007 First Light: 10 Tips and Tricks We Wish We Knew Sooner

by

IO Interactive has truly impressed James Bond fans with their new game, 007 First Light, which many are calling the best Bond game in decades – possibly ever. Remarkably, it’s built using the same engine as the Hitman games. While it’s not the most complicated game you’ll play this year, 007 First Light offers a surprising level of strategic gameplay.

At first glance, 007 First Light seems like a standard action-adventure game. However, once you start using its gadgets and stealth features, you’ll discover a lot of gameplay options the developers don’t explicitly explain. Here are some tips we wish we’d known sooner.

10. The Tacsim Courses Should Not Be Ignored

A Class Above

The beginning of 007 First Light acts as a natural, extended tutorial, showing Bond undergoing training to earn his 00 agent status. This introductory sequence smoothly teaches you the fundamentals of fighting and shooting, but it only provides a brief overview of everything the game has to offer.

If you’re playing on an easier difficulty, you don’t really need to interact with Gemma Chan’s character. But if you want to master the combat system and feel like a skilled spy like James Bond – learning things like powerful melee attacks and when to use your gadgets – then those training sequences are definitely worth doing.

9. Don’t Just Throw Hands, Throw Everything

Ran out of Ammo? Toss a Stapler!

When you’re surrounded by enemies, the game helpfully showing you can throw nearby objects is a lifesaver. Even if it doesn’t do much damage, it gives you a quick moment to catch your breath and decide what to do next. I used that throwing ability – with everything from wrenches to bottles – constantly throughout the game, and it saved me more times than I can remember.

It’s even easier to take out an enemy if they’re near a ledge and you have something to throw. They don’t have to be right at the edge—even a few feet away, a hit to the head with a bottle or other throwable will send them tumbling over.

8. Bluffing Can Be Just as Powerful as Stealth

Gaslighting Guards Is a Legitimate Strategy

Okay, so if you’re like me and grew up sneaking around in games like Metal Gear Solid or Splinter Cell, you probably automatically went into 007 First Light trying to be super careful, avoiding detection at all costs. But honestly? I was making things way harder on myself than they needed to be! This game is actually a lot more forgiving than I thought, you don’t fail instantly if someone spots you.

Generally, if you’re caught in a restricted area, acting calm and pretending you belong there is enough to avoid trouble. As long as you don’t stay too long, you can usually get what you came for and leave without causing a scene.

7. Not All Distractions Are Made Equal

Loud Noises

You might assume the distractions in 007 First Light work the same way on all enemies, but that’s not true. Different enemies react differently, depending on the type of distraction you use.

Simple tricks like remotely controlling a camera won’t be enough to distract a guard at a secure entrance. You need a bigger, more noticeable distraction – something like setting off a fire alarm or lighting a trash can on fire, which will draw multiple characters to investigate.

6. Disguises Are Easy to Miss

Fake It Until You Make It

Unlike in the Hitman games, disguises in 007 First Light aren’t always reliable. But when they do work, they can really speed things up and make the game easier, so it’s worth looking for opportunities to use them.

Forget about elaborate disguises like knocking out guards and stealing their clothes. Instead, expect to find simpler costume pieces scattered around – things like a hat on a table – that you can pick up and use to blend in if you choose.

5. Use Your Environment in a Shootout

Shoot First, Ask Why It Exploded Later

I won’t insult anyone by pointing out obvious targets – like that huge, glowing tank right behind the enemies in most video game fights. If you haven’t played much of 007 First Light, though, you might need a hint about how to defeat those bad guys!

In First Light, gunfights aren’t just about shooting enemies – they’re built around the surroundings. Often, the best (and sometimes only) way to win without losing health or wasting ammunition is to target flammable objects in the environment.

4. Brute Enemies Require a Different Approach

The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall

Besides regular enemies, 007 First Light includes powerful brutes that you’ll need to fight up close. Trying to fight them directly will usually result in Bond getting defeated.

Okay, so I’ve figured out the fastest way to take down these enemies. As soon as I see one coming at me, I lead with that charged attack we learn in Malta early on. Then, while they’re still reeling, I hit them with it again. After that, I tap the right trigger to start a grapple and get in a few free hits. If I do that combo, a couple more punches usually pops up the finisher prompt, letting me take them down for good.

3. There Is No Need to Hoard Your Gadget Energy

Go-go Gadget!

Many players, myself included, tend to hoard powerful attacks in video games, rarely using them. But in 007 First Light, there’s no need to do that. You can freely use your gadgets because it’s easy to recharge their energy.

I often finished battles or missions only to realize I hadn’t really used my gadgets! Learn from my mistake: take advantage of all the tools available to you, and don’t hesitate to use them often.

2. You Don’t Need to Be Online

Play the Old-Fashioned Way

The online features in 007 First Light aren’t very clear about what they offer. Despite promising to enhance the game, you don’t actually need an internet connection to enjoy playing 007 First Light.

Subscribe for deeper 007 First Light tips and insights

Unlock more hands-on 007 First Light tactics by subscribing to the newsletter. Receive detailed gadget guides, stealth and combat strategies, environmental tricks, and practical sequences that deepen your understanding and improve in-game choices.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

If you’re only interested in playing the core game and don’t care about things like online scores, challenges, or extra rewards, you won’t need an internet connection. Your progress in the main story is saved on your device, so you can play offline without any issues.

1. Don’t Waste Time When Your Gun Runs Dry

An Empty Weapon Is Still a Weapon

In the fast-paced action of 007 First Light, you’ll quickly find yourself needing more ammo than expected. It can be annoying, but here’s a trick: don’t hesitate to switch weapons! When your current gun runs out of bullets, just throw it at an enemy and grab theirs.

If you can successfully time your throw and maintain a smooth motion, your opponent will drop their weapon. Bond can then grab the weapon and quickly use it against his attackers. In the fast-paced combat of First Light, reacting quickly is crucial.

Read More

2026-06-17 21:43