007 First Light Review: IO Interactive Builds a New Bond from Scratch

IO Interactive spent seven years refining their formula in the Hitman trilogy. Now they apply all that accumulated craft to another espionage legend — James Bond. 007 First Light tells the story of a young Bond's early missions before earning 00 status.

Level Structure

The game maintains IO's sandbox approach: each of eight levels is a self-contained 'location' (Havana, Tokyo, London, Algiers) with hundreds of ways to complete the objective. Kill the target or recruit them? Compromise or neutralize? Your choices affect story development.

The Young Bond

This protagonist isn't yet the cold professional we know. IO deliberately makes him more impulsive, capable of mistakes. Several missions can be narratively 'failed' and continued with different consequences — a fresh approach that sacrifices Hitman's perfectionism for narrative vulnerability.

Where It Falls Short

The combat system lags behind the stealth: hand-to-hand combat is stiff, gunfights feel formulaic. Those expecting Splinter Cell will be disappointed — this is Hitman in a Bond suit.

Verdict

007 First Light is a convincing debut for IO Interactive's new IP. Not their best game, but a worthy one. If you liked Hitman, it's essential.