007 First Light

007 First Light doesn't just understand James Bond: it embodies him. IO Interactive delivers a thrilling origin story packed with slick bare-knuckle fights, punchy gunplay, ingenious gadgets, and enough cinematic swagger to rival the movies themselves. Backed by stellar performances and some of the strongest gameplay the studio has ever crafted, First Light more than earns its license to thrill.

James Bond hadn't starred in a game for over a decade, and 007 First Light was exactly what he needed to return to the format. The game is meticulously crafted, with a perfectly balanced, megalomaniacal story and captivating characters that are enough to keep the player hooked.

007 First Light is a top-tier game both Bond fans and stealth action gamers will love. It has all the hallmarks of a great Bond film with some of the best stealth action gameplay in the industry. I’m excited to see one of my favorite franchises in the hands of a studio that loves it as much as I do. 007 First Light is worthy of the Bond legacy and easily one of the best games of the year.

007 First Light is a strong new beginning for James Bond in games, combining a deep origin story, varied missions, stealth, action, excellent hand-to-hand combat, precise shooting, impressive visuals and classic Bond atmosphere. A few slower sections and the lack of a body-hiding mechanic are minor issues in an otherwise excellent spy adventure.

After a long stretch in the dark, a truly worthy 007 game has finally arrived. With a young Bond at its center, it delivers nearly everything fans could want from a Bond film—thrilling storytelling, clever twists, and charismatic characters alike. It feels poised to become a new “first light” in the history of 007 games.

Despite minor flaws, the Danes have created a very vibrant, charming, and damn impressive game — 20 hours of it pass like a single moment. 007 First Light is a true summer blockbuster from the world of video games. And that's a compliment.

Let's not mince words: 007 First Light is a genuine game-changer for the action-stealth genre. IO Interactive masterfully strikes a balance between a mature narrative and cinematic direction, all while delivering a level design that actively encourages player experimentation and creativity. The seamless transition between silent infiltration, clever gadgetry, and a dynamic combat system that fully leverages the environment showcases an extraordinary level of mastery and creative flair. The Danish studio has crafted an experience as robust as it is ambitious, perfectly honoring and celebrating the James Bond legacy.

007 First Light captures the spirit of James Bond brilliantly, blending espionage, action, and player freedom into a package that feels distinctly its own. IO Interactive has delivered a confident start for its take on 007, with only a few minor blemishes holding it back. We can't wait to see what IO Interactive does next with an already stellar IP.

007 First Light is easily one of the best Bond experiences I’ve had in years. IO Interactive perfectly understood what makes James Bond special and combined cinematic storytelling, clever mission design, fantastic gunfights, strong music, and immersive spy mechanics into something that truly feels worthy of the legendary IP.

James Bond is back, bringing all his signature style, spy skills, and one-liners to the table. It goes without saying that we love this new outing for the super spy.

After a 14-year hiatus, 007 First Light gives James Bond a triumphant return into the world of video games. While it won't revolutionize the industry like GoldenEye did in its time, it undoubtedly delivers one of the best video game experiences of all time in the shoes of the iconic spy. IO Interactive has skillfully adapted its expertise from the Hitman series, as well as offering fast-paced and spectacular gameplay that punctuates a gripping storyline that rivals the films based on the character created by Ian Fleming. A brilliant first light in the service of Their Majesty, and we wish it an equally bright future, if circumstances allow.

While cinema is still searching for a new Bond, the studio IO Interactive has already found its virtual version. Rebellious and arrogant, Patrick Gibson does a fantastic job in the shoes of Her Majesty's secret agent without needing to wear a tuxedo, in a well-crafted adventure that marks the beginning of a new era for 007 in video games. With gameplay that cleverly distances itself from what we already know from Hitman to embrace a stronger narrative and the cinematic moments immortalized on the big screen, 007: First Light didn't need a license to dazzle.

With a great cast of characters, tons of imagination and just the right amount of player agency and replayability, this is a delightful playground full of gadgetry and spycraft that players will want to return to again and again. A confident return for the Double-O program, and – sorry Goldeneye – this is without a doubt, the best James Bond game ever made.

With superb writing, top-notch acting, beautiful cinematography, and expressive gameplay, 007 First Light is as sleek as it is engaging. James Bond is back, baby, and he’s never been this cool.

There’s plenty packed into 007 First Light, and yet it still feels like IO Interactive is just scratching the surface of what it can do in this world. A new era of Bond is here, and I’m absolutely keen to see what’s next.

First Light takes the familiar Hitman formula and gives it a stylish Bond makeover. With its cool gadgets and Patrick Gibson’s charm, the game is a must-have for all Bond fans.

