Reviews are now out for IO Interactive’s “007: First Light” game, and the title is looking to be one of the year’s most well-received games.
Though they may not have won Game of the Year awards, IO Interactive’s “Hitman” World of Assassination trilogy were very well reviewed, peaking with 2021’s “Hitman 3” nabbing a stellar 87/100 on Metacritic.
Five years on, the developer returns with its new young James Bond game, which blends the “Hitman” formula with elements of “Batman: Arkham Asylum” and “Uncharted – and the result is the best score to date for the developer.
With 36 reviews counted, the title sits at an 88/100 on Metacritic. That’s the third highest major title of the year so far, behind only “Forza Horizon 6” (91) and “Resident Evil Requiem” (89). It’s also the fifth highest overall behind two other indie games – “Mewgenics” and “Pokemon Pokopia” (both 89) – and ahead of sixth place “Saros” (87).
In fact of those 36 reviews, there are no negatives and only one mixed at 7/10 and even that calls it “the best James Bond game ever made” while criticising it for not taking enough risks.
Here’s a sampling of reviews:
“007 First Light has everything it takes to become a brilliant franchise: presence, gameplay, its own distinct style, and above all, a well-crafted narrative that elevates the James Bond iconography.” – ElDesMarque
“James Bond is back, in his best, most polished, and most immersive form yet—and all without relying on an existing movie, instead rewriting his history and origins. The visual experience is mind-blowing, the game is technically top-notch, and the gameplay is so addictive that you’ll go back for more without a second thought.” – IGN France
“007 First Light is all things a Bond game should be. It’s exciting, unpredictable, and delivers a jet-setting adventure full of that hallmark intrigue. As a spy game, it’s expectedly solid. But as an action game, it’s somehow even better as IOI declare themselves the go-to for spy thrillers, and Patrick Gibson, in a time where new blood is badly required, declares himself Bond, James Bond.” – Press Start Australia
“With this origin story, the new James has earned his number. Despite my affection for GoldenEye, the charms of this revamped spy are irresistible. First Light is the finest Bond experience ever seen in a video game—polished, true to the character’s essence, modernized, and incredibly fun to play. 007 is ready for duty.” – Hobby Consolas
“007 First Light has everything you could want from a Bond game: fist fights, shootouts, epic set-pieces, car chases, subterfuge, and more. There are some minor issues, such as the game’s cover system being a little finicky at times, but on the whole this is a must-play for Bond fans as well as those who simply enjoy a good action game.” – GameSpew
“007 First Light has plenty of hits and plenty of misses. In answer to the question earlier, there is enough in this game to give you confidence in IO Interactive and its broader vision for this style of a James Bond game, with plenty of ambition and quality oozing out of every crack. But there is clear room for improvement too.” – Game Reactor
“007 First Light is the game we have been waiting for from the world’s most famous agent since the infamous 007 Legends. It is a title that blends the open-level design of Hitman, the frantic gameplay of Uncharted, and the ‘World of Espionage’ of James Bond. IOI delivers a production worthy of the character with a high level of detail and memorable nods. Although it could have been better graphically, at least it remains stable.” – GamersRD
“007: First Light” deluxe edition owners get 24-hour early access today, with the game set to launch everywhere tomorrow.
