007 First Light Review: Licence to Thrill

“Bond. James Bond.” Just that one phrase and the acquainted notes begin enjoying in your head. That’s the form of permanence 007 occupies within the collective consciousness. It’s fast and whole recall: there he’s along with his ravaged, good-looking face, his licence to kill, his means to seduce, his martini — shaken, not stirred. Crisp tuxedos, posh public-school accent, and versatile morality. Bond. James Bond.

He is simple to recall, however not really easy to resurrect. Each new Bond in Eon Productions’ long-running movie sequence comes with each baggage and a clean slate. He is a product of his period. At occasions refined, then camp. More just lately roguish and rugged. But at all times a postcolonial token of Britain’s gentle energy when no extra onerous energy was left to cling to. And if every new Bond is all of that, then how do you deliver him again in 2026?

Amazon MGM may nonetheless be wrestling with that query for the subsequent James Bond movie, however IO Interactive, the Danish developer identified for its frankly glorious Hitman video games, has discovered the reply with 007 First Light. The studio has managed to resurrect a Bond that’s without delay an homage to the character’s persistent mythos by totally different eras and an acknowledgement of the anxieties of right now. A Bond between previous and current, recognisably quaint and refreshingly fashionable.

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And within the means of reimagining James Bond, IO has crafted a online game that — fairly like its hero — amalgamates age-old design selections with an expertise firmly rooted in up to date tastes. 007 First Light is a 20-hour, narrative-driven linear story that shares its DNA with Hitman and Uncharted video games — a species more and more endangered in a medium obsessive about open worlds. But gameplay methods listed here are distinctly fashionable and surprisingly versatile. Because of these selections, First Light tells a compelling, convincing James Bond story, whereas delivering throwback spectacle by twisty automobile chases and laser-spitting wristwatches. And it does all of it with humour and coronary heart and some different neat tips up its sleeve.

007 First Light is an origin story that primarily brings again the spy from the chilly. James Bond is a lingering literary and cinematic icon, however he is been away for a very long time now. Eon’s final Bond movie with Daniel Craig as 007 got here out almost 5 years in the past. The mantle has not but handed to a different. It’s maybe tougher to inject heat blood into a personality who has been on ice for some time. But IO has taken the primary rules path to telling a narrative: begin at the start.

007 First Light’s James Bond is performed by Irish actor Patrick Gibson
Photo Credit: IO Interactive

James Bond, 26, brash, good-looking, pedigree unknown, begins off as a Royal Navy aircrewman on a clandestine, no-questions-asked retrieval operation in Iceland. The SAS group is ambushed and downed, and an injured however intact Bond decides to proceed the mission on his personal. He shortly finds an MI6 handler in his ear, however as a substitute of following directions, Bond follows intuition to realize outcomes. His antics, that betray any sense of self-preservation, get him recruited to the key service’s newly revived “00” program.

The dramatic introduction slips right into a breezy opening act comprising one of many extra intelligent coaching montages in latest reminiscence and an equally good setup of characters and contours of the story. Bond is not on time and takes time to each catch up and heat as much as different “00” recruits, all of whom have had a months-long head begin on him. But his attraction is simple and his means unquestionable, so by the top of the coaching program, he has everybody on his facet, besides his MI6 mentor, John Greenway, one of many recreation’s new characters amidst a forged of acquainted ones.

James Bond’s story begins as a Royal Navy aircrewman on a mission in Iceland
Photo Credit: IO Interactive/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul

Even as Bond has new mates and roommates in Cressida and Monroe, his fellow “00” recruits, he finds it onerous to win the belief of Greenway, a grizzled spy himself whose darkish previous makes him suspicious of everybody. Aside from the brand new faces, we’re additionally launched to previous ones: M, Q, and Miss Moneypenny, recreated in First Light with simply the suitable stability of nostalgia and newness. Bond engages in skilful repartee with each M and Moneypenny, and the sport wastes little time entrenching him in a world that may finally develop into his residence.

