The 007 First Light training montage, a standout sequence in the game’s opening hours, was originally conceived as a “tutorial-less” experience—until playtesting revealed players weren’t engaging with the game’s core mechanics as intended.
How the “tutorial-less” vision became a training montage
When IO Interactive set out to design 007 First Light, its gameplay director, Philip Andreas Krogh, drew inspiration from Naughty Dog’s approach in titles like Uncharted 4, where mechanics are introduced organically within the story. “The reference was from Naughty Dog,” Krogh told GAMINGbible, “for instance in Uncharted 4 you sail in on a boat and you already feel like you’re in a real scenario. And yes there are some tutorials, there’s button prompts on the screen that tell you what to do, but it feels you’re already inside the game and playing it right.”
Yet the complexity of First Light’s mechanics—combining combat, stealth, and driving—proved too much to teach without interruption. Playtesters, the team found, were defaulting to a “cover shooter” playstyle, ignoring the game’s deeper systems. “We were pretty worried about that,” Krogh said, “because they wouldn’t enjoy the game as we wanted them to enjoy it.” The solution? A training montage that condensed instruction into a two-week montage, blending story progression with gameplay lessons.
Why the tutorial feels like a Bond film, not a lesson
The montage’s success lies in its seamless integration into the narrative. Rather than pause the game for tutorials, Bond’s training becomes part of his origin story—his journey into MI6’s elite 00 program. “Because it was an origin story,” Krogh explained, “and we knew he was getting into the training program, it makes sense to have a tutorial in some shape or form.” The key was making it feel like a moment, not a chore.
This approach mirrors the franchise’s cinematic roots, where Bond’s skills are showcased through action—not exposition. The result is a sequence that teaches players how to drive a car, fire a gun, and execute stealth maneuvers while also advancing the plot. “We don’t want players to get stuck in an hour-long tutorial,” Krogh said. “So how do we make that feel snappy, cool, and still teach you something?” The answer: a fast-paced, cinematic training montage that keeps up the momentum.
For more on this story, see 007 First Light Review: A Brilliant James Bond Experience from IO Interactive.
A hidden Easter egg that became a fan favorite
What began as a technical necessity has become one of the game’s most praised features. Players discovered the montage’s Easter eggs—subtle nods to classic Bond films—often by accident. While IO Interactive didn’t initially design it as a treasure hunt, the sequence’s depth has resonated with fans, blending gameplay with lore in a way that feels authentic to the franchise.
The montage’s design also reflects a broader trend in modern gaming: teaching mechanics without breaking immersion. By embedding tutorials into the story, First Light avoids the pitfalls of traditional hand-holding, instead offering players a taste of what it means to be 007—complete with the charm, danger, and style of the character.
What this means for future Bond games
The success of the training montage could set a new standard for how tutorials are handled in action games. If players respond well to organic learning experiences—especially in franchises with strong narrative traditions—other developers might follow suit, prioritizing immersion over traditional tutorials. For First Light, it’s a masterclass in blending education with entertainment, proving that even the most basic mechanics can feel like a Bond moment.
Yet the challenge remains: balancing teaching with player agency. As Krogh noted, the goal is to “keep up the momentum” without overwhelming new players. The training montage achieves this by making learning feel like part of the adventure—something Bond himself would endure. In an era where tutorials often feel like an afterthought, First Light’s approach is a reminder that even the most fundamental gameplay can be designed with flair.
“Keep up the momentum.” That’s the mantra that guided the montage’s creation—and it’s one that players, it seems, have embraced.
