Last updated on August 15, 2026
I recently had the chance to play through one of this year’s most anticipated titles, and I can honestly say the experience left a strong impression on me.
007 First Light, developed and published by IO Interactive with support from Amazon and MGM, is a game built with genuine passion, one where ambition clearly outweighs pure commercial calculation.
James Bond, now in a modern format
Having grown up with both the Uncharted and Hitman series, I was excited the moment this title was first revealed. I felt like the genre needed a wildcard, especially since Tomb Raider is not what it used to be either.
The first question I asked myself was about the quality of the final product, and whether it could reach the level of a Naughty Dog game. The answer, unsurprisingly, is no. Even though this is a full fledged AAA title, it does not quite match the polish, attention to detail, and effortless flow that the Uncharted games deliver.
That said, this certainly does not make it a worse game. 007 First Light does more than Uncharted and a bit less than Hitman, and that balance is exactly what I appreciate about it. It genuinely feels like the perfect fusion of the two.
Action, adventure, and gadgets
James Bond is the kind of character you simply cannot forget. Watching him work is a bit like being one of the women he charms, drawn in and eager for more action.
Let’s talk about gameplay, because that is where this game truly shines. The core loop is not entirely original, as mentioned above it borrows mechanics and ideas from several other titles, but 007 excels in one particular area: the freedom to complete missions your own way, without being held by the hand too much.
It was refreshing to see multiple ways to raise 100,000 dollars or capture an enemy. The game consistently offered choices, and I picked the ones that felt most interesting to me.
That adds a lot to replayability. Even if you replay the game and reach a section you really dislike, you can always approach it differently, which keeps the experience enjoyable and helps avoid burnout, somewhat similar to Telltale games.
I should admit that I had never watched a single James Bond film or show before this. They all slipped past me, and my interest kept fading whenever I learned how many movies, spinoffs, and games I would need to consume just to understand the full story of agent 007.
This game did shift my perspective a little, giving me a bit more curiosity to explore the wider Bond media, especially after seeing that Nathan Drake style charisma fused into the character.
As for combat, once again it is excellent. IO Interactive brought on a former combat designer who worked on the Batman Arkham games at Rocksteady years ago.
No question about it, the guy delivered. The combat feels crafted with real care, and I am largely satisfied, aside from the enemy variety and boss design, which did get a bit repetitive for me.
Do not expect too many bosses in this game, there are only about three, two of which are essentially identical. The design philosophy behind them relies on using the environment plus a few punches they barely react to.
Of course, the choreography and cutscenes carry most of the weight and emotional impact of these fights, but purely as gameplay, it felt a little more recycled than I would have liked.
Let’s touch on the Hitman comparison, specifically the stealth side. The sauce here is not quite as rich, but you can still enjoy the meal without complaint. At least that was my first impression, before I got used to the stealth system.
I have not sunk hundreds of hours into Hitman, and honestly the latest entry in that series lost me after only three or four hours of aimless wandering. That is exactly why I loved First Light, it simplifies things for everyone. You get gadgets you can use either stealthily or head on in combat, and they can help you secure a specific item you need mid fight.
The gameplay sections are engaging, but what about the visuals?
When it comes to the graphics and art style, I could go on for a while, but I will keep it brief. First Light tends to be an easy game on the eyes, without a confusing art direction or an attempt at full photorealism.
The game keeps things relatively simple under the hood, running on IO Interactive’s own Glacier Engine, which appears to push everything it has to deliver a fidelity that lines up with modern AAA standards.
As for character design, it is very well done, noticeably better than most realistic AAA titles I have played recently. That is especially true for the protagonist, played by the semi famous actor Patrick Gibson, whom most people will recognize from the show Dexter.
One detail I noticed, or rather several details, is just how commercialized the game feels. You will spot Coca Cola and Fanta ads, various car brands like Aston Martin, outfits from well known designers, and even social media influencers such as Khaby Lame and Shroud.
I would not say this factor bothered me exactly, but it certainly feels like wasted potential, money that could have gone toward extra polish instead.
Guns, gadgets, and a stylish thrill
Beyond a great gameplay loop and visuals that never feel unpleasant in the early hours, the soundtrack deserves just as much praise, if not more.
I was genuinely surprised to find this is the one category where the game truly rivals Naughty Dog’s output. Every weapon, every punch, and every step you take feels crucial and adds depth to the overall experience.
The music sticks closely to the classic James Bond style. It does not stray far from the source material, staying on the same wavelength, perhaps a touch more modern than the films everyone already knows, but you still get that same old school vibe you would have felt ten or fifteen years ago, if not better.
I like it, I am on board with the story, but I want more
I do not think I can talk at length about the story, not because it is bad, and not because it is a masterpiece either. The simple truth is that it moves quickly and can be hard to keep pace with. Pacing tends to be an issue in most story driven games, and here it feels like things were rushed a little.
Expect something along the lines of a Disney plot, where the villain loses, the hero cracks jokes along the way, and wins without too much struggle. Bond manages to pull off the impossible more than once, complete with plot twists, from haters to lovers relationships, and beautiful women he ends up with on a random Thursday morning simply because he feels like it.
Overall I have no major complaints. James Bond is a funny, badass, and genuinely interesting character to follow in a video game, and it is clear the main inspiration was Nathan Drake from Uncharted.
Still, I have seen plenty of characters like him before, and while I am glad the story avoids any heavy handed political messaging that nobody asked for, I do feel it could have offered a slightly more mature narrative for players who actually want to take something away from a video game.
Well done IO, you have won me over with this one
With outstanding combat, gorgeous visuals, and a genuinely charming Bond, 007 First Light stands out as one of the best games of the year, with very few real rivals in its genre.
I recommend this game with confidence, not just to fans of Uncharted and Hitman, but also to players who do not want to wrestle with complex mechanics for a minimal payoff. 007 hands you most of what you need on a silver platter, but it still keeps a bit of challenge in reserve. In the end, the choice between complexity and comfort is entirely yours.
Final score: 9.2 out of 10
I’m passionate about books and video games. These two great passions represent, for me, a boundless universe where I can “escape” from reality whenever I need or want to. There are so many stories, worlds, and landscapes where I can instantly teleport that I don’t think a whole lifetime would be enough to explore them all (though it would be my greatest dream to be able to).
