Finally Taking the Wheel

Since the release of 007: First Light in May, one consistent critique has been the lack of substantial vehicle-based gameplay, particularly regarding James Bond's iconic cars. While the campaign featured high-octane moments like a battle on a cargo plane, the dedicated driving segments often felt brief or underwhelming.

Players were particularly frustrated by the handling of the Aston Martin Valhalla—a vehicle featured in No Time to Die. Throughout the base game, the car was frequently showcased in the Q-Lab, yet players were never given the chance to actually drive it in a meaningful way, relegated instead to a brief, scripted turret sequence.


The 'Extended Operations' DLC

IO Interactive has addressed these complaints with the release of the free 'Extended Operations' DLC pack. The update introduces several new additions, most notably the 'Valhalla Protocol' mission:

  • Valhalla Protocol: Integrated into the TacSim mode, this mission allows players to navigate the mountainous terrain of Slovakia behind the wheel of the armed Aston Martin, utilizing rockets and machine guns to neutralize drones and enemy vehicles.
  • Jungle Heist: This new TacSim operation transforms the game's Vietnamese hotel level into a randomized objective-based mission where Bond must infiltrate a secure villa to recover sensitive documents.

Additional Features and Future Outlook

Beyond the new missions, the update expands the game in several key ways:

«The DLC brings a comprehensive Photo Mode, a New Game+ option allowing for wardrobe changes and customized gadget loadouts, and a challenging new “00” difficulty setting unlocked after campaign completion.»

The developers have also included a small nod to the community for their support—reaching 7 million wishlists—in the form of a pet-able bulldog added to the game.


The Future of the Franchise

007: First Light proved to be a massive success for IO Interactive, selling 1.5 million copies within its first 24 hours. While discussions regarding a potential sequel are ongoing, details remain uncertain. Although Amazon Gaming has expressed a preference for IOI to lead future developments, no official sequel has been confirmed. Additionally, reports suggest Amazon has considered acquiring the Danish studio outright, a prospect that brings into question the future independence of the developer known for the Hitman series.