007 First Light has its first major update, and it is free. IO Interactive has released the Extended Operations DLC, adding five new missions to the TacSim mode, a New Game Plus option, and a harder 00 difficulty setting. The game already holds a 9/10 score from IGN, and the DLC arrives today to keep that momentum going.
What the DLC Actually Adds
The Extended Operations DLC is built around the Valhalla, the supercar players get to drive for a single mission during the campaign. Four of the new TacSim missions center on that vehicle, described in the trailer as driving trials where players use the car’s weapons and gadgets to complete timed challenges.
The fifth mission stands apart. It is not tied to the Valhalla, and it rounds out the package of new content available in the TacSim menu.
New Game Plus is the headline addition. It brings a new 00 difficulty setting, described as significantly harder than the Purist difficulty from the original game. Enemies react faster, some NPCs are swapped for harder variants, and combat becomes more unforgiving with two-hit kills and a tighter parry window.
Weapon animations have also been improved, and enemies can now throw players off cliffs, just as players could throw enemies off cliffs in the base game.
The Free Price Tag
The Extended Operations DLC is free to everyone who owns 007 First Light. That pricing decision is notable for a game that already landed a strong critical score.
IGN’s review called the game “demonstrably obsessed with bringing the Bond fantasy to life in a way no one has ever managed before,” and concluded that it is “the best Bond game I’ve ever played.” The DLC builds on that foundation rather than asking players to pay for it again.
IO Interactive also added a photo mode that was missing at launch. Players can now capture screenshots of their missions.
Why This Matters
The DLC addresses a specific request from players. The source speculates that some folks were hoping for a story expansion, but IO Interactive chose a different path. The TacSim missions give players more reasons to return to the game, and the New Game Plus mode rewards those who want a bigger challenge.
The timing is also worth noting. The DLC arrives after the game’s launch, which means players who bought the game at launch already have access to everything included in the update.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| New Game Plus | New 00 difficulty, faster enemies, harder NPCs, two-hit kills, tighter parry window |
| Valhalla Missions | Four driving trials using the car’s weapons and gadgets |
| Photo Mode | Added to the game, missing at launch |
| Price | Free for all owners |
What Comes Next
The DLC is live now, and players who have already invested in 007 First Light can jump straight into it without spending another cent.
The game’s Switch 2 status remains unannounced, but the DLC’s arrival puts renewed attention on that platform. Fans have been waiting for a Switch 2 version.
For now, the Extended Operations DLC is the story. It gives players more reasons to spend time in the TacSim mode.
The Verdict
The DLC succeeds because it respects the player’s investment. A free update on a game this good is rare, and IO Interactive has delivered exactly what the game needed: more content, a harder challenge, and a fix for a missing feature.
The 00 difficulty is likely to draw serious players back in, and the Valhalla missions give casual players a reason to explore further. The photo mode is a small touch, but it is the kind of polish that shows attention to detail.
This is the first content-based DLC for 007 First Light, and it lands well.
Source material: “007 First Light's First DLC Out Now, Adds New Game Plus,” IGN.
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