements feel diluted compared to their previous works. It's a confident, charismatic take on the iconic spy that, despite its flaws, stands as a significant achievement in licensed gaming.