If I’m being sincere, I need to say that I didn’t precisely love the method that the final run of Bond movies wrapped up. To be clear, I’m not down on Daniel Craig. In reality, like many followers, I’m of the opinion that he is the greatest to ever take the function – however there’s no query that his five-film run as 007 had extra ups and downs than an Aston Martin’s ejector seat. On line casino Royale and Skyfall are absolutely two of the best entries in the whole 60-year canon, however Quantum of Solace was undercooked, Spectre was one Fats Bastard away from being an Austin Powers-style parody, and though No Time to Die course-corrected to some extent, its bloated size and bleak tone has meant that I haven’t felt the must return to it since its 2021 launch. No Time to Die? Extra like no time to rewatch.
After a three-hour hands-on with 007 First Light at a latest BiliBili: First Look occasion in Shanghai, my largest takeaway from IO Interactive’s upcoming spin on Ian Fleming’s superspy collection is that it feels like the contemporary begin that Bond followers deserve. We’re now 5 years on from the denouement of the Daniel Craig saga, and with valuable few confirmed particulars surrounding the subsequent massive display screen outing for Bond moreover the welcome hiring of Dune director Denis Villeneuve, it seems unlikely we’ll be getting a brand new Bond film for an additional two years no less than. That might properly find yourself being the longest break between Bond films in the collection’ historical past. Thus the imminent launch of 007 First Light couldn’t be higher timed, and I’m happy to say that from what I’ve performed thus far I couldn’t think about a greater method to break the massive Bond drought.
In fact, if we’re speaking Bond video games the watch for a brand new launch has been exponentially longer and, given the final Bond recreation was the totally dreadful 007 Legends in 2012, the watch for a good Bond recreation has been even longer nonetheless. Now with IO Interactive, it feels like we’re lastly again in protected fingers. With its Hitman collection, the Danish developer has roughly been making James Bond video games in all however title for properly over 20 years at this level, and its experience in stealth and subterfuge actually appears extra tailormade for 007 than a Tom Ford swimsuit. From the books to the massive display screen, the staff’s love and respect for the supply materials is evident in First Light, and it pays cautious homage to the character’s origins – resembling the method its fresh-faced Bond good points a everlasting scar in the story’s opening mission, a lot like the one described in Ian Fleming’s first novel however by no means portrayed in the movies.
At the similar time, IO is demonstrating appreciable restraint in order to not be too slavish to the collection’ signature hallmarks. You received’t hear Monty Norman’s iconic Bond theme rattled out throughout every shootout like so many Bond video games of yesteryear. As a substitute it’s held again to correctly punctuate his most outrageous stunts, like when he slips behind the wheel of a rubbish truck at the finish of the story’s Kensington mission to barrel via a sequence of unexpectedly improvised roadblocks. That measured musical method makes all of it the extra exhilarating when these iconic orchestral horns ultimately kick in.
Quantum of Solace
I additionally respect that IO is placing simply as a lot effort into constructing the world round Bond as it’s into often blowing it up. Although the Kensington mission surges from a panoramic sniper battle, to a basement stage boss struggle, and Bond’s eventual belligerent escape via crush hour visitors, it begins comparatively sedately with 007’s return to the condo he shares with two different younger MI6 operatives. Since I’d simply taken a number of runs via First Light’s coaching course in Malta, all of which started with stealthy intentions however inevitably devolved into scrambling Uncharted-style firefights, I appreciated the alternative for a little bit of a breather in Bond’s humble dwellings earlier than the gun and gadget-based carnage continued.
There are numerous cute touches to pore over right here. An unfinished recreation of hangman sits on the kitchen desk, seemingly spelling out the phrases ‘Poison Tip Umbrella’. On Bond’s bed room bookshelf are manuals about tying nautical knots presumably from his naval days, in addition to a guide on ornithology, making it clear that he’s been an avid ‘bird-watcher’ from the starting. There’s additionally a photograph of a younger Bond together with his dad and mom and a silver brooch left by his late mom to review up shut. I can’t actually recall a earlier Bond recreation that has taken the time to flesh out 007’s character to this extent and, though it might sound considerably minor in the scheme of issues, I genuinely loved these small touches simply as a lot as the ensuing over-the-top motion spectacle. You’ll be able to even cease to combine your self a cocktail at the drinks cupboard.
