so i just got to try out 007 first light, the new james bond game from io, and i'm kinda mixed about it. i mean, i love the hitman series and was super stoked to see what io would do with bond, but after playing it for a few hours, i'm not entirely sure they're on the right track.



it's set in the present day, with a young james bond trying to survive in iceland after his helicopter explodes and all his friends are killed. it's pretty intense, but bond being bond, he's all about beating up the bad guys and charming the ladies. the game's got a pretty cool concept, with bond having to use his skills to infiltrate and gather info, but it feels a bit... off.



i played through three levels, including a tutorial in iceland, a training level where bond learns to use his gadgets, and a full level set in central london where bond has to blend in and find his target at a gala. the level design is pretty cool, with multiple routes and options for how to approach the mission. but at the same time, it feels a bit too linear and orchestrated, like io is trying to make it feel like a movie or something.

according to the franchise art director, rasmus poulsen, the game is supposed to be a more "cinematic experience" than the hitman games, with a mix of stealth, action, and vehicle chases. and yeah, it's definitely got those things, but it feels like something's missing. maybe it's just because i'm so used to the hitman series, but first light feels a bit too... straightforward, i guess.



preorders are available at major retailers, and the game's set to release on mayRead more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com

What do you think about this?