What to know
- You must progress through roughly the first three story chapters to unlock TACSIM.
- An internet connection is required because Tactical Simulation is unavailable offline.
- Completing any operation mission grants the “What If…?” achievement.
- TACSIM also includes ranks, leaderboards, collectibles, and cosmetic management.
After progressing through the early campaign, 007 First Light unlocks a separate mode called Tactical Simulation (TACSIM). This mode serves as a training and challenge hub where you can take on standalone operations, earn XP, climb ranks, and compare times on leaderboards. If you’re aiming for the “What If…?” achievement, you only need to successfully complete a single operation.
Quick overview of What If? achievement in 007 First Light
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Achievement | What If…? |
| Game Mode | Tactical Simulation (TACSIM) |
| Unlock Requirement | Complete approximately the first three campaign chapters |
| Internet Required | Yes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Estimated Time | 5-10 Minutes |
| Missable | No |
| Reward | What If…? Achievement/Trophy |
How to unlock TacSim in 007 First Light
Before you can attempt the achievement, you must make enough progress in the main story to unlock Tactical Simulation. Most players gain access after completing around the first three chapters of the campaign.
Keep in mind that TACSIM requires an active internet connection. If you’re playing offline, the mode will not be available from the main menu.
How to get “What If…?” achievement in 007 First Light
Step 1
From the main menu, select the Tactical Simulation option. If this is your first visit, the game may require you to complete a brief introductory tutorial before granting full access to the mode.
Step 2
Once inside the TACSIM hub area, look for the operation mission selection terminal. This terminal allows you to browse available operations and choose which mission you want to tackle.
Step 3
Select any available operation. The achievement is not tied to a specific mission, so choose whichever operation you prefer.
Step 4
Wait for the operation to load. After loading is complete, step onto the designated transport platform to enter the simulation environment.
Step 5
Complete the mission objectives. Operations generally involve eliminating enemies, securing areas, and collecting mission-related items such as postcards and other intel.
Successfully complete the operation and reach the mission end screen. As soon as your first operation is finished, the What If…? achievement will unlock.
Rewards
| Reward | Description |
|---|---|
| What If…? Achievement | Awarded for completing your first TACSIM operation |
| TACSIM XP | Earned for mission completion |
| Rank Progression | Increases your Tactical Simulation rank |
| Leaderboard Access | Allows comparison of mission completion times |
What else can you do in TACSIM?
Tactical Simulation is more than just an achievement mode. The hub contains several additional features that become useful as you spend more time there.
You can earn experience points by completing operations and escalation missions, which increases your TACSIM rank. The hub also lets you review collected intel, manage secondary character skins, and check speedrun leaderboards for competitive mission times. These systems provide extra replay value after you’ve finished the main campaign.
The “What If…?” achievement is essentially an introduction to Tactical Simulation. Once you’ve unlocked the mode through story progression, simply select any operation, complete its objectives, and finish the mission. The achievement should unlock immediately upon successful completion, making it one of the quickest achievements available in 007 First Light.
