With IO Interactive offering major discounts and the chance to play the first level for free, a reader recommends everyone give 007 First Light a go.
I’m not usually one to bang the drum for a game. I don’t figure that’s my job and these companies have got plenty of money to spend on marketing. However, I’m still not clear exactly how well 007 First Light has done and I really want it to succeed, because it’s my favourite game of the year by far.
I wrote in because I saw two stories recently about it being 50% off in the PlayStation Store and that you can play the first mission for free on all platforms. This is a great deal, but it does worry me that it’s the sort of thing publishers do when something isn’t selling.
It doesn’t definitely mean that (I think IO Interactive had done things like that before with Hitman) but just in case I thought I should do my bit and say that the game is amazing and that you should definitely get it.
The first thing I’ll say is that I’m not a Bond fan. I’ve seen a lot of the films, at least in part, and enjoyed some of them but I wouldn’t say I’m a fan and I don’t make a point of trying to see them or anything like that. But I feel even if you hated the films you’d still know all the tropes and major characters, so you really don’t need to know or like anything to enjoy this game.
It starts with Bond as a young recruit who has nothing to do with MI5 and because of what happens in the first mission (remember, it’s free – although not till Tuesday on PlayStation 5) he gets the chance to become a spy. All this takes a while, as you get to know him and he does his training, and then slowly gets the chance to go on real missions.
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The thing that impresses me about First Light is that it takes its time. There’s lots of bits that are just talking with other characters or poking about areas and while you could take the quick route it’s much better to enjoy the atmosphere and really get into your role.
The story and dialogue, and especially the voice-acting, is top notch all the way through and I didn’t really expect that. Not all of Bond’s one-liners are good but they’re never embarrassing and I really liked his boss and Moneypenny and the others. The villain’s decent too, especially compared to the forgettable ones in the last few movies.
What’s just as surprising to me is that the action is really good. This is a sold third person shooter and it’s got decent fighting too. There’s not as much car chases as you might expect but that’s good too – although the best bits are in… something other than a normal car.
I really can’t find any fault with the game. The way the watch works is a bit weird and unrealistic, and weirdly there aren’t many other gadgets, but really I cannot find any serious fault with the game.
I’m sure it won’t win at The Game Awards this year, thanks to GTA 6, and apparently Zelda, but I can’t imagine GTA 6 playing better than this. In fact, I’d be willing to bet it won’t.
By reader Cobbler
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