Warning! Spoilers for 007 First Light follow below.
007 First Light is finally here, and it’s clear that IO Interactive is already planting the seeds for Bond’s future. The story of the game is very twisty, constantly revealing new villains and their evil plots. The game keeps you guessing up until the very end and doesn’t even fully resolve every single thread, which may come as a surprise to some fans.
The story of 007 First Light sees James Bond unravelling a conspiracy revolving around a Minority Report-esque AI that belongs to MI6. The AI, known as Theia, is supposed to help give MI6 vital intel so it can stop evildoers, but it turns out the machine is heavily flawed and compromised. To the surprise of no one, its creator, Nicolas Webb, uses the technology for his own personal gain, jeopardizing the credibility of MI6 and the government at large. Of course, Bond saves the day and stops the baddies, but there’s one lingering thread: a mysterious woman named Isola.
Bond frequently crosses paths with Isola throughout the story, though her true intentions and identity remain a mystery. MI6 is unable to identify her even with their wealth of resources, and Bond fails to pinpoint her origins, as Isola denies any involvement with other agencies like the CIA. She ends up betraying Bond by killing Webb and stealing the core from a mirror version of his AI machine known as Hyperion. Although she has a soft spot for Bond and isn’t out to directly harm him, their goals clearly conflict.
The game ends with M and Bond discussing the mysterious organization that is operating in the shadows and how it could pose danger to the world. M also grants Bond the 007 codename and the signature gunbarrel sequence plays out before the words “James Bond will return” hit the screen, confirming a sequel is in the cards for IO Interactive. So, where does that leave us? Well, Isola will almost certainly return as well. IO Interactive placed great importance not only on her but also on her employer.
Although the game doesn’t provide anything concrete one way or another, it seems highly probable that she works for Spectre, the shadowy organization that Bond frequently contends with in other media. Many of Bond’s greatest foes have worked for Spectre or been prominent leaders for the crime syndicate/terrorist organization, so it only makes sense for them to have a role in future 007 games. With Isola having the core of a powerful AI technology, it will likely allow Spectre to cause significant harm to the world.
As of right now, it’s unclear when IO Interactive will return to Bond. The developer previously told IGN that it is hoping to make a trilogy around 007, but of course, that will only be possible if First Light is a success. 007 First Light is getting glowing reviews so far, with IGN’s review-in-progress noting that it’s the “it’s the best Bond has been since GoldenEye.”
One has to imagine that if the game sells well, both IOI and Bond owner Amazon MGM will be interested in getting a sequel out the door as quickly as possible. However, IOI is also working on a fantasy game and has aspirations to return to the Hitman series in the future. Only time will tell how Bond works into that plan, but IOI is an efficient team, so hopefully it won’t be too long of a wait for 007’s next adventure.
Amazon MGM may also crave some synergy as it begins to reboot James Bond for the big screen. Casting is currently underway for the next Bond and is expected to be Denis Villenueve’s next film after he finishes work on Dune Part 3, which is due out this December. For those holding out hope for Idris Elba as the next Bond, the actor recently noted that he’s never been in the race for the part. Amazon MGM is expected to tap a younger actor to play the role, partially for the sake of longevity.
Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN’s news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.
