Finally Hitting the Road in Style

Since the release of 007: First Light in May, one of the most common critiques was the lack of substantial driving mechanics, particularly regarding the iconic vehicles associated with James Bond. While the campaign featured thrilling action sequences involving planes and heavy machinery, the dedicated car chases often felt underdeveloped or underwhelming.

A major point of contention was the Aston Martin Valhalla. Despite being showcased prominently in the Q-Lab, Bond’s actual time behind the wheel was limited to a brief, scripted turret sequence rather than true driving gameplay. Fortunately, developer IO Interactive has addressed this with the newly released, free 'Extended Operations' DLC.

New Content and Missions

The centerpiece of this update is the Valhalla Protocol mission, integrated into the game’s TacSim mode. In this high-octane mission, players are finally granted control of the heavily armed Aston Martin, traversing the mountains of Slovakia while utilizing rockets and machine guns to dismantle drones and enemy vehicles.

In addition to the driving mission, the DLC includes several other features:

  • Jungle Heist: A new TacSim Operation set in the Vietnamese hotel, now featuring randomized objectives focused on stealing documents from a secure villa.
  • Photo Mode: Tools for capturing cinematic moments in-game.
  • New Game+: Allows players to replay the campaign with custom suit options and adjustable gadget loadouts.
  • "00" Difficulty: A new, challenging difficulty tier unlocked after campaign completion.
  • Interactive Elements: Players can now interact with a bulldog in the game, a nod from the developers to the community for reaching 7 million wishlists.

The Future of the Franchise

007: First Light has proven to be a massive commercial success, moving 1.5 million copies within its first 24 hours. Despite its popularity, the future of the series remains a subject of speculation. While Amazon Gaming has expressed a desire for IO Interactive to helm a potential sequel, no official confirmation has been made.

There has also been ongoing discussion regarding the possibility of Amazon acquiring the Danish studio. As noted in industry reports, the potential for a sequel remains a key topic, though some observers advocate for the studio to maintain its independence to ensure the continued creative freedom seen in titles like Hitman.