How to Parry in 007 First Light

IO Interactive’s 007 First Light places players in the role of a young James Bond shortly after his recruitment into MI6’s resurrected 00 training program, where he must complete missions to earn his iconic 007 designation. As Bond works to stop a rogue agent and uncover a larger conspiracy, close-quarters combat becomes a major part of the experience, and that’s where the parry mechanic comes in.

On paper, parrying is easy to perform: simply press Q on PC, B on Xbox, or Circle on PlayStation. However, it’s important to understand the parry window and how to follow up successfully. To make things easier, we’ve put together a complete guide on how to parry in 007 First Light.

Here’s How to Parry in 007 First Light

For those unaware, parrying in 007 First Light is a defensive mechanic that allows you to block incoming attacks, avoid damage entirely, and stagger the attacker at the same time.

As mentioned earlier, parrying can be performed by pressing Q on PC, B on Xbox, or Circle on PlayStation. However, timing is extremely important, as the move can only be executed within a specific window. This window occurs when an enemy launches an attack and a yellow glint appears on them. The glint is your cue to parry, so make sure to press the button at the right moment.

After successfully parrying an enemy, you can follow up in several ways. You can grab them and slam them into nearby hard surfaces to knock them out, or perform a full takedown combo to quickly eliminate the threat.

There are a few things to keep in mind. The parry window in 007 First Light changes depending on the difficulty level you choose. On easier difficulties, the yellow glint remains visible for a longer period, making parries easier to land. On higher difficulties, the timing window becomes much shorter. In addition, charged attacks and enemies that are actively blocking cannot be parried.

Combat Tips That Can Help You in 007 First Light

James Bond in 007 First Light. | Credits: IO Interactive

Parrying isn’t the only important part of combat, and if you want to eliminate enemies efficiently, there are several other mechanics worth understanding in 007 First Light.

Takedowns can be performed using F on PC, Square on PlayStation, and X on Xbox, instantly incapacitating an enemy. One of the biggest advantages of takedowns is that you remain completely invulnerable during the animation. So, if you find yourself surrounded and see a takedown prompt, it’s almost always worth using immediately. In close-quarters combat situations, it’s usually best to lure enemies out and deal with them one at a time rather than rushing into large groups.

As for gunplay, landing headshots is extremely important. You should also make full use of Focus Mode while aiming. Gadgets are equally important in 007 First Light, as they can create distractions and open up new opportunities during combat. You can also shoot weapons out of enemies’ hands and pick them up yourself if you’re running low on ammunition.

With that said, have you managed to master parrying in 007 First Light? Let us know in the comments below.