I Played Over 3 Hours of 007 First Light, IOI’s New James Bond Game

For almost ten years, IO Interactive has been famous for creating the Hitman games. But next month, they’re launching a new project. 007 First Light is their unique take on the James Bond story, offering a fresh beginning that combines their expertise in stealth gameplay with the excitement of a large-scale, story-focused movie experience.

Before its May 27th release, TopMob got an early look at a significant portion of 007 First Light to see what IO Interactive has been working on. While the game still shares some similarities with Hitman, it offers a lot of new and diverse gameplay mechanics. Most impressively, 007 First Light truly captures the essence of James Bond in a way only a video game can.

How Does 007 First Light Play?

I got to play a three-hour preview of 007 First Light, split into three parts. I started with the very first chapter, which leads into the game’s opening title sequence. Next, I tried a training section that taught me the basics of stealth, fighting, and using Bond’s gadgets. The biggest part of the demo was a complete level that mixed everything together – planning, sneaking, close combat, some shooting, and a thrilling car chase at the end. It gave me a really good idea of what to expect from the game, and I was impressed by how varied and responsive the gameplay felt.

The gameplay in 007 First Light stays true to James Bond’s identity as a spy. While Bond is known for eliminating threats, the game emphasizes using stealth and close combat whenever possible. It’s actually quite challenging to start using firearms freely, so most of the shooting happens during specific, scripted moments.

James Bond Uses Stealth to His Advantage

In First Light, Bond is skilled at both fast-paced action and stealth. When he’s not engaging in gunfights, he focuses on moving through areas without being detected. He has access to some useful gadgets, like the Q Watch and a dart phone, which allow players to create diversions, eliminate enemies quietly, or combine both approaches. While I wasn’t able to choose my own gadgets during the preview, it was clear that 007 First Light offers a lot of room for experimentation, and fans of Hitman will likely enjoy that.

The preview began with a playthrough of the first level of 007 First Light. The sequence focused on Bond’s struggle for survival, emphasizing stealth gameplay. It showcased the game’s movement – featuring climbing mechanics similar to a streamlined Uncharted – and how players will need to cleverly distract guards to complete objectives.

Even in the early parts of the game, there was a good amount of flexibility in how you approached challenges. While there felt like a preferred path, it didn’t feel forced or predetermined. This sense of open-endedness becomes even more pronounced as you progress, but I could already see the beginnings of it in the first chapter.

Combat in 007 First Light is a Mix of Melee and Gunplay

The preview then showed a training sequence featuring James Bond becoming an MI6 agent. It was a typical military exercise: infiltrate a base, avoid or eliminate guards, and capture a flag. Players could choose a stealthy approach, distracting guards, or a more aggressive one, battling their way to the objective. This was just a short glimpse of the gameplay in 007 First Light, but it demonstrated the core mechanics of both hand-to-hand combat and shooting.

Close-quarters combat in 007 First Light works like most dodge-and-parry systems. When enemies attack, they’ll glow either yellow or red. A yellow glow means you can dodge, block, or attack to stop them, but a red glow requires a dodge. Sometimes enemies will block, and you’ll need to grab them to open them up for another attack.

The hand-to-hand combat in First Light is impactful and feels great – every hit has weight. You can see damage to the surroundings when enemies collide with objects, and you can even use loose items like coffee cups or bricks as weapons. It truly feels like a rough, desperate fight where James Bond will do whatever it takes to win. However, enemies can easily overpower Bond if you’re not precise and careful, so staying alert is crucial. Plus, triggering an alarm and attracting a room full of guards is a risky move.

The game lets you use gadgets strategically during fights. For example, you could hack a vent to create a smokescreen, giving Bond an edge, or briefly stun an enemy with a dart from your phone, opening them up for a powerful finishing move. While it doesn’t quite reach the level of combat seen in games like Batman Arkham, there are similar elements, and you’re not limited to just punches and kicks to win.

Bond’s License to Kill is a Last Resort

Players use whatever weapons they can find – pistols, machine guns, and shotguns – in a cover-based shooting system. Accurate aiming quickly defeats enemies, though some with helmets or armor need a few extra shots. Unlike in Hitman, where shooting was a last option, First Light fully integrates gunplay into the combat, making it just as rewarding as hand-to-hand fighting.

One of the coolest things for me was how seamlessly Bond could disarm enemies and instantly start using their gun. And when I ran out of ammo, I could even throw an empty gun to stun a guard – super useful! Knowing IO Interactive made the Hitman games, I expected the stealth to be great, but they really nailed the hand-to-hand combat and gunfights too. Everything feels really good to pull off, and there are tons of different ways to approach each situation.

Letting the Super Spy Loose on a Level

The third preview section was the longest, showcasing an entire chapter set in Kensington. After a brief introduction and an exciting chase, James Bond attempts to infiltrate a gala, similar to how Agent 47 would approach a target. Players have multiple options for reaching a secure second floor – they can pretend to be a photographer, steal a keycard from an unsuspecting guard, or find another way – and it’s up to them to decide how to overcome the challenges.

Okay, so the Q Watch and the dart phone are super useful in 007 First Light, but they’re not unlimited. The watch runs on battery power – you find more by grabbing electronics around the levels – and the dart phone needs chemicals. Using things like the watch’s laser or hacking something drains those resources, so you really have to think about how you approach each area. I think it’s a cool way to keep Bond from being too powerful, but thankfully there’s usually enough stuff lying around to let you try different things and not worry too much about running out.

The Kensington section of the game was impressively substantial, showcasing pretty much everything First Light has to offer. I appreciated having the flexibility to approach goals in my own way, though stealth was often the smarter option. Still, if you’re good at close-quarters combat, you can recover from errors or even charge in and fight.

007 First Light offers amazing set pieces and visuals that are complemented by great music.

The ‘First Light’ feature enhances Bond’s charm by letting you try to deceive or attract targets, which uses a separate resource bar from your gadgets or toxins. I liked that getting caught didn’t always lead to a brawl, and there were often multiple ways to overcome challenges.

Visually, 007 First Light is breathtaking, showcasing the power of Path Tracing on NVIDIA hardware. Everything looks fantastic, from explosive action sequences and crowded ballrooms to even driving a garbage truck through city streets. Plus, fans will be pleased to hear that the music is excellent, particularly when the iconic James Bond theme plays.

007 First Light: Final Thoughts

007 First Light feels similar to the Hitman games, but it successfully carves out its own identity. IO Interactive has refined their established gameplay, adapted it for the James Bond universe, and added new ideas and mechanics. This is all wrapped up in an exciting, international story, making it feel both familiar and innovative. While I’ve only played a portion of the game, it offers a remarkable amount of variety in both gameplay and problem-solving. If First Light represents the future of 007 games, then the franchise is in excellent shape.

2026-04-30 18:09