With the release of 007 First Light, IO Interactive has given players an authentic yet unique James Bond origin story. While the 20-hour campaign provides players with a cinematic story to experience, IO Interactive has also included the 007 First Light TacSim mode for players to test their skills. Here is a breakdown of what the TacSim mode is and how it functions in the game.

TacSim, short for Tactical Simulation, is a dedicated, replay-focused mode in 007 First Light that is separate from the main campaign. In the game’s world, it is presented as a high-tech simulation run by Dr. Selina Tan, portrayed by Gemma Chan. The Tacsim mode can be seen as a spiritual successor to the Freelancer mode in IO Interactive’s Hitman games.

It allows you to revisit locations from the main campaign but with entirely different objectives, tighter restrictions, and randomized elements that keep the experience fresh.

Everything You Need to Know about 007 First Light TacSim Mode

Escalations and Operations

TacSim missions in 007 First Light transform existing story locations into objective-driven playgrounds in settings called Escalations. Each Escalation mission comes packaged with 3 tiers of increasing difficulty. You don’t follow a scripted set of events. Instead, you are dropped into a level with a set of randomized parameters called Game Changer modifiers.

Meanwhile, Operations missions in Tacsim feature only one tier of difficulty and allow players to explore and adapt. Every TacSim mission has 7-10 challenges attached to it, which basically serve as mini-tasks that reward completion. This can include using gadgets like the Q-Lens or Q-Watch at specific points in your mission.

The developers have confirmed that, apart from the main campaign, the TacSim mode is where the game will continue to grow past its release. IO Interactive will add new simulation missions, gadgets, and other content even after the credits roll on the main story.

Progression and Rewards

The functional core of the TacSim mode in 007 First Light features a progression system that rewards efficiency. As you complete simulations, you will earn experience points (XP) and Intel. XP serves to increase Bond’s TacSim Clearance Level, allowing you to unlock more items in the shop.

Meanwhile, Intel is a unique currency in the 007 First Light TacSim mode, allowing players to style Bond up with new gadgets and suits in the game. As you grow your equipment and overall arsenal in 007 First Light, you will have to make a choice about which gadgets you want to get your hands on first.

Competitive Edge

The TacSim mode in 007 First Light is built with a heavy emphasis on community and competition, thanks to its integrated global leaderboard. Every action you take, from the speed of a takedown to the number of cameras you disable, contributes to a final mission score.

This system encourages players to master areas from the main 007 First Light campaign. Players can return to the same simulation multiple times to find the most efficient route possible. They can then compare their performance against a global pool of other agents.

The TacSim mode is perfect for players who want a more sandbox feel of Hitman wrapped in a faster-paced James Bond package. It allows players to solve the same missions in dozens of different ways, allowing the game to have a lot to do even after finishing the story.

Will you be taking up arms and competing against other agents in the 007 First Light TacSim mode? Tell us in the comments below!