There were several times whilst playing 007 First Light that I lamented the pacing. How dare a game slow down when I’m having fun shooting bad guys! But the more I think about the game and it’s characters after completing the story, the more impressed I am. So much so that I’m going to say something certain people will consider outrageous. Even blasphemous.
I know Goldeneye is precious and beloved. But First Light is the best Bond video game. I don’t bestow that title lightly.
I have a lot of love for the franchise. From the films, to that one book I’ve read, through to a love of suits and cars, I’ve always found Bond cool and interesting. Video games use those pieces, but also end up focused purely on action. Shooting followed by cars followed by shooting. Nothing wrong with that. IOI are not that kind of developer. They’re best known for the Hitman series. A series based around being patient, planning, and executing efficiently whilst often being disguised. It’s not my cup of tea. I understand the love, but I’m more a “go loud as soon as anything goes tits up” player.
Trailers showed that Hitman clearly influenced aspects of First Light, which did worry me a bit. Would I be able to get on with it?
I needn’t have worried. First Light does have plenty of areas that will feel familiar to fans of Hitman. Environments that require a more cautious approach. Where eavesdropping, observation, and trickery are order of the day. But it’s also got some cracking gunplay, and the ability to throw your gun at enemies! Through this there is one important constant. You always feel like Bond.
Speaking of Bond, if Patrick Gibson was cast in the films I’d be more than OK with it. Charming, skilled, and able to pull off a one-liner, this Bond even has a similar scar to his literary version. He may have Nathan Drake levels of climbing ability and near Arkham levels of takedown skill, he’s not jacked or unbelievable. One of the main benefits of the game is that we get to spend so much more time with him than any film could manage. We only get the broad strokes of his past but there is a focus on how far Bond is willing to go. He’s charming, flawed, persistent, and amusingly annoying to those he’s fighting. An excellent Bond who I hope to see more of.
As much as Bond is seen as a womanising lone wolf, he does have people he relies on. First Light got Bond absolutely right, but it’s also managed the same feat with Moneypenny, M, I adore Q, and some new characters. They all give us a different perspective on Bond, from exasperation and growing respect to an almost fatherly care.
But there is one character who displays all of those feelings. John Greenway, played by Lennie James. A former 00 agent (maybe 007?) he is now training the new crop, and he’s a tough bastard. Hard to impress at the best of times, he takes an immediate dislike to Bond. But as well written as all the relationships are in the the game, the growing respect and appreciation that develops between Bond and Greenway makes the story special. It all leads to you understand Bond more.
I can’t fault the story, character progression, and look. I really enjoy the gunplay, especially moments where Bond flicks up a weapon into his hands, or the aforementioned gun toss. A small amount of ammo forces constant changes in weapon and approach, and further enforces Bond’s skill and adaptability. There are some driving sections, though not enough for my liking. The biggest issue I have with the whole game is the melee combat. Though it uses familiar colours and symbols like the Arkham and Spider-Man games, it feels nowhere near as tight. Timing windows feel murky, leading to taking a lot more hits than I should have. When everything else feels smooth it stands out.
I’ve spoken mainly about characters and less about mechanics and detail. That’s a fitting overall description of my enjoyment of 007 First Light. From it’s take on AI to it’s presentation, this game deserves it’s license to kill.
| Played On | PS5 |
| Time Spent | 20 hours |
| Pros | + The writing + Gunplay is fun and smooth + Character relationships + You feel like Bond |
| Cons | – Woolly melee – Not enough driving |
| Overall | Not just the best Bond video game, but also favourable against most films. More please. |
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