It’s spectacular how IO revives these characters, retaining glimpses of previous interpretation even because it creates ample room for brand new ones. But maybe extra spectacular is how the studio breathes life into its new characters who don’t have any present ties to the franchise. Cressida, for example, is immediately likeable. She is cool, assured, and suave, not too not like Bond himself. Monroe, however, is a traditional light large — his brutish, robust exterior solely hides a gentle, caring inside. The chemistry between Bond and his two new mates feels actual, tangible, and plausible. And it types the emotional core of the early half story that leaves Bond with scars each bodily and emotional.

007 First Light brings again acquainted faces from the James Bond franchise
Photo Credit: IO Interactive

The lightness of the setup provides approach to the heavy stuff that comes after. Things go incorrect in considered one of your first huge missions; stakes are revealed, and so are among the principal gamers of the story. 007 First Light topples what you’ve got constructed as much as that time with cruelty. And by the setbacks, you see Bond harden, just a bit bit — an early glimpse of his chilly exterior explored typically in films. Refreshingly, nevertheless, IO refuses to let that hardness attain his coronary heart. First Light’s James Bond is maybe probably the most brilliant and earnest tackle a personality that has typically been portrayed with a sure cynicism up to now. Part of it comes from the truth that he’s nonetheless 26 right here, not but a person surrendered to his destiny, however a boyish novice nonetheless studying the ropes.

But 007 First Light’s story places him by the wringer to speed up his maturity. Over the course of 20 or so hours, you see Bond study among the classes that may stick with him and develop into recognisable character traits. Because of the linear nature of the marketing campaign, the story is impeccably paced, other than a couple of uneven and outlandish turns. You’re funnelled from mission to mission, however allowed room to breathe. There are moments of levity, of sombre reflection, however Bond licks his wounds shortly and is again reporting for responsibility with out dwelling an excessive amount of on the losses. This, maybe, was my chief criticism with First Light’s story. Aside from one temporary sequence, Bond hardly ever will get time and alternative to grieve and mirror.

Bond has little time to mirror in 007 First Light
Photo Credit: IO Interactive/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul

In time, the story unfolds to disclose the true Bond villain, unhinged and burlesque in traditional Bond villain style. And after all, Bond meets his match in a Bond woman, up to date right here to ditch the mean-spirited sexism and commodification of the character typically seen in among the earlier Bond movies. In the sport, 007 crosses paths with Isola Vale, a French intelligence operative whose missions and motives are sometimes unclear. The two shortly type a rapport, however their materials pursuits stay in battle even when their romantic pursuits match. Later on, Vale’s motives propel Bond and his mission in the direction of predictable territory, however their dynamic is dealt with with a light-weight contact and their relationship leaves a door open for future prospects.

IO in some way finds the time to let the broader forged of characters shine in a tightly paced narrative. Greenway, Moneypenny, Isola: Bond’s allies and enemies in First Light aren’t simply props in service to the spy; they share the stage with him, and typically upstage him, too. Greenway (a wonderful Lennie James) most notably hogs the highlight. Bond flies below his wing for a lot of the journey, and the preliminary friction between the 2 dissolves into respect and recognition that goes each methods. Greenway’s troubled previous ties straight into the story’s central battle, and his redemption turns into one of many highlights of the busy ultimate act.

007 First Light makes an attempt to ditch the sexism related to Bond ladies
Photo Credit: IO Interactive

But make no mistake about who the true star of the story is. Irish actor Patrick Gibson inhabits and interprets James Bond with disarming attraction and wit, however he additionally brings a burning depth and thriller to the character. IO deliberately retains Bond’s previous shrouded; to know an excessive amount of would imply discovering out little. And with out the textual content to attract margins across the character, Gibson’s portrayal leans on subtext and subtlety to let Bond bloom past his prescription.

Clearly, First Light’s Bond is a rogue with a coronary heart of gold, however Gibson’s efficiency leaves room for a lot extra, too. His Bond is devilishly good-looking and debonair however with out the air of somebody who is aware of that about themselves. He is loyal, typically to a fault, and retains a really clear moral sense even in strenuous circumstances. And he is additionally a little bit of a prick who can by no means not have the final phrase in an trade, even whether it is to his personal detriment. Gibson additionally finds a little bit of real empathy inside a personality who has largely remained inscrutable over a long time, in need of Casino Royale stripping away the armour, fairly actually, with Craig’s tackle the spy. And it makes Bond in First Light maybe probably the most likable model of 007 in reminiscence. You are with him, on his facet from minute one. Gibson’s portrayal might be onerous to prime for whoever turns into the subsequent Bond.