007 First Light introduces us to a young, inexperienced James Bond while staying true to the essence of the film franchise. The story is gripping, the soundtrack is pure epic, and although it can feel quite linear and as if you’re being “led by the hand” the whole time, overall it’s an outstanding game that keeps you glued to the screen, eager to find out what happens next.

A stylish and surprisingly deep spy adventure that captures the true spirit of James Bond. 007 First Light starts slow, but once it opens up, it delivers thrilling stealth, brutal combat, clever gadgets, and massive cinematic set pieces that feel straight out of a classic Bond movie. Despite some awkward stealth disguises and frustrating shootouts, IO Interactive created one of the best Bond games in years.

Even without the legendary status of GoldenEye 007, 007 First Light still stands as the best James Bond game to date. IO Interactive has refined its signature style of strategic, systems driven level design to an exceptional degree, but rather than simply forcing Bond into the mold of the Hitman series, the studio expands on that foundation with a more aggressive approach built around faster pacing and larger set pieces, all while blending naturally with top tier stealth design. Every fantasy of stepping into the role of a master secret agent is fully realized here. More importantly, 007 First Light does not just reinvent a classic icon, it truly earns the right to carry the legendary 007 designation.

007 First Light delivers a masterfully crafted origin story, blending sophisticated social stealth with high-octane spectacle. While predictable enemy AI and genre-typical "tunnel vision" occasionally break the immersion, the exceptional level design and respectful character evolution create the definitive Bond experience. It is a bold, polished return that prioritizes player intelligence over mindless action.

007 First Light is a confident and stylish debut for IO Interactive’s take on James Bond. Strong stealth gameplay, varied missions and a compelling origin story capture the spirit of 007 beautifully. While some combat and driving sections feel less polished, the overall package delivers exactly what a Bond adventure should: cinematic, thrilling and effortlessly cool.

007 First Light manages to carve out its own identity while making the most of IO Interactive’s past experience. The locales are exotic, the cars are fast, the Gadgets are fun, and the Bond charm is dazzling. Just try and ignore the product placement.

007 First Light isn’t the Bond-themed Hitman many expected, but it succeeds as a polished and entertaining action-adventure. A strong debut that captures the spirit of Bond while leaving room to grow.

The new Bond isn't just an excellent game; it’s the best James Bond game yet (yes, I said it), and it genuinely feels like it could be its own movie. The superb story, refreshing new mechanics, and highly authentic characters deliver a visually stunning, smooth PC experience. It honors the franchise for long-time fans while remaining engaging and fun enough on its own for newcomers to enjoy.

007 First Light surprised me with its interesting story, beautiful locations, but also the Hitman-like gameplay combined with tons of action sequences. Bond’s charisma, resourcefulness and adaptability carry the game, but the other characters like M, Q, Moneypenny or Greenway are just as memorable. You’ll feel plenty of emotions, from fear to disappointment, happiness and even laugh at times. It truly is a Bond movie distilled in a videogame format, and a great one at that.

Despite a few repetitive gameplay flaws, 007 First Light successfully carries the immense weight of the franchise, marking a triumphant return after 14 years. While it may not be a perfect fit just yet, it brilliantly delivers James Bond's captivating origin, quenching fans' long-standing thirst and leaving us eagerly anticipating his next mission.

007 First Light shows that the Hitman developers have a good handle on how to make a James Bond game work within their wheelhouse. The emphasis on less flashy espionage alongside multiple avenues to accomplish your given goal works to this game's favor in helping to differentiate it from past 007 games. There's still enough action to prevent the game from feeling like a complete tonal shift from common expectations. The quality of the stealth helps compensate for the combat, which is good but can feel lacking in areas. The adventure remains fun but familiar, while the presentation is top-notch. The game is another good example of how to do a licensed game well, and the hope is that we'll see IO Interactive do more in this universe, whether that's DLC or a full-on sequel.

007 First Light, which can be considered the origin story of James Bond, features both a narrative that successfully captures classic Bond action and humor, as well as gameplay that you’ll enjoy diving into.

007 First Light is one of the greatest James Bond games ever made. IO Interactive crafted a great third-person adventure game that mixes linear and open-ended levels and delivers an Oscar-worthy narrative to support it all. There's still room for improvement in the already-confirmed sequel (the credits close with 'James Bond will return'), but Bond's origin story is a must for genre fans.

James Bond was a young agent once and here you have a chance to witness his first outings in a game where IO Interactive's past comes in the form of expertise.

Hitman fans may want to temper their expectations, but anyone looking for a classic action-adventure should definitely pay attention.

007 First Light is one of the most pleasant surprises of recent years and, without a doubt, a successful return for James Bond to the gaming world. Fully aware of the weight of the name he carries, IO Interactive retains the key elements of the hero that made him famous, redefining him without undermining him, while offering compelling gameplay that will satisfy fans of action games with a strong cinematic flair.

