007 First Light Hits the Gas: Extended Operations Arrives Free with the Aston Martin

James Bond is back behind the wheel. IO Interactive has released Extended Operations, a sizable free update for 007 First Light that you can download now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. As reported by GameSpot, the package includes new missions, a driving mode called Valhalla Protocol, a photo mode, New Game+, never-before-seen weapons and outfits, and other additions.

Why does it matter? Because it's rare for a campaign-focused action game to get content of this caliber without asking you to pay. If you've already finished the story, it's a solid excuse to jump back in. If you race against the clock or make a living creating content, each of these new features opens a different door: timed races, a second playthrough with New Game+ and tools for capturing high-quality screenshots.

What you need to know

• Free for everyone: Extended Operations costs nothing and is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
• Valhalla Protocol: a time trial in Slovakia behind the wheel of the Aston Martin Valhalla, with four track variants and weaponry that includes missile launchers.
• Photo mode: filters, custom lighting setups and exclusive poses for Bond.
• New Game+: the option to replay the campaign with fresh incentives.
• More content: new missions, including a brand-new operation, along with additional weapons and suits.

Valhalla Protocol: the wheel takes center stage

The headline feature of the update is Valhalla Protocol, a mode that brings back the Aston Martin Valhalla, Bond's signature car in this game, and throws it into a race against the clock on the roads of Slovakia. The course comes in four different versions, so the idea is to master every variant rather than just memorize a single route.

The Bond touch is in the arsenal: when speed isn't enough, the car comes equipped with firearms and missile launchers to blast your way into first place. GameSpot frames it with a wink, pitching it as far more entertaining than a typical Formula 1 race. It's a statement of intent: this isn't about simulation, it's about spectacle with a license to destroy.

Photo mode, New Game+ and the rest of the package

The photo mode follows in the footsteps of what many modern games already offer: you position Bond, pick filters, tweak the lighting to your liking and use exclusive poses to get the perfect shot. Nothing revolutionary, but it's a tool that was sorely missing from such a cinematic title.

New Game+ is aimed at players who want to squeeze a second run out of the campaign, while the new missions, including an extra operation, plus the additional weapons and outfits, round out an update designed to extend the game's life well beyond the end credits.

Our take

Here at Underworld Lordz, we're clear on this one: the fact that all of this is free deserves applause. In an industry that slices every addition into a season pass, IO Interactive is choosing to look after the people who already bought the game. On top of that, the studio already proved with the Hitman series that it knows how to sustain a game long-term with post-launch content, and Extended Operations seems to follow that same philosophy.

From a competitive standpoint, Valhalla Protocol is the most interesting part, though with some caveats. A time trial with four track variants invites you to shave down your times and chase the perfect lap, but the source doesn't clarify whether there will be leaderboards or how performance will be measured, and without that the rivalry loses its edge. We also have our doubts about variety: four versions of the same track may fall short if the mode lacks enough depth. And we all know driving segments in action games sometimes feel held together with duct tape. We'll have to play it thoroughly before getting too excited.

For content creators, on the other hand, it's a slam dunk. The photo mode is pure gold for thumbnails, cover images and social media posts; New Game+ opens the door to challenges and replays with a different approach; and an armed race against the clock is perfect material for short clips. If you stream or make videos, this update hands you content on a silver platter.

What do you think?

Extended Operations gives 007 First Light a second life without asking you for a single euro or dollar, but the question is whether it's enough to get you hooked again. Would you go for the best time in Valhalla Protocol, or are you more interested in the photo mode for creating content? Let us know in the team chat or on our Discord.