Patrick Gibson excels as James Bond
Photo Credit: IO Interactive/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul

The story performs out throughout 10 chapters, every constructed to incorporate a sprawling mission and its narrative consequence. Before you head out, there is a little bit of stage setting and ceremony. You get ordered by M, briefed by Moneypenny, and outfitted by Q after which let unfastened within the subject. From right here, First Light resembles its kin, IO’s rebooted Hitman trilogy. You begin on the margins of an expansive, interactive stage filled with alternatives to take advantage of. At your disposal is the Q-Watch, probably the most essential device you may use within the recreation. The watch lets you hack and sneak your method into restricted areas or just blind your enemies for a short minute so you’ll be able to slip by.

But apart from his number of devices, which embody a missile-firing pen, a shockwave-emitting digicam, and a dart-shooting telephone, Bond himself is the final word versatile helpful device in 007 First Light. He’s a human screwdriver that may flip right into a wrench and hit like a sledgehammer when the state of affairs calls for indelicacy. He can bluff his method out of a good spot, slip into areas he isn’t alleged to be in by creating distractions, and punch his path clear when issues come to blows.

Like Hitman, missions in First Light current a number of alternatives
Photo Credit: IO Interactive/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul

The give attention to stealth in 007 First Light shares some widespread floor with Hitman, but it surely mirrors Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs sequence extra carefully. Armed along with his Q-Watch and devices, Bond can manipulate the setting to his benefit. Hack right into a digital panel, blow up a fuel principal, or activate the copier to distract a guard maintaining watch. IO’s system for a hitman mixing into the group earlier than reaching and eliminating his goal applies completely to a spy, too. But Bond is rather less apprehensive about being discovered than Agent 47. He is extra improvisational, rather less of a silent murderer and just a little extra charming bullshitter.

As you discover a stage, you’ll discover alternatives to listen in on folks and reveal essential hints that may current a number of pathways in the direction of your objective. There’s no mini-map or compass, however the intelligent stage design and a few minimal goal markers information you thru your chosen path. These will be linear or pretty open-ended. For occasion, in one of many earliest missions, you might both create a distraction or procure a press move to realize entry right into a resort. But in a later stage, the trail is extra versatile. The goal is to earn $100,000 to get an viewers with Bawma, the pirate warlord performed by Lennie Kravitz. The stage lets you proceed the way you need by presenting a menu of money-making alternatives. You can gamble, or participate in an underground struggle membership, or hijack a shady deal taking place to earn your method by.

Bond can sneak his method into restricted areas
Photo Credit: IO Interactive/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul

And at any given level, the strategy can change. Stealth is just not a strict requirement and infrequently a little bit of motion is inspired. Here’s the place 007 First Light differs most from Hitman. Bond can throw down. Getting into fisticuffs within the recreation is enormously enjoyable and pretty difficult, particularly when going through down a number of enemies. It’s a easy however efficient system: you dodge, you parry, and also you punch onerous. But the impacts are crunchy and the animations are fluid, and so they greater than make up for the shortage of mechanical depth. The fight system flows from fists to firearms seamlessly, too. When Bond is in mortal hazard, the display screen flashes “Licence to Kill,” and that is when you’ll be able to take your gun out and begin taking pictures.

The transition is so clean you do not even discover it. In a couple of particular sections of the sport, fistfights or shootouts are locked in, however principally, the 2 elements of the fight system are baked collectively. You may take out a few guys silently, punch the residing daylights out of some others, choose up a gun and go loud — all within the span of 60 seconds. Shootouts are onerous, too. You can by no means simply depend on firepower as ammunition is in brief provide. And you’ll be able to by no means persist with a single cowl and filter the room. Instead, 007 First Light needs you to be in your toes. Take cowl, shoot some unhealthy guys, run out of bullets, throw your gun into the face of an enemy closing in on you, rush him and knock him out, choose up his gun and begin taking pictures once more. It’s this fluidity that elevates 007 First Light’s gameplay from different third-person motion/shooter video games like Uncharted.

