007 First Light review round-up as James Bond’s Metacritic score is finally revealed

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James Bond is back in video games with 007 First Light, the first big Bond title in over a decade. Developed by IO Interactive – the creators of the Hitman series – the game combines the open-level gameplay and player freedom of Hitman with a more focused, story-driven action experience.

Hitman 3 came out more than five years ago, and while it’s been updated with new content since then, the big question is: was the ‘007 First Light’ expansion worth waiting so long for?

Okay, so I’ve been reading a lot of reviews, and it’s pretty clear – everyone’s saying GoldenEye 007 (or 007 First Light as it’s sometimes known) is seriously one of the greatest James Bond games ever! It’s awesome to see so much love for it.

Here is a rundown of the Metacritic score and what the reviews are saying.

What is the Metacritic score for 007 First Light?

007 First Light has a Metacritic score of 87, making it one of IO Interactive’s best-received games. It shares this high score with Hitman 3 and Hitman 2: Silent Assassin on PC. The score is based on over 50 reviews, indicating widespread praise for the game.

007 First Light review round-up

Lots of reviews are available, but we’ve collected some of the most helpful ones and shared the key takeaways.

The Guardian – 5/5

Ultimately, 007 First Light will be remembered for how completely it captures the world of James Bond, even more than for any individual, slightly flawed action sequence. It’s clear the game was created by passionate Bond fans who just wanted to explore fun ‘what if’ scenarios. Very few creators get this kind of opportunity to play with a beloved franchise like this, and when it comes to Bond games, IO has truly set the standard.

VGC – 5/5

According to Jordan Middler, 007 First Light could be the greatest James Bond video game ever created. IOI has brilliantly captured the essence of Bond in this expansive, 14-hour adventure that takes you around the world. The game perfectly blends excitement, comedy, thrilling action, and romance – everything you’d expect from a James Bond experience. Middler urges Amazon, the new owners of the Bond franchise, to keep this momentum going.

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But Why Tho? – 9/10

Matt Sowinski praises IO Interactive’s take on James Bond, calling 007 First Light a surprisingly excellent game. He highlights the gripping story, precise shooting, effective hand-to-hand combat, and richly detailed, open-ended levels.

Eurogamer – 4/5

Rick Lane praises First Light for its perfect timing – knowing precisely when to be humorous, dramatic, or focus on character development. He believes it successfully captures the spirit of classic Bond films, and maintains this quality consistently over a much longer runtime. Ultimately, he finds the game convincing in its decision to present a unique interpretation of Bond, distinct from previous portrayals.

Gamespot – 8/10

IO Interactive’s new James Bond game feels surprisingly similar to their ‘Hitman’ series, though it’s not a simple re-skin. As a long-time ‘Hitman’ fan, it’s interesting to see IO use their experience and successfully blend familiar elements with new ideas, keeping what works and discarding what doesn’t in this reimagining of the 007 world.

IGN – Review in progress

Luke Reilly praised 007 First Light, calling it a fantastic start and already declaring it the best Bond game since GoldenEye.

And we’ve got even more pages for you to peruse below.

  • Patrick Gibson interview: 007 First Light star reveals how he “manifested” role
  • David Arnold interview: Bond music legend talks Lana Del Rey
  • 007 First Light missions: Full list of chapters
  • Is 007 First Light on Xbox Game Pass?

Authors

Echo ApseyContributor

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2026-05-27 17:04