Review 007: First Light, the Grand Return of James Bond

The character of James Bond is undoubtedly one of the most well-known and beloved in the history of cinematography and literature. The famous British spy has been the subject of various adaptations over the years, including in video games. These adaptations have not always convinced the audience they aimed to reach, with a few rare exceptions: consider the masterpiece that was 007 GoldenEye for Nintendo 64.

Today, however, we are facing a new chapter, a new attempt to convincingly transpose the secret agent with a license to kill into a video game. The game in question, First Light, was developed by IO Interactive, a team best known for working on the adventures of another numbered agent, namely Hitman, the famous Agent 47.

In this review, we will sum up what we believe is a work that deserves very positive considerations under some aspects and less so for others, but which can certainly be counted among the most convincing titles ever featuring James Bond.

The Origins of the Myth

The choice made by the development team, particularly by those who worked on the narrative aspect of the entire operation, is a very interesting one and likely opens the possibility for this to become a true saga. In 007: First Light, in fact, we witness the genesis of James Bond as an agent with a license to kill. We will participate in the training and then gradually follow Bond's journey and first steps within MI6.

Being a very story-driven game, we will not include any plot spoilers but will limit ourselves to expressing a judgment on the management of the narrative itself. A narrative that convinced us right from the start, thanks to well-crafted cutscenes, well-written dialogues, and very convincing "actor performances."

One element that we feel deserves recognition is the pacing. This title presents a rhythm reminiscent of the film saga that functions narratively and also creates a particular sense of immersion within the work itself.

Agent 00(4)7

007: First Light is a game that, from the gameplay perspective, does not invent anything but, thanks to a convincing setting and some choices that demonstrate the great experience of the team, manages to be enjoyable and engaging under almost all points of view. The title presents many derivative elements.

The comparison with Hitman is immediate, as well as, in many instances, IO Interactive has adopted mechanics and factors that recall titles from the Uncharted saga as well as those from the Watch Dogs saga. Starting from the platforming phases, moving through very direct and arcade-like shooting, to hacking situations.

Bond will have a vast arsenal of gadgets that, before each mission, the player must select based on what we could almost identify as a skill wheel or simply accessories. This allows for an interesting variety of action and management of the various situations we will be thrown into. The game fundamentally presents itself as a stealth adventure with investigative TPS elements, and we believe it is precisely in this precise and characterizing combination that it expresses its strength as well as some of its flaws.

Returning to the theme of pacing: if from the narrative perspective, the alternation reminiscent of cinematic productions fully convinces, it does so less so from the gameplay perspective. The latter sometimes appears almost "unbalanced" in terms of timing. The risk during the experience of about 20 hours of campaign is to "suffer" from the massive presence of investigative, preparatory, and slower phases compared to action situations.

However, this risk can arise precisely from the team's ability to make the action phases very satisfying and interesting, thanks to the aforementioned variety of possible approaches, a combat system that succeeds in melee and close combat to be very rewarding and just technical enough, and thanks to excellent level design that, at times, stumbles due to some invisible walls. It does happen to find potential grips or walls to climb over that the game does not allow you to exploit.

Style to Sell

From a technical and especially visual perspective, 007: First Light is a title that has a lot of style. We are probably not talking about a game that will be remembered for creating a graphic watershed (which, however, is of excellent quality), but a title that manages to express a very impactful visual personality.

Starting from the character models, all well crafted, with excellent facial animations especially appreciated during the cutscenes, through the setting with attention to both external and internal environments. Additionally, credit is due for some purely visual choices that probably benefit from collaborations with important fashion brands.

Bond, like the other characters, is well characterized and this is also due to the clothes they wear and the accessories they carry. This makes the entire work very distinctive. In purely technical terms, the title offers two graphics modes: the classic performance and quality modes, with which it is possible to achieve a higher frame rate or a higher resolution, and in both cases, the game performs excellently.

The sound also fits into the previous positive "stylistic" consideration of this work: the soundtrack reprises the classic theme of the saga, accompanied by pieces and melodies that perfectly adapt to the gameplay phases. Unfortunately, there is no Italian dubbing, even though the original language performances are commendable.

Let's Sum It Up

As we come to the end of this review of 007: First Light, we can sum up this title. If you are looking for a video game, in its purest, rawest sense, purchasing 007: First Light will not disappoint you.

Despite some flaws, most notably the not always excellent management of action possibilities within the maps, this is a solid game from a technical standpoint, stylistically stimulating, and fulfilling from a gameplay perspective that benefits from a lot of variety, good enemy AI management, and a narrative that captures the rhythm and quality of the film works of the saga.

For us, it is a promoted game and deserves a rating that is decidedly more than sufficient, even if it does not reach the excellence that, in view of a potential second chapter, could be approached by refining some details. The game will be available starting tomorrow, May 27, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a version for Nintendo Switch 2 expected by the end of summer.

PROS

• Technically solid and with style to sell
• Excellent variety of approaches to stealth phases
• Rewarding close combat
• Engaging and cinematic narrative
• Iconic soundtrack

CONS

• Some uncertainty in level design and some too many invisible walls
• The timing risk between preparation/investigation phases and action can be unbalanced
• Lack of Italian dubbing