The numerous tiny but very important particulars like this actually helped me to shortly purchase into this new Bond, as did the drama of the opening naval mission in Iceland that goes awry and lays the platform for his recruitment into MI6. IO’s resolution to make this an origin story for the youngest-ever Bond – not counting James Bond Jr, due to course I’m not – means that every part that would in any other case come throughout as a drained trope is as a substitute introduced in a contemporary gentle, or certainly a First Light.
We get to expertise the depth and hesitance of Bond’s first kill, the first time that he charms his method into a personal celebration, and the first time he absently sips from a poisoned glass of champagne as a result of he’s too distracted by a brand new feminine buddy. That then results in Bond’s first chairbound interrogation that makes use of a nifty provoke and stall minigame to create a stage of stress very a lot on par with the not-so-friendly non-public chat with Le Chiffre in On line casino Royale – mercifully minus the wince-inducing knotted-rope whacks to Bond’s dangling double-Os. All of it feels solely new to the character, strengthened by a efficiency from actor Patrick Gibson that has the cocky confidence of youth however maybe not all of the knowledge of expertise.
Stay and Let Die
I received’t faux that I’m enamoured with completely each facet of First Light, nonetheless. For starters, I’m not utterly satisfied by its melee fight. It’s tough and tumble as correct Bond fisticuffs needs to be, and I really like the method that throughout a scrap you possibly can seize something inside attain to crack over an assailant’s cranium – whether or not its bottles and cups from the countertop in Bond’s kitchen condo, or pool balls from the breakout space in the artwork museum’s safety wing. However it additionally feels considerably unfastened and clumsy at occasions, particularly in opposition to a number of foes. Though I would get used to it with a bit extra apply, I undoubtedly struggled to get right into a constant groove with Bond’s brawling versus easily headshotting henchmen or triggering environmental hazards with the Q-watch, each of which I felt comfy with nearly instantly.
Talking of the devices, it additionally strikes me as being just a little bit stingy that you solely get just a few makes use of out of the high-tech instruments equipped by Q Department earlier than it’s essential manually recharge them. Bond’s Q-watch can be utilized to briefly blind guards with the zap of a laser, or to drop chandeliers from the ceiling with a purpose to lure them away from their put up, however the use of every sneaky ability ends in a considerable hit to Bond’s watch battery. I can perceive the must put restrictions on the participant so that they’re not always triggering technological traps like they’re Dwelling Alone in an Apple Retailer, besides it does really feel just a little bit videogame-y to often cease what you’re doing with a purpose to rummage round for conspicuously positioned automotive batteries in an try to scrounge up some juice. Bond’s devices ought to really feel leading edge, not like they’ve all the battery stamina of a five-year-old iPhone you retain in your desk drawer on the off likelihood your new one is misplaced. A easy cooldown timer could properly have sufficed.
Nonetheless, a lot like the scar on Bond’s cheek these small blemishes don’t actually detract from the general enchantment of First Light and, in contrast to his power-hungry devices, I’ve come away from my hands-on utterly energised and desperately eager to see extra. I can’t wait to see how the mischievous sense of humour often on show in IO Interactive’s Hitman video games interprets to a probably calamitous tour of MI6’s Q department. I’m dying to get behind the wheel of the new Aston Martin Valhalla, which is a hybrid for the first time in the collection as a result of apparently even superspies aren’t resistant to the present oil disaster. I additionally couldn’t assist however discover that the signature gun barrel graphic was conspicuously absent from First Light’s opening, which makes me surprise precisely which main second on this origin story is such an iconic sequence being saved for?
We’ll get solutions quickly sufficient, since 007 First Light is about to reach on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Sequence X|S on Might twenty seventh, with a Change 2 model set to launch someday later in the yr. It’s been a very long time between drinks for followers of James Bond videogames, however from what I’ve seen thus far this one is about to go down extra easily than a freshly shaken martini.
Need extra hands-on impressions of 007 First Light? Make sure you try Alessandro Fillari’s latest preview based mostly off the similar demo I performed right here.
Tristan Ogilvie is a senior video editor at IGN’s Sydney workplace. He traveled to the BiliBili: First Look occasion as a visitor of the organisers.