For years, James Bond fans have been asking the same question: when will 007 get a modern video game worthy of the world’s most famous spy?

After more than a decade away from the spotlight, IO Interactive has finally stepped up with 007 First Light, a fresh take on Bond’s origins that feels surprisingly confident right out of the gate. And for the most part, it delivers exactly what fans were hoping for.

Instead of introducing us to the polished secret agent we know from the movies, First Light takes players back to the beginning. This is a younger Bond, still learning the ropes, still making mistakes, and still earning his place within MI6.

The story begins after Bond survives a helicopter crash in Iceland, setting him on the path from Royal Navy air crewman to elite 00 agent. Along the way, players meet familiar faces like M, Q, and Moneypenny, while also building relationships with a cast of new characters that help shape Bond’s early career.

One of the biggest surprises is just how strong the character writing is. Bond feels reckless, impulsive, and inexperienced at first, but as the adventure unfolds, the charm, wit, and confidence that define the character begin to emerge naturally. It’s an origin story that actually feels earned.

The adventure takes players across several stunning locations including London, Malta, Slovakia, Mauritania, and Vietnam. Every destination feels detailed and believable, showcasing the same environmental design expertise that IO Interactive became known for with the Hitman series.

And speaking of Hitman, its influence is impossible to ignore.

While 007 First Light is much more cinematic and story-driven than Hitman, some of its best moments come when the game opens up and lets players approach objectives however they want. These sandbox-style missions allow Bond to sneak, bluff, manipulate situations, or fight his way through challenges depending on the player’s preferred style.

The bluff mechanic deserves special praise. Few games allow players to talk their way out of danger as effectively as First Light does, and it feels perfectly suited to Bond’s smooth-talking personality.

Combat is solid throughout the campaign. Hand-to-hand fights require players to dodge attacks, parry strikes, and use environmental takedowns to gain the upper hand. It isn’t the deepest combat system around, but it captures the feel of a Bond action sequence remarkably well.

Gunfights are less consistent. While they can be exciting and cinematic, some encounters throw large numbers of enemies at the player, resulting in chaotic battles that occasionally feel more explosive than strategic. Fortunately, these moments are balanced well enough that they never completely derail the experience.

If there’s one area where the game struggles, it’s driving.

Vehicle sequences look fantastic, but the handling can feel overly assisted, almost as if the game is trying too hard to help players stay on the road. Instead of feeling empowered behind the wheel, players may find themselves fighting against the game’s steering corrections.

Technically, the game performs well on PlayStation 5 overall. Performance Mode targets 60 frames per second and generally succeeds, though occasional drops can occur during larger combat encounters. Visuals are impressive throughout, even if some scenes appear slightly soft or blurry around the edges.

Beyond the main campaign, IO Interactive has also introduced TacSim Mode, a collection of replayable challenges focused on stealth, combat, and mission mastery. While somewhat limited at launch, it adds extra replay value and feels like the perfect foundation for future content updates.

The good news is that IO Interactive has an excellent track record of supporting games long after release. If TacSim receives the same level of attention that Hitman enjoyed, it could become one of the game’s strongest long-term features.

Ultimately, 007 First Light feels like a successful reinvention of James Bond in video game form. It blends cinematic storytelling with player freedom, introduces a compelling new version of Bond, and lays a strong foundation for what could become a long-running franchise.

It isn’t perfect. The driving sections need refinement, some gunfights become overly chaotic, and there are occasional technical hiccups. But when the game leans into espionage, stealth, and player choice, it absolutely shines.

For Bond fans, this is easily the best 007 game in years. And for everyone else, it’s a surprisingly strong action-adventure that proves James Bond still belongs in gaming.

Conclusion

007 First Light doesn’t reinvent the action-adventure genre, but it doesn’t need to. By combining cinematic storytelling with the freedom and creativity IO Interactive perfected in Hitman, it delivers a Bond experience that feels both familiar and fresh. Despite a few technical shortcomings, this is a confident first step for a new generation of James Bond games.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆ 8/10 — Great

A confident and exciting new beginning for James Bond in gaming.

Have you played 007 First Light yet? Do you agree with our 8/10 score, or do you think Bond deserves an even higher rating? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.