First Light does not break the mold in any meaningful ways, while not being a bad game either. In fact, IOI's first forray with 007 is pretty great. And with their history of updates and meaningful sequels - I look forward where 007 goes next.

007 First Light is a fantastic action game that’s not without its share of faults. It has epic, high-octane action sequences, the gunplay is some of the best in the genre, and the hand-to-hand combat and stealth mechanics are fluid. With that said, the puzzle-solving sections of the story do feel either basic or overly linear and having characters tag along sometimes ruins the fun. That’s on top of Bond’s younger character being less likable. Despite our complaints, 007 First Light remains a massive accomplishment and one of the best 007 games to be released, featuring a solid cast of characters and highly engaging scenarios.

First Light is an incredibly accomplished, charming, and exciting execution of a well-worn genre, and its stealth action is deeply satisfying, although the Hitman fan in me can't help but mourn the game it might have been if IO had prioritised the type of design they do better than anyone else over linear thrills.

It’s a stellar single player adventure that, if you’re a Bond fan, is well worth the price of admission. IOI have lovingly recreated this iconic character and the world he inhabits, and while it’s not perfect, it certainly ranks among the best in the franchise.

007 First Light is the best James Bond game since the legendary GoldenEye 007 nearly three decades ago. The developers at IO Interactive brilliantly captured everything we love about Her Majesty’s secret agent, while also introducing plenty of fresh, original ideas to his story. That said, coming from the creators of the Hitman series, I expected less simplified stealth mechanics and smarter enemy AI.

IO Interactive has successfully combined the stealth formula of the Hitman with the spectacle of the Uncharted. On top of that, the Danish developers tell a story that Hollywood wouldn’t be ashamed to use for its next big-budget summer blockbuster.

It may not be a perfect video game, but it delivers the ultimate Bond experience. IO Interactive excels with a compelling origin story, vast gameplay freedom, and a masterfully crafted espionage atmosphere. One can only hope the Danish developer has more of these in the pipeline.

007: First Light is everything a Bond game should be, taking inspiration from the biggest hits with sharp dialogue, inventive gadgets, classic cars, satisfying stealth, a great cast, and huge action set pieces.

After all the doubts surrounding its development and direction, 007 First Light pleasantly surprised us. It skillfully blends varied gameplay segments while delivering a highly cinematic, “James Bond-esque” experience. The production values are solid, and the story is compelling enough for the genre—if you overlook the usual implausibilities. The franchise has made a successful video game reboot, and we’re curious to see what IO Interactive does with it next.

After this long hiatus from James Bond games, we were eager to see what the creators of Hitman would present to us—and they’ve delivered! Sure, there are a few rough edges here and there, but the overall package will delight more than just Bond fans: plenty of action, well-balanced emotional moments, and a long, gripping story will instantly turn you into Her Majesty’s agent. In interviews, the developers have already announced that they’re dreaming of a Bond trilogy. Given how the first installment turned out, all we can say is: Definitely do it.

007: First Light is a superbly written and audiovisually captivating Bond film that perfectly captures the atmosphere of spy films and serves up a strong story full of action, humor and stylish moments. IO Interactive did a great job of portraying the young James Bond and created one of the best game adaptations of the famous film character. From a gaming perspective, however, it is not a revolution – instead of a spy simulator, you get a heavily scripted action arcade.

007 First Light offers a strong reboot for James Bond in gaming, reintroducing the iconic agent's origin story with charismatic characters and a compelling plot. The Glacier Engine delivers satisfying performance, though it demands a powerful CPU. Gameplay balances stealth and explosive action, with a competent combat system, despite some AI limitations and occasional immersion breaks. The game features varied gadgets, excellent mission design with multiple approaches, and a surprisingly good driving segment.

While it doesn't pull up any roots, 007: First Light is a beautiful, cinematic action game that makes clever use of the IO formula. From the performance of Patrick Gibson to the iconic score, this is a game that tells a new story and basks in nostalgia in equal measure, giving James Bond a fresh angle in the process.

While it has its fair share of problems, and it is certainly not the masterpiece Bond fans were hoping for, 007 First Light did manage to entertain me throughout the majority of its runtime. The issues I mentioned with the game's design weren't necessarily gamebreaking, just really stupid. Having said that, I'm glad that we finally got an adventure with James Bond that felt as though it came from a place of passion. Let's just hope that passion is spent on a sequel that sparkles as bright as Diamonds Are Forever, because when it comes to James Bond, You Only Live Twice.

IO's Bond-iverse story shines, but not enough to compensate for the very familiar game around it.