007 First Light: Hitman Meets Bond? A Letdown by IO Interactive (Kotaku Review)

007 First Light: Hitman with Bond? Kotaku reviews a hybrid that doesn’t deliver on its promises

Marketing boards don’t lie: 007 First Light by IO Interactive was supposed to be a groundbreaking game for the Bond series. We were promised a hybrid combining spy craft with dynamic action, served as an interactive film. Unfortunately, as Kotaku’s review shows, the promises proved too ambitious.

At first, 007 First Light impresses. The initial level in the hotel is a true masterpiece: open space, multiple paths, stealth elements, and room for improvisation. It suggests the game could be an intelligent blend of Hitman and Metal Gear Solid. Unfortunately, the following hours show that this beginning is just a fleeting glimmer.

What went wrong?

The game fails to maintain pace or consistency. The main plot is weak, and the developed mechanics only begin to develop in the final acts. IO Interactive, known for their deep, systemic games like Hitman, decided instead of relying on their strengths, to mimic other genres – the result is a hybrid that doesn’t fully satisfy anyone.

The biggest criticism is indecision. 007 First Light tries to be simultaneously: a stealth game, a brawler, a shooter, an adventure game – but it doesn’t master any of these genres well. As a result, the game looks like a collection of different modes and mini-games that don’t always mesh. This is especially painful when you remember what this developer is capable of.

Here are the key issues identified by reviewers:

• Plot full of gaps and ambiguities – the script looks like it was written by several people who didn’t communicate with each other.
• Antagonists are caricatures – villains lack depth, and their motivations are stereotypical.
• Failed attempts at humor – dialogues sometimes feel like they were taken from a bad TV series.
• Melee combat system – initially tedious, only starts working towards the end.
• Mission structure – main tasks are too long, and Bond receives his abilities and gadgets with delay.

What’s really good?

Not everything is lost. There are moments when 007 First Light really works: when Bond is agile, when stealth appears alongside shooting, when you can improvise. The mechanics start to flourish when Bond gets a full set of tools and skills. There are sequences where improvisation and combining gadgets genuinely bring joy. Unfortunately, those moments are too rare.

Visually, the game looks decent, but it’s not revolutionary. On PS5 and Xbox Series X, it runs stably, but it lacks that "wow" factor. Worse still, the PC version may not appear before 2027.

Summary

007 First Light is a game that had the chance to change the face of the Bond series, but failed. Despite ambitious beginnings, the game sinks into indecision and shortcomings. The biggest problem is trying to please everyone at once – the final effect is chaotic. It’s another example of how a big budget and ambition don’t always go hand in hand with quality.

Ultimately, 007 First Light feels like a studio trying to do everything at once, but without enough resources or time to refine it. Perhaps one day IO Interactive will decide to create a game that truly captures the spirit of James Bond – aware of the risks, elegant, but not devoid of human flaws. Until then, First Light will remain a memento from a trip to the land of great expectations and smaller results.

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