One of the standout aspects of 007 First Light is its innovative approach to something often mundane: the tutorial. Typically, tutorials in games are a series of tiresome instructions that feel detached from the main narrative, moving at a cumbersome pace. However, First Light breaks this mold. Since the game features a young James Bond in training, the tutorial unfolds like a dynamic montage seen in classic action films. As you progress through the months, you witness a lively montage of Bond mastering skills from shooting to parkour. These segments are interactive, allowing players to learn alongside Bond, blending seamlessly with the story. This creative approach illustrates the increasingly blurred lines between gaming, cinema, and television.
The influence of cinema on video games is hardly new. From the early days, games have drawn inspiration from films, with titles like Donkey Kong echoing monster movie themes and franchises such as Uncharted and Ghost of Tsushima crafting movie-like experiences that are interactive. Visionaries like Hideo Kojima thrive on infusing games with Hollywood flair. Yet, First Light marks a significant evolution of this trend. It is not simply a movie adaptation or a genre mimic like Uncharted is to Indiana Jones. Instead, it is an original game-first portrayal of a storied film franchise.
Although First Light may not revolutionize action-adventure games entirely, it draws heavily from both Hitman—another creation by IO Interactive—and Uncharted in terms of gameplay style. The game cleverly incorporates cinematic elements, such as a classic Bond intro sequence featuring a new song by Lana Del Rey, and employs cinematic tropes like training montages. These familiar movie moments, like Bond being interrogated while tied to a chair, become interactive experiences rather than mere spectacles. The game also leverages traditional gaming elements such as dramatic cutscenes, thrilling action scenes, high-speed car chases, and star-studded cameos, including Lenny Kravitz as a pirate leader with a curious American accent.
The current trend is not only about games adopting cinematic techniques seamlessly but also about films taking cues from gaming. The film adaptation of Exit 8 opens with a first-person scene reminiscent of the game, aiming to “blur the lines between video game and cinema.” Similarly, Markiplier’s Iron Lung film resembles watching a playthrough of the indie horror game. The HBO series The Last of Us is so faithful to its source material that it often feels like a compilation of the game’s cutscenes.
This convergence of media has proven exceptionally beneficial for First Light. Developed by a studio experienced in crafting open-ended action games, they possess a deep understanding of the Bond legacy and how to adapt it successfully into a video game format. This synergy of mediums turns elements like tutorials into experiences that feel as though they have been lifted straight from an action-packed movie.
