Is 007 First Light a smart Bond story—or not enough spycraft?
This preview is based only on the episode’s published show notes. The Besties discuss IO Interactive’s 007 First Light, framing it less like a stealth-heavy Hitman cousin and more like a season of James Bond TV, with opinions hinging on whether that story-first approach works for Bond.
Based on the show notes alone, this episode centers on a clear tension: what should an IO Interactive Bond game actually be? Because the studio is so closely associated with Hitman, there’s an obvious expectation that **007 First Light** might lean into stealth, planning, and elaborate spycraft. The notes suggest that’s not quite what happened. Instead, the game is described as feeling like **a season of James Bond television**, with its **story taking priority over everything else**. That framing makes this episode sound especially useful if you’re curious about how much a Bond game should emphasize narrative versus player-driven stealth systems. It also hints at a lively split in opinion, with the answer depending on “which Besty you ask.” If you’re deciding whether to listen, expect a conversation less about exhaustive mechanics and more about **creative direction and adaptation choices**: what people want from Bond, what they expect from IOI, and whether those two things naturally fit together. Fans of Hitman, Bond, or game-to-franchise comparisons will probably find the premise appealing. One important note: this is just a preview drawn from the published description, not a recap of the full audio. The show notes don’t reveal where each host lands in detail, but they do promise a debate over whether **story-first Bond** is the right move.
About this episode
<p>007 First Light is the new game from IO Interactive, the developers of the beloved stealth series Hitman. So you’d be forgiven for assuming this entry in the Bond canon would emphasize sleuthy spycraft. Instead, IOI created something akin to a season of James Bond television, spotlighting its strong story above everything else. Was that the right choice? It depends on which Besty you ask!</p> <p><p>Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at <a href="http://www.besties.fan/" target="_blank">www.besties.fan</a>. Want more episodes? Join us at <a href="http://patreon.com/thebesties" target="_blank">patreon.com/thebesties</a> for three bonus episodes each month!</p></p>