Shootouts and fistfights move into one another seamlessly in First Light
Photo Credit: IO Interactive/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul

Perhaps the very best a part of the fight system is the way it leans closely on environmental improvisation, each in fistfights and shootouts. You can throw espresso mugs, wrenches, and paperweights at enemies to disorient them and rush in for a takedown. You can even seize maintain of somebody and slam them into tables, partitions, electrical compartments, hearth extinguishers, and different environmental hazards to take them out shortly. And when exercising your licence to kill, you’ll be able to blow up trusty crimson barrels or shoot at fuel pipelines, overhanging cargo, and a wide range of props to instantly neutralise the risk.

There’s an actual tactility to all these actions within the subject. Everything you do as Bond, from hacking to punching to taking pictures, feels without delay each video gamey and cinematic. Unlike Uncharted, 007 First Light wears its online game badge proudly. It is not obsessive about cinematic realism, whether or not it is how issues look or how they really feel. That doesn’t suggest that the motion is not grounded, however First Light can also be not apprehensive about wanting foolish, particularly in its huge set piece sequences. Whether it is high-speed automobile chases, or a shootout at an airport conspicuously plagued by gasoline barrels, or a rooftop hide-and-seek with a sniper gunning for Bond’s fairly head, the sport finds the correct mix of over-the-top motion and plausible realism. The motion can get a tad repetitive, however the shifting environments and the ahead momentum of the story permits the sport to maneuver shortly with out exhausting itself.

007 First Light creates urgency in its missions, consistently pushing you ahead
Photo Credit: IO Interactive/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul

The motion set items themselves are nods to memorable sequences from Bond and Mission: Impossible films. In truth, 007 First Light is plagued by tiny particulars — from names of sure characters to collectibles scattered throughout ranges — that wink at its inspirations. The principal narrative hook, too, is a nod to the storyline of the final two Mission Impossible movies that explored the necessity for actual folks fixing actual issues within the age of an all-knowing AI. It’s yet one more method 007 First Light manages to really feel present and up to date whereas telling a narrative that might properly be about Cold-War period spies. And that reveals IO Interactive’s deep understanding of the supply materials and the tone of Bond films by the years.

And then it is the little particulars, too, that go a great distance in making First Light really feel genuine and alive. It’s the way in which the sport establishes Bond, before everything, as a good-looking man — even hostiles typically say issues like “your time is up, pretty boy.” Or the way in which Bond adjusts his cuffs or brushes off his shoulder after kicking down a door. Or the way in which every mission, every new outfit Bond wears within the recreation is a homage to one thing you’ve got seen within the movies. 007 First Light is attentive to that form of stuff in any respect factors, and it makes the sport really feel richer, its world deeper. Visually, too, the sport finds a lane between a cinematic look and a cartoonish flavour to current one thing that feels each actual and dreamlike. The picture is grainy, the colors pop, the lighting glows, and consequently, indoor areas come alive, even when the outside lack related element. 

Punchy indoor lighting and a grainy picture make 007 First Light look dreamlike and cinematic
Photo Credit: IO Interactive/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul

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Through its visuals, story, and the selection to strategy the supply materials in a brand new gentle, IO Interactive’s James Bond recreation adheres to an expertise that feels singular relatively than tailored. It’s not a stretch to say that 007 First Light is maybe the very best Bond recreation ever made, whilst you take into account the far-reaching affect and legacy of GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64. It’s additionally one of many higher narrative-driven linear action-adventure video games within the mould of Uncharted — there aren’t that a lot of these now. The scale of IO’s transformative work right here is spectacular. The studio hasn’t simply reskinned its Hitman video games; it hasn’t merely changed the murderer with the spy. Instead, the developer has labored with the versatile basis of Hitman to construct one thing new and bold and revolutionary.

Beyond its technical accomplishments, that are lots, 007 First Light succeeds at respiratory life into a personality that has purposely remained bigger than life. Over the years, Ian Fleming’s enduring spy has come to characterize a cool, indifferent lover/killer — an elusive and indulgent ambassador for Aston Martins and martinis, however typically little else. As if the world is just not sufficient for James Bond. But by making him refreshingly human, 007 First Light finds a world inside Bond himself.