7 beginner’s tips to defend the crown in 007 First Light

Balance is important

Image: IO Interactive via Polygon

While Bond is a good fighter and a skilled shooter, an agent is nothing without their gadgets. You can always carry up to three different gadgets during a mission, from the dart phone that can make any target feel sick within seconds to the not-so-subtle shockwave camera that can put a single enemy down. While all of them are extremely useful, you should try to equip gadgets that use different resources. Some, like the Q-Watch, use electricity, while others, such as the darts, require chemical solutions. If you carry only electric- or chemical-based gadgets, you will run out of resources fast, so try to have one of each kind.

Move as soon as a target is distracted

There are many occasions in 007 First Light where you’ll need to make a guard or a target move away from their position. You can employ different strategies, like poisoning them with one of Bond’s darts or creating a distraction to attract their attention. Regardless of the method, know that it is safe to act as soon as an icon appears over the character’s head — even if you’re right in front of them. It doesn’t matter if they can still see you. As long as they are marked as distracted or sick, you’re free to move safely. In addition, these icons are crucial for keeping track of how much time you have before the target can notice you again.

Exploration helps you prepare for your mission

The objectives in each mission are in general fairly straightforward, giving you a clear idea of what you should do. However, focusing too much on your current task might not be the best strategy. On every map, you can enter secondary locations like deposits or corridors that are worth checking, even if they are not connected to the main mission. By searching these locations, you can find resources for your gadgets, collectibles, and even important items like keys. These aren’t mandatory to complete missions, but by having them, you can enter new places and use different routes that can make your life easier.

Remember to always use your lens

Image: IO Interactive via Polygon

As soon as Bond becomes part of the MI6, he gets his Q-Lens, which provides information about the environment by highlighting objects, locations, and people who you can interact with in one way or another. You shouldn’t wait for moments when you don’t know what to do to activate the lens, though. In addition to the information the Q-Lens provides, it can also give you clues on how to complete an objective. For example, if you walk through a crowd while having the Q-Lens active, you may spot characters who are carrying keys, cards, or other items you can steal and use in your mission. So, be sure to scan everything and everyone with your lens.

Instead of running away, fighting may be the best option

Up until now, we have been giving tips on how to be a better spy, but more often than not, you will have to put the martini away and get into an honest fistfight. If you’re spotted by enemies and don’t have a license to kill, you must make a decision. While engaging in direct fights with enemies is dangerous, if you can quickly beat them down, it’s possible to control the situation. Once enemies are lying on the ground, the sign on the top side of the screen will become green, indicating that it is safe to proceed. Although risky, fighting might save you time and get you back into action faster than reloading the level.