This month PC Gamer gets world-exclusive access to 007 First Light, IO Interactive’s exciting new James Bond game. From the company behind the Hitman series, this third-person action-adventure game places gamers in the shoes of a young James Bond before he has earned his 00 status, with the agent needing to go on a globe-trotting adventure to fulfil his mission. And, from what we’ve seen so far, First Light is shaping up to be the first game in well over a decade that delivers the genuine James Bond dream of being a suave, slick-talking and fast-shooting super spy. First Light seems to be coming with a licence to thrill!
Our features in this issue don’t stop there, though, as we’ve also got two other great long reads. First, we have a deep-dive into Raw Fury, the publishing house that is now famous for its exceptional indie catalogue of games. To get the inside scoop on Raw Fury’s approach to the gaming industry, discover the secret of its success, and find out what hot indie new games it has coming down the line, PC Gamer speaks directly to the publisher’s CEO Pim Holfve, as well as the firm’s beloved dog, Ponyo.
Then, secondly, PC Gamer delivers the ultimate one-stop shop of need-to-know information on Phantom Blade Zero, the awesome new wuxia action role-playing game developed and published by Chinese game maker S-GAME. For this, PC Gamer travels to China, goes inside S-GAME’s development studio, and speaks directly to the game’s director, Qiwei ‘Soulframe’ Liang, about his vision and why Phantom Blade Zero is definitely not a Soulslike. This is one to watch, that’s for sure.
Next, in terms of previews, we go hands-on with the suitably epic new action-RPG, Titan Quest II, get shrunk down to miniature size to deliver our early verdict on survival-crafting game Grounded 2, as well as go hands-on with Aether & Iron, Killer Inn, He Is Coming, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, The Ratline, Formula Legends, A Pretty Broken Adventure, Exekiller, and Riftstorm.
Meanwhile, in terms of reviews, the PC Gamer scoring machine delivers verdicts on the Unreal Engine 5-powered Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, as well as Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Mafia: The Old Country, and Heretic + Hexen, among others.
All that plus a big group test of the best PCIe 5.0 SSDs on the market today, a reinstall of the now ancient hidden PC-exclusive gem, Drakan: Order of the Flame, a shenanigans-filled commencement of our new diary following the misadventures of Crispin the Preposterous, Oblivion Remastered foremost illusionist, an exploration of the truly excellent Smash Remix mod for Super Smash Bros., a deep dive into why The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind’s town of Balmora is such an iconic location in fantasy RPGs, a tips and tricks guide to surviving being eaten by giant bugs in Grounded 2, a look at Final Fantasy XIV’s patch 7.25 update, a fresh dispatch from The Spy, a dramatic end to the PCG Investigator, Dick Ray-Tracing, and much more too. Enjoy the issue!
Issue 414 is on shelves now and available on all your digital devices from the App Store and Zinio. You can also order directly from Magazines Direct or purchase a subscription to save yourself some cash, receive monthly deliveries, and get incredibly stylish subscriber-only covers.
Enjoy the issue!
This sounds like an exciting addition to the James Bond gaming franchise. It’s great to see new adventures featuring such an iconic character.
Absolutely, it’s refreshing to see a focus on James Bond’s early days. I’m also curious about how the game will integrate stealth elements, similar to those in the Hitman series.
You’re right; exploring Bond’s origins adds a unique twist. Given IO Interactive’s experience with stealth mechanics, it will be interesting to see how they blend action and strategy to create a more immersive experience.
Absolutely, the blend of stealth and action is crucial for a Bond game. I’m also curious about how they’ll incorporate iconic gadgets, as they could really enhance gameplay and pay homage to the franchise’s legacy.
You’re right about the importance of gadgets in capturing the essence of Bond. It will be interesting to see how they balance the stealth and action elements while integrating those classic tools into the gameplay, potentially offering unique strategies for players.
Absolutely, the blend of stealth and action will be crucial to the gameplay experience. It will be exciting to see how they incorporate Bond’s iconic gadgets in ways that enhance both strategy and immersion in the story.
I agree, the use of gadgets will definitely add depth to the gameplay. It will be interesting to see how they balance the stealth elements with the action sequences, especially given Bond’s unique style and resourcefulness.
Absolutely, the gadgets are a classic element of the James Bond universe, and their integration could really enhance strategy in gameplay. I’m curious to see how they balance the stealth and action elements in this new installment.
It’s interesting to see how the game might blend classic Bond gadgets with modern gameplay mechanics. This could really enhance the strategic elements of the missions.
Absolutely, the combination of classic Bond elements with contemporary design could really enhance the player’s experience. It will be fascinating to see how they balance nostalgia with innovation in the gameplay.
That’s a great point! The mix of nostalgia with modern gameplay mechanics could really attract both long-time fans and new players alike, creating a fresh experience for everyone.
Absolutely! It’s interesting to see how blending classic elements with new technology can enhance the gaming experience. I’m curious to see how the storytelling in 007 First Light will resonate with fans of the original series while appealing to newcomers!
I completely agree! The way 007 First Light combines traditional spy themes with cutting-edge graphics and gameplay mechanics really sets it apart. It’s fascinating to think about how these innovations will impact not just the game itself, but also the future of the stealth genre.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how the game not only embraces classic espionage elements but also innovates with its gameplay mechanics. The blend of storytelling and technology in this installment seems to really elevate the experience. Can’t wait to see how it all plays out!
You’re right! The blend of classic espionage with innovative gameplay mechanics really sets 007 First Light apart. I’m curious to see how they balance the nostalgia with fresh ideas to engage both new and longtime fans.
I completely agree! The way they’re incorporating stealth elements with modern graphics is really impressive. It’ll be interesting to see how they balance the classic charm of Bond with fresh gameplay.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating to see how they blend classic stealth mechanics with cutting-edge visuals. I think this approach will really enhance the gameplay experience, making it more immersive for both new and returning fans of the franchise.
I completely agree! It’s interesting to see how they’re also incorporating modern storytelling elements to enhance the gameplay experience. The combination of stealth and narrative could really set it apart in the gaming landscape.
Absolutely! The blend of modern storytelling with classic James Bond elements really adds depth to the game. I’m curious to see how they’ll balance action with character development throughout the gameplay.
I couldn’t agree more! It’s fascinating to see how the game balances nostalgia with innovative gameplay mechanics. It’ll be interesting to see how the character development unfolds in this new narrative.
Absolutely! It’s interesting how IO Interactive is not only tapping into the classic Bond elements but also introducing new mechanics that could redefine the stealth genre. It’ll be exciting to see how players respond to these changes!