Review in Progress: 007 First Light (PS5) – James Bond’s Origin Adventure Is Highly Entertaining

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James Bond is arguably one of the most recognizable fictional characters ever – which is quite a statement considering he’s a spy!

Man, this character is everywhere. I’ve seen him in books, movies, games, magazines – you name it. It feels like everyone knows him and the world he lives in. It’s seriously become a huge part of pop culture, and I get why – it’s just so recognizable!

IO Interactive took a real risk by creating the first big James Bond game in over ten years, and they didn’t just make a typical Bond game – they offered a fresh, new perspective on the famous character.

I haven’t completed GoldenEye 007: First Light, but so far it seems the developers have successfully captured the spirit of the original game while also adding their own unique style.

People often describe this game as a blend of Uncharted and Hitman, and that’s a really accurate comparison. For the first ten hours or so, it feels more like an Uncharted game.

007 First Light is an action-packed adventure game that follows a young James Bond as he starts his career with MI6, taking him on missions around the world.

When the helicopter he was flying in crashes in Iceland, his career as a Royal Navy air crewman is over, and he starts a new life as a secret agent.

The game starts with Bond’s introduction to the world of spying, beginning with meetings at MI6 headquarters with characters M and Q. This is followed by an engaging training sequence, shown in a fast-paced montage style, that takes place in Malta, and all of this takes up a significant portion of the game’s early hours.

Players need some time to learn the somewhat complicated controls. Once they’ve collected all their gear and weapons, every button on the DualSense controller is used.

Beyond that, the initial chapters are crucial for introducing this reimagined Bond and the supporting characters – both familiar faces and new additions – who populate his world.

James quickly moves through the 00 agent training program, where he needs to prove himself to his classmates, Cressida and Monroe. The three young trainees become close friends, but their instructor, John Greenway – a former 00 agent – is a strict and demanding figure who doesn’t appreciate James’s independent attitude.

The movie features interesting new takes on classic characters like M, Q, and Moneypenny, and the cast works really well together. IOI has clearly put a lot of effort into developing its characters.

Okay, so James Bond was the most important part to nail, and I think the developers really did. This Bond is new, still figuring things out – he’s impulsive, a bit of a risk-taker, and definitely headstrong. But as the game progresses, you start to see that classic Bond charm, quick wit, and cleverness shine through. It’s a really cool evolution of the character.

The game’s story is solid and enjoyable, though some parts might be easy to guess. Overall, it’s a fun action adventure that takes you to some fantastic places.

The game features locations from the chess tournament in Slovakia, as well as diverse places like London, Mauritania, and Vietnam. Drawing on the team’s experience with the Hitman series, each environment is beautifully rendered and full of intricate details.

Honestly, when I’m playing, I really prefer the chapters where I can just roam around and figure things out myself. I don’t want to keep comparing everything to Hitman, but that game really shines when it lets you approach a mission in tons of different ways. It’s just so much more fun when I’m not railroaded and can explore and experiment!

This game feels perfect for James Bond – he’s resourceful, finding multiple ways to achieve his goals, and he’s a master of talking his way out of difficult situations without raising alarms. I especially love the bluffing element, as it really captures Bond’s charming and persuasive personality.

The game gives you plenty of tools and ways to complete missions, letting you choose a stealthy approach or a more direct one. If you’re discovered, you can handle enemies using gadgets or fight them directly, and as long as you’re quick and effective, you can usually recover without things getting too chaotic.

The hand-to-hand combat isn’t overly complex, but you’ll need to block attacks and dodge grabs. There are also lots of ways to take enemies down depending on your surroundings. For example, knocking someone into a railing will send them tumbling over the edge – it’s a little over-the-top, but it adds to the exciting, James Bond-style atmosphere.

Sometimes, the game lets you eliminate enemies with firearms, usually when they’re already attacking you. These gunfights feel a bit staged, but they don’t happen too often. Allowing players to instantly pull out a silenced weapon and take down anyone would ruin the game’s unique feel and rhythm.

Okay, so the combat can get really hectic. There are just waves of enemies coming at you, and honestly, sometimes it feels like the only way to survive is to just blow everything up! I had a tough time with a couple of those fights, mostly because it felt like I had to be constantly on the move and change my strategy or I’d get overwhelmed.

The driving sections in 007 First Light feel more artificial than the action, and they’re the least enjoyable part of the game so far. I’ve spent a good amount of time playing, but haven’t driven much, and when I have, it hasn’t often been in exciting chases.

The game features many different vehicles, but the sports cars can be tricky to control. They seem to prioritize being easy to handle, which actually makes them feel a bit loose and less responsive than expected – almost like you’re on a fixed track.

Going into my playthrough of 007 First Light, my biggest worry was how well it would run. I’m playing on a standard PS5, mostly using Performance mode, and while the game looks great at times, it’s not always perfectly sharp.

I’ve noticed occasional dips in the game’s frame rate, though it generally runs smoothly at 60 frames per second. These drops happen mostly during very busy action sequences, like intense firefights. It’s not a major issue, but it is a little disappointing.

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2026-05-26 15:08