007 First Light appears to have delivered the James Bond comeback that fans have been waiting for. After nearly 14 years without a major Bond game, IO Interactive’s new third person action adventure has received strong praise for its story, characters, stealth tools, spy fantasy, and technical performance. Wccftech gave the game an 8.5 out of 10, calling it one of the greatest James Bond games ever made.
The game arrives after a long gap for the franchise. The last major Bond title, 007 Legends, launched in 2012 and was widely criticized. That made 007 First Light an important test for both IO Interactive and the Bond gaming license. Based on the review, the studio has not simply copied its Hitman formula. Instead, it has built a more narrative driven Bond game that mixes linear cinematic levels with larger open ended areas.
First Light works best when it lets Bond act like a spy, but the story is the real highlight
The review says 007 First Light is strongest when IO Interactive leans on its expertise with flexible mission design. In open ended areas, Bond can use gadgets, distractions, stealth, and social manipulation to move through situations like a proper spy. The Instinct system lets him lure guards away, bluff his way out of some confrontations, and slow time during firefights through a Focus ability.
Bond also has access to several Q Lab gadgets. These include a Laser for cutting wires and locks, a Dart Phone for triggering objects or distracting enemies, a Shockwave Camera, Flash Mine Earphones, a Missile Pen, Smoke Pods, and a Q Watch that can hack cameras, trigger distractions, and manipulate environmental hazards.
| Area | Review takeaway |
|---|---|
| Score | 8.5 out of 10 |
| Best feature | Strong Bond origin story |
| Gameplay style | Mix of linear and open ended levels |
| Main strength | Spy tools, gadgets, and open mission design |
| Main weakness | Too many linear sections |
| Difficulty | Often too easy |
| Performance | Strong visuals, smooth PC performance |
The game also includes melee combat, stealth takedowns, and occasional vehicle sequences. The reviewer found melee solid but not especially deep, noting that Bond can block, parry, dodge, slam enemies into the environment, and use finishing moves. The shoulder charge was described as especially powerful, to the point that it can make groups of enemies easier to handle than expected.
The biggest praise goes to the story. 007 First Light is an origin tale that follows Bond before he joins the 00 programme. He begins as a Royal Navy aircrewman in training and becomes involved with MI6 after surviving a secret mission in Iceland. From there, the story expands into a global conspiracy with locations including Slovakia, Mauritania, Vietnam, and Antarctica.
The cast also received strong praise. Patrick Gibson’s Bond is described as confident, stubborn, and relentless, while Noemie Nakai’s Miss Roth and Lennie James as John Greenway are highlighted as standout performances.
Technically, the PC version also appears polished. The review says IO Interactive’s Glacier engine delivers strong visuals, smooth performance, and no stuttering on high end hardware. Path tracing is not available at launch and is planned for a summer update, but the current release still appears to perform well.
007 First Light is not perfect. The review argues that the game could use more open ended levels, fewer linear sections, and stronger challenge. Even so, it sounds like IO Interactive has built a strong Bond origin story and laid the foundation for more games, especially since the credits tease that James Bond will return.
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