007: First Light Gets Free Aston Martin Valhalla DLC, New Game+, Photo Mode, and 700+ Fixes
IO Interactive has rolled out the first major free DLC update for 007: First Light, giving players new reasons to return to James Bond’s latest interactive adventure. The update, released on October 1, adds a fresh Aston Martin Valhalla activity, New Game+, Photo Mode, a tougher “00” difficulty setting, new weapons, and more than 700 fixes and improvements.
The headline addition is Extended Operations, a free DLC pack available across all major platforms. Its biggest feature is Valhalla Protocol, a new TacSim side activity centered around the Aston Martin Valhalla. Instead of a full open-road driving mission, Valhalla Protocol is designed as a score-chasing challenge, pushing players to compete for high scores across four separate missions.
For many players, this is a welcome addition. In the main campaign, the Aston Martin Valhalla appeared during a late-game sequence, but players did not actually get to drive it. Instead, the mission focused more on turret-style action against enemies. With Valhalla Protocol, the luxury supercar finally gets more attention, even if the mode is built around arcade-style TacSim objectives rather than a traditional story mission.
Update 1.3.0 also introduces another TacSim Operation called Jungle Heist. This mission takes players back to the Pearl Hotel in Vietnam, where Bond must recover important documents from a safe. IO Interactive says the activity is designed so that each attempt can play out differently, giving players more replay value and a reason to experiment with new approaches.
The update also expands the game’s arsenal with two new weapons: the Storm 12 Gauge and the Squire Marksman Rifle. Both replace the standard Service Pistol, but unlocking them will take some effort. The Storm 12 Gauge requires Clearance Level 20 and 6,000 Intel points, while the Squire Marksman Rifle unlocks at Clearance Level 18 with 4,000 Intel points. Players can obtain them through the TacSim shop after reaching the required progression milestones.
New Game+ is another major feature included in the update. Once players complete the 007: First Light campaign, they can start a second run with added flexibility. During New Game+, outfits can be changed through the journal, and gadgets can be swapped between missions rather than being locked into a loadout at the beginning of each mission. This should make repeat playthroughs feel less restrictive and more customizable.
For those looking for a more demanding experience, the new “00” difficulty setting is also unlocked after finishing the campaign. This mode is designed to make the game feel more realistic and punishing. Enemies detect Bond more quickly, deal more damage, and gadgets recover only a small amount of usage from collected resources. It is aimed at players who want stealth, combat, and resource management to feel more intense.
Photo Mode is another welcome addition, especially for players who enjoy capturing cinematic moments. With 007: First Light’s stylish environments, action sequences, gadgets, and luxury vehicles, Photo Mode gives fans a new way to appreciate and share the game’s visual presentation.
While the Aston Martin Valhalla DLC is exciting, its arrival is not entirely unexpected. The car and Slovakia’s snowy mountain slopes were already hinted at on the game’s main menu when 007: First Light launched. Still, the release of Extended Operations gives players more content at no extra cost and helps expand the game beyond its main campaign.
Overall, Update 1.3.0 is a strong post-launch package for 007: First Light. Between the free Aston Martin Valhalla TacSim missions, Jungle Heist, New Game+, Photo Mode, new weapons, the “00” difficulty setting, and hundreds of fixes, IO Interactive has delivered a meaningful update that should appeal to both returning players and completionists chasing every challenge the game has to offer.
