In 007 First Light, Bond’s Bluffs Become His Ultimate Weapon

Rob Minkley from Crux magazine has embarked on an intriguing interview with Sir Nicholas Webb, while rummaging through security office drawers. John Fisher, the museum curator, meticulously inspects a priceless artifact for any signs of wear. Meanwhile, Fletcher from operations is on the lookout for a disgruntled employee. And here I am, posing as a lab technician who lost his coat, a bewildered tourist, or an innocent bystander who stumbled upon an armed man lying unconscious on the floor – no, the imprint of my fist isn’t visible on his face. I swear. In 007 First Light, the extraordinary talent of James Bond is nothing short of sheer nonsense. Unlike Agent 47 from the Hitman series, Bond doesn't require a disguise. With just a press of a button, he fabricates a story so outrageous that it confounds anyone nearby, granting him a precious thirty seconds of unobstructed movement in restricted zones. This allows players to advance toward objectives smoothly or, as I often prefer, eliminate foes amidst the chaos of confusion. While it’s possible to ignore this bluffing feature and still complete the campaign, doing so would be a mistake. It serves as more than just a humorous gimmick; it embodies the playful spirit of the entire game. This portrayal of Bond is not that of a seasoned manipulator, but rather a younger, more audacious version who is aware he can say almost anything, no matter how absurd, as long as he delivers it with charm and confidence. The writers at IO Interactive clearly relish this opportunity, with lines like, "Wait a minute, this isn’t my apartment," uttered in a mock-confused tone to a group of heavily armed thugs patrolling dilapidated structures in a makeshift desert locale. The mechanics of the bluffing feature are equally enjoyable. 007 First Light introduces a resource called instinct, which creates an exciting tension that demands players engage aggressively, resulting in a thrilling back-and-forth pace as you switch between takedowns and storytelling. Each bluff consumes three instinct points from a maximum of six, which can get depleted quickly. While you can find standard pickups for gadgets throughout the levels, the most effective way to replenish instinct lies in aggressive actions. Takedowns yield one instinct point, and though using gadgets can work, it’s usually noisier and depletes other resources. Opting for a stealthy approach, like silently incapacitating an enemy, is both efficient and free. This gameplay loop is incredibly satisfying. The missions are characterized by a lively rhythm, allowing players to fluidly alternate between stealthy takedowns and audacious bluffs. Typically, I approach the stealth segments with a full instinct bar and start by bluffing my way through the first area. As I advance to the next room, I switch to silence. If I’m caught, I know I have enough instinct to talk my way out of it, serving as a type of safety net. However, my goal is to dart between cover, stealthily removing enemies one by one. If necessary, I’ll activate a vacuum cleaner or sabotage an air-conditioning unit to divert an enemy’s attention, swiftly taking them down as they investigate. In these moments, the game feels reminiscent of Hitman. Once my instinct meter is replenished, I confidently stride toward another group of foes, spinning yet another outrageous tale – "I’m just here to fix a boat, grabbing some parts on my way!" Every quip offers a delightful reward after navigating tense moments. With this mindset, enemies become mere playthings for Bond. They can either be duped by his improbable narratives or silently eliminated, setting the stage for further deception. The most gratifying sequences allow players to execute both strategies: bluffing then dispatching foes. Fooling enemies transforms an area into a safe zone where Bond can roam freely. This opens up new tactical opportunities. If you eliminate those same enemies swiftly, you can regenerate the instinct used for the bluff, effectively moving to the next section with a recharged meter. For instance, I managed to bluff three thugs in a desert town, which allowed me to ascend a ladder and utilize my gadgets from above, finishing the last one off with a dramatic flying punch. Being mindful of your position while bluffing is crucial. You can only deceive those within earshot, but by moving while you speak, you can lure additional enemies into your web of lies. The more foes you manage to fool, the more freedom you gain. Challenging myself to trick as many enemies as possible in one go has become an enjoyable pursuit (my record stands at five). However, Watchers, marked by a white circle above them, cannot be bluffed, nor can their nearby allies. They introduce a fresh type of puzzle, requiring careful planning to eliminate them without raising alarms. In an early scenario, I entered the basement laundry room of an elegant Slovakian hotel. A watcher and a standard enemy were blocking my way, while another group guarded my target. I had multiple approaches, including combat, luring enemies, or depleting my gadgets to stun them. Instead, I opted to kick a laundry cart toward the standard enemy, crushing him and startling the watcher, who rushed to investigate. I quietly maneuvered around a pillar, subdued him, and strolled into the next room, where no one was clever enough to thwart my ruse. "Burton, hotel security. Any reports of pickpockets in this vicinity?" Taking out a watcher is usually straightforward, and my preferred gadget is the flash mine, which delivers a one-hit knockout. I find it amusing to emerge from cover right after it detonates and launch into a bluff: "I scared off the man who attacked him – a chap in a green beret!" However, some areas feature multiple watchers. These encounters, rather than boss battles, represent the real challenge of First Light. Navigating around their periphery to find a suitable tactic often requires utilizing your entire arsenal of gadgets to draw each watcher away from their companions. In the security office where I masqueraded as a journalist, I encountered two groups of watchers patrolling separate areas. I failed numerous times, triggering concussive fistfights in First Light. In some ways, these confrontations are rewarding in their own right – hurling a bottle at a watcher and then slamming their head into a bookcase is just as satisfying as a stealth takedown. Nevertheless, I often restarted the encounters, eager to hear what story Bond could have crafted had he been given the chance. 007 First Light offers numerous bluffing opportunities, with several stealth segments in each chapter, though I find myself wishing for even more. While most missions include unavoidable firefights, the shooting mechanics feel somewhat disjointed. Although the gunplay is decent, the relentless barrage of bullets can create a chaotic environment. More than once, I’ve cleared an area only to discover my path blocked because I hadn’t eliminated every last enemy, necessitating a backtrack to locate that one machine-gunner hiding away in a distant corner. I would have preferred less of the marksman aspect of Bond and more of the sharp-tongued, brash version. After all, there are superior third-person shooters available, but none can compete with a game where you can casually stroll toward enemies clad in a turtleneck and collared jacket, asking, "Oi, you lads got a faulty coffee machine?"