James Bond can already be seen as a kind of mythological figure, so deeply embedded is he in the collective consciousness. His stories span generations: from the original books written by Ian Fleming, beginning in 1953; through multiple cinematic eras with different actors in the role, such as Sean Connery and Daniel Craig; not to mention more than 30 games released over a period of 40 years.

So how did IO Interactive, the same studio behind the Hitman series, choose to tackle such an iconic character in its newest game, 007 First Light? With great respect for his legacy, crafting a game that delivers everything we love about the agent with a license to kill.

Everything the franchise is known for is here: spy gadgets, globe-trotting locations, chases, shootouts, charm, humor, and even megalomaniacal villains. First Light embraces everything that defines Bond and his adventures, even the most outrageous parts of them — but it does so with measured pacing.

The story tells how our charming agent entered the world of British espionage. From his training as he tries to earn a place in MI6, the Crown’s intelligence service, to the end of his first major mission. As a result, First Light gives us one of the youngest James Bonds we’ve ever seen, full of energy, sarcasm, and rebelliousness.

Right in the prologue, everything we need to know about our protagonist is revealed, especially his tendency to attempt the impossible in order to save others, a crucial trait that catches the attention of M, the head of MI6. His convictions are constantly tested throughout the narrative, but sharing any more details about the story would be a major spoiler, so I’ll stop here.

Each of the series’ main supporting characters is present, such as Q, Moneypenny, and the already mentioned M — however, there’s much more to First Light. We’re introduced to six other characters, James’s fellow trainees in the program to become 00 agents, as well as his new mentor, Greenway.

Bond’s relationship with the entire cast is developed masterfully, creating excellent moments that shape the character in his first adventure in this universe. Greenway is by far the best of the new cast. Carrying a wealth of experience and a distaste for the protagonist’s flair, the dynamic between the two is perfect.

None of this would work without the excellent performances from the cast — and the mastery IO Interactive shows in building this story. All ten chapters of the game deliver a complete package: a strong introduction, interesting developments, and adrenaline-fueled climaxes.

007 First Light is one of the most cinematic games I’ve ever seen, and that’s clear right from the start. The gameplay formula the developers found, simple at its core but with plenty of depth, fits perfectly with the scope of the situations the game presents. There are moments of pure tension and others that left me impressed by their inventiveness and direction.

When, early in the prologue, a training sequence begins, covering several months in a fast-paced and fully playable montage that teaches both Bond and the player how to be a 00 agent, all I could do was applaud: “This is video games,” I said out loud. That segment alone shows IO Interactive’s total command over both the story and the gameplay — not to mention how beautiful everything looks.

• 007 First Light gets off to a great start on Metacritic; see the score

There are many ways to play First Light. As in the studio’s previous games, the player is presented with different approaches during missions. Want to try getting through completely unnoticed? No problem. Prefer to steamroll your way through and take down every enemy? Be my guest.

The only limitation the game imposes is on killing. That option only becomes available when someone shows murderous intent toward Bond — until then, the player can only knock enemies unconscious. Still, this never feels restrictive, both because it’s presented to the player naturally and because it represents only a small part of what the game has to offer.

The importance of this choice in approach is highlighted during reconnaissance sequences. When Bond doesn’t have a clear idea of what to do, he can look for clues around the map, which become available in the menu once found, with an average of three different types per mission.

You can find them by overhearing conversations, observing something in the environment, or interacting with notes. This makes the idea of replaying the campaign especially interesting, since in one run you might infiltrate as a photographer by stealing someone else’s camera, while in another you might discover a route through the pipes after overhearing a conversation at the bar — but the different options the game offers don’t stop there, because it also introduces a variety of spy gadgets.

In nearly every mission, James has the Q-Lenses, which highlight enemies and interactive objects in the environment. However, it’s in his special watch and other tools that we find the best of the trade.

Lasers that blind enemies and open locks; hacking tools; earbuds that work like concussion grenades; among others. There are seven different gadgets that can be equipped across up to four available slots per mission, each offering a different approach.

The range of possibilities also extends to combat. Shooting enemies in the hand to disarm them; shoulder-checking them to throw them off balance and slowing down time to line up a headshot — these are just some of the options available to the player when everything goes sideways. When you combine all of that with the gadgets, you get gameplay rich in possibilities that remains engaging both in stealth sections and in shootouts.

007 First Light also features TecSim mode, a mission simulator for those who want more from the game beyond testing their skills in the story. There’s a good variety of encounters set across the game’s different maps, along with a scoring system featuring worldwide leaderboards and a shop where you can buy skins, weapons, and gadgets.

The sum of everything this game gets right overshadows what is, to me, its only flaw: repetition. By the midpoint of the story, the pattern between missions becomes clear, making some segments feel like tedious homework, necessary to later earn a reward if done well — but that reward is so satisfying that you quickly forget about it.

It was impossible to look away from the screen during my 15 hours with the game. 007 First Light delivers everything anyone could want from a game about the most charming secret agent in history. Whether you’re a fan of the franchise or simply a lover of action games, there’s a lot to enjoy here. IO Interactive has put together a complete package that already has a secure place in Bond history… James Bond.

007 First Light

007 First Light

27 maio 2026

Espionagem, Ação, Stealth

Developer: IO Interactive

Publisher: IO Interactive

Rating: 16 years

Platforms: PC , PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series X|S

Tested on: PlayStation 5