007 First Light - Tips & Tricks

007 First Light is not just about being a good shot. Playing as a young James Bond means learning when to stay unnoticed, when to talk your way through a situation and when to take action. The game combines investigation, stealth, close combat and driving, so approaching every mission like a traditional shooter can make things unnecessarily difficult.

These 007 First Light tips and tricks focus on getting more from Bond's abilities, handling guards, surviving combat and making better decisions during missions. They are especially useful if you are still getting comfortable with the controls.

Look Around Before Making Your Move

One of the most useful habits in 007 First Light is taking a moment to understand your surroundings. Look for guards, possible routes, useful objects and places where Bond can move without attracting attention.

Pay attention to what the game reveals through environmental details and interaction prompts. An obvious route is not necessarily the most convenient one.

When a mission gives you room to investigate, use that opportunity instead of immediately approaching the first enemy you see.

Make the Q Lens Part of Your Routine

Bond's Q Lens is a valuable investigation tool. Hold L1 on PlayStation or LB on Xbox to enter Q Lens View.

Use it when entering unfamiliar areas, examining suspicious equipment or trying to understand how to progress through an objective.

If you cannot immediately identify what the game expects you to do, checking the surroundings with the Q Lens is a sensible next step.

Use Distractions to Create Opportunities

Stealth is often easier when you influence where enemies are looking rather than simply waiting for them to move.

The Lure action is assigned to D Pad Up on PlayStation. When the action is available, use it to draw attention away from the position you want to reach.

Watch how guards respond before moving. A distraction is most useful when you already know where you intend to go.

Do Not Rush Every Stealth Takedown

Bond can perform stealth takedowns using R3 when the situation allows it. However, approaching an enemy from a suitable position is more important than pressing the button quickly.

Consider whether other guards can see the target and whether the takedown will leave Bond exposed afterward.

Sometimes passing an enemy without fighting is the cleaner solution.

Remember That Combat Buttons Are Contextual

Several 007 First Light controls change depending on the situation. R3 can be used for crouching, striking or a stealth takedown, while R1 handles sprinting, cover movement and certain weapon abilities.

This means an unexpected action is not necessarily a control problem. Check Bond's current position and whether you are aiming, fighting or exploring.

Learning these contextual inputs makes the controls feel much more natural.

Use Cover Instead of Trading Shots

When a fight breaks out, avoid standing in the open for longer than necessary.

R1 allows Bond to dash toward cover or change cover positions when the appropriate action is available. Use it to reduce exposure and create better shooting angles.

Remaining behind the same cover indefinitely can also limit your options. Watch enemy positions and move when there is a safe opportunity.

Practice Parrying and Side Stepping

Close combat offers more than basic strikes. Circle is assigned to parrying, while Cross handles agility and side stepping during combat.

Pay attention to an opponent's attack animation and practise responding at the right moment. Defensive timing can create openings that are difficult to find through constant attacking.

Against aggressive opponents, avoiding a hit is often more valuable than landing one extra strike.

Mix Regular Strikes With Grapples

Bond can use regular strikes, charged strikes and grappling actions. Each has a different input and purpose.

Press R3 for a normal strike, hold it for a charged strike, or use the R2 grapple input when the appropriate opportunity appears.

Experiment with these actions during manageable encounters so you know what to expect when a more demanding fight begins.

Use Quick Draw When the Situation Changes

Not every encounter will remain quiet. If a situation escalates into armed combat, knowing how to transition from close range actions to shooting is important.

L2 handles aiming and the contextual Quick Draw action, while R2 is used to fire.

Practise switching between movement, cover and aiming rather than remaining stationary while trying to line up every shot.

Keep Track of Your Available Weapons

Use D Pad Down to cycle weapons and D Pad Right for the special weapon action.

Different situations may call for different equipment. Before committing to a fight, check what Bond currently has available rather than assuming the same weapon selection will carry across every mission.

Remember that some equipment and special abilities are tied to particular situations.

Use Instinct Focus Deliberately

Instinct Focus is assigned to L3 on PlayStation. It is a separate input from Q Lens View.

Get familiar with when each ability is available and what information or assistance it provides. Keeping the two controls distinct helps avoid confusion during tense sequences.

Pay attention to the game's prompts when new uses of Bond's abilities are introduced.

Brake Before Taking Sharp Corners

Driving sequences reward controlled steering rather than holding the accelerator continuously.

Use R2 to accelerate and L2 to brake. Slow down before a difficult turn, steer through it and accelerate again once the vehicle is pointing in the right direction.

This approach gives you more control than trying to correct a corner after entering it too quickly.

Use the Handbrake With Care

Cross is assigned to the handbrake during driving. It can help with tighter turns, but excessive use may make the vehicle harder to control.

Practise the difference between ordinary braking and the handbrake. The best choice depends on your speed and the shape of the road.

During a chase, a controlled turn is usually preferable to losing momentum through an unnecessary slide.

Learn Vehicle Weapons Before You Need Them

Some driving situations allow Bond to use vehicle weapons. Circle is assigned to Fire Weapon 1, while Square activates Fire Weapon 2.

These commands are not necessarily available in every vehicle. When they are active, practise aiming your vehicle and maintaining control while firing.

Do not focus so heavily on attacking that you forget the road ahead.

Use the Camera to Maintain Awareness

The right stick controls the camera during exploration and driving. In vehicles, it can also be used to look back, while pressing R3 resets the camera.

Looking behind can help you understand what is happening during a chase, but do not spend too long watching pursuers when obstacles are approaching.

Reset the camera whenever your view becomes awkward, especially after a sharp turn.

Check the Journal When You Lose Track of an Objective

The Journal screen is accessible through the touchpad on PlayStation.

If you are unsure what to do next, review your current objective before spending time searching an area without a clear purpose.

Combine the Journal with careful exploration and the Q Lens to work out your next move.

007 First Light Beginner FAQ

Is 007 First Light mainly a stealth game?

It combines stealth, investigation, combat and driving. Different situations encourage different approaches, so learning more than one style of play is useful.

What is the most useful ability for exploration?

The Q Lens is worth learning early because it provides an additional way to examine the environment and investigate objectives.

How can you avoid getting spotted?

Observe guard positions, use crouching when appropriate, take advantage of distractions and avoid rushing toward enemies without checking their surroundings.

What should you do when stealth fails?

React to the immediate threat. Move toward available cover, use defensive actions during close combat and switch to shooting when the situation requires it.

How do you get better at melee combat?

Practise parrying, side stepping, striking and grappling. Focus on recognising enemy attacks rather than repeatedly using the same offensive action.

How do you drive better in 007 First Light?

Brake before corners, steer smoothly, use the handbrake selectively and reset the camera when necessary. Keep your attention on the road even when vehicle weapons are available.

Should you use gadgets whenever possible?

Use gadgets when they solve a specific problem or reveal useful information. Checking your surroundings first helps you understand which tool is appropriate.