007: First Light Xbox Playstation Nintendo PC Gaming

[Dylan]

IO Interactive, the folks behind Hitman, are working on a new James Bond game called 007 First Light.

It seems like they're going for a fresh take with a totally new 007 that isn't based on any of the classic Bond movies. The tagline "earn the number" suggests it might be a prequel story.

The big reveal is set for this week during Summer Game Fest 2025, where they promise some "never-before-seen footage."

IO has hinted that they want to explore new aspects of the Bond character. It sounds like they're trying to figure out how to blend stealth gameplay without losing that classic Bond flair.

 

[Abomb]

I've gotten as far as the Aleph mission, and so far it's a big disappointment. It's a bare bones Hitman game. Given that Bond is supposed to be the think outside the box, I'm amazed at the limitations in the way you can use the environment compared to Agent 47.

 

[Cappuccino Kid]

Just finished it and very happy with this. It's a really good fusion between Hitman and Uncharted with some really fun levels and great dialogue. Definitely going to be a sequel as well as the upcoming DLC. Next time I want to see more Hitman style levels with more complex and open ended solutions, but at the same time perhaps introduce a manual save, the restart option from the menu is brutal at times.

 

[Gemma]

I'm enjoying this. I'm not too far into the game yet - I'm on a ship just after 009 has been killed.

I thought I was going to hate it when I needed to find 100,000 to proceed to the auction but it wasn't too much of a chore.

 

[Gemma]

Completed this tonight. Enjoyed it overall although some bits were repetitive (a bit like Hitman games).

Some fun towards the end using all the different gadgets in Q-Labs.

 

[BlackEyed Pete]

Recently, IO Interactive shared some insights about their initial vision for 007 First Light, and it seems like it was set to be quite a departure from what we see now.

A Shift in Focus
Originally, the game was intended to feature not just our suave protagonist, but an ensemble cast of double-O agents. Imagine the dynamics of Bond teaming up with other agents, each bringing their unique skills to the table! This concept promised a more collaborative experience, where players would engage with a variety of characters throughout their missions.

The Promise of Variety
However, as development progressed, the focus shifted back to Bond himself. This decision might have simplified the narrative, but it also meant losing out on the potential for richer storytelling and varied gameplay that an ensemble cast could have provided. It's a classic case of making a "false promise" during the training sequence, as IO Interactive put it.

What Could Have Been
While the final product still delivers the thrilling experience fans expect from a Bond game, one can't help but wonder how different it might have felt with a broader cast. Would it have added depth to the missions? Would players have enjoyed the interplay between different characters?

It's clear that IO Interactive had some ambitious ideas for 007 First Light that ultimately evolved into a more traditional Bond experience.

 

[Dylan]

Enjoyed most of it, so far, up until the most recent chapter in the empty office building, where I'm standing around waiting for the business robots to unlock doors for me. That's a minor complaint though in what has otherwise been an entertaining playthrough so far. The storyline is solid and, whether you choose to approach an objective with stealth or combat, either way is a lot of fun