PlayStation’s latest State of Play gave us a fresh look at IO Interactive’s upcoming James Bond game, and it gave me hope that this could be the true successor to Naughty Dog’s long-dormant Uncharted series.
After watching the 30-minute gameplay preview from IO Interactive, I realized this might even surpass what Uncharted achieved. Here are my thoughts:
Young Bond as a Character
The most refreshing aspect of First Light is how this version of Bond is younger compared to the portrayals we’ve seen in other media. Patrick Gibson’s Bond feels unique, giving us a young, snarky take on the usually nonchalant and brooding character we’ve come to know from recent films. There might be a few issues with this version of Bond from franchise purists, but this risk was expected.
In many ways, he channels the same personality as Nathan Drake from Uncharted, pulling out random banter and acting impulsively when it comes to following missions by the book. I see this as a win, since it adds humor to a game rooted in serious spycraft and politics.
With Nathan Drake’s story seemingly finished, Uncharted doesn’t yet have a new protagonist to carry the torch. 007: First Light’s James Bond, however, has plenty of room to grow, especially since this is an origin story. That opens the door for future entries if the series becomes successful for IO Interactive, eventually leading to the Bond we already know.
Following their approach with the Hitman games, IO could add missions and targets each season, making it a live-service alternative to Uncharted with new story arcs and blockbuster set pieces.
READ: 007 First Light Legacy Edition Will Include A Real-Size Golden Gun For A Steep Price
Big, Explosive Sequences
007: First Light feels like a Bond film turned into a video game. From the aeroplane scene alone, it felt similar to the skydive scene with Roger Moore in Moonraker, combined with the plane sequence from Uncharted 3. We will likely see more of these moments throughout the game, with IO crafting unique set pieces for every major target. Bond could find himself doing impossible stunts on land, at sea, or in the air, depending on the mission.
The impossible stunts are something I always loved about Uncharted, where Nathan Drake would survive outrageous situations with his signature plot armor. IO Interactive has the opportunity to take inspiration from Naughty Dog’s big and explosive set pieces.
What 007: First Light Has That Uncharted Doesn’t
One of Uncharted’s weaknesses is its linearity. Nathan Drake usually just moves from point A to point B with a light puzzle in between. 007: First Light has the edge here, as it seems to embrace IO’s Hitman-style gameplay with multiple ways to complete objectives. According to a recent interview with Videogameschronicle, IO mentioned there will still be fast-paced linear encounters, but players will also face sandbox-style missions that encourage choice and creativity.
Overall, both 007: First Light and Uncharted share the same DNA with their snarky main characters, action sequences, and a familiar third-person shooter gameplay. Uncharted. It remains a phenomenal series. With the franchise currently on hold, though, First Light could be the perfect alternative for players looking to scratch that blockbuster third-person action itch. And if this version of James Bond has all the qualities that players love, we might see further iterations of this character in the future.
For more like this, stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com, the best website for gaming features.