007 First Light Review — Full Game Review and Verdict
Updated 2026-06-02
007 First Light is IO Interactive's first entry in the James Bond franchise, and it lands with the confidence of a studio that has spent years perfecting social stealth and level design. The game succeeds as both a Bond origin story and a stealth-action hybrid, though it carries some baggage from its Hitman DNA. This 007 First Light review covers every aspect of the experience — gameplay, story, presentation, and replayability — to give you a clear verdict before you buy.
Score breakdown
| Category | Score /10 | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Gameplay | 8 | Stealth systems are deep and satisfying. Combat is competent but not exceptional. |
| Story | 9 | Well-written origin narrative with strong voice performances and genuine emotional stakes. |
| Graphics | 8 | Glacier engine delivers detailed environments with solid performance on all platforms. |
| Audio | 9 | Superb soundtrack, crisp sound design, and excellent voice acting across the board. |
| Replayability | 8 | Ghost rating chasing and leaderboards add life, but lack of co-op in main campaign is a missed opportunity. |
| Overall | 8.5 | A confident, stylish Bond debut that sets a strong foundation for the series. |
The verdict
007 First Light earns strong marks across the board. The stealth gameplay is the best in any Bond game, the story respects the character's legacy while forging its own path, and the presentation is polished from menu to credits. The combat is merely good rather than great, and the campaign's back half leans too heavily on infiltration-into-compound structure. But these are minor complaints against a game that understands what makes Bond compelling: the man, the suit, the gadgets, and the choices he makes under pressure.
Who should buy 007 First Light
Buy 007 First Light if you enjoy stealth games, spy fiction, or Hitman-style level design. Skip it if you only want pure combat action or have no patience for trial-and-error stealth sections. Game Pass subscribers should absolutely try it — the first two hours give a clear picture of the quality. Bond fans who have waited years for a proper 007 game will find this 007 First Light review confirms their hopes: IO Interactive delivered.
FAQ
- What is the overall score of 007 First Light?
- We rate 007 First Light an 8.5 out of 10. It excels in stealth, story, and presentation while falling slightly short in combat depth and mission variety in the later stages.
- How long is 007 First Light?
- The main campaign takes 10 to 14 hours depending on playstyle. Ghost rating completions and optional exploration push that to 18 to 22 hours for a full playthrough.