007 First Light has landed, and the racing crowd has understandably been poking at its cars — which, going by Traxion’s hands-on impressions, are more faithful than a Bond spin-off has any right to be. The catch is that the actual driving is over almost before it starts.

For those out of the loop, 007 First Light is a narrative action game built around a younger James Bond, not a racing title. But it does put you behind the wheel, and Traxion reckons the vehicles are surprisingly well observed — recognisable enough that people who know their cars will nod along rather than wince. The problem is quantity: the driving sequences are short, scripted set-pieces rather than anything you’d sink real time into, so the accuracy you’re admiring flashes past in a matter of minutes.

Why it matters to sim racers: it doesn’t, much, and that’s worth saying plainly. This isn’t a sim, it isn’t a racer, and nobody should buy it expecting wheel support or a handling model to master. What’s mildly interesting is the reminder that even studios with no racing pedigree are now bothering to model real cars with some care — the reference material and fidelity have become cheap enough that a stealth-action game can throw in believable machinery as set dressing.

If you were hoping First Light might scratch a driving itch between proper sim sessions, temper that. The cars look the part, but they’re a garnish on someone else’s dish, and the portions are tiny. Treat it as a spy game that happens to have some nicely rendered metal in it, and you won’t be disappointed — go in wanting to actually drive, and you will be.

Originally reported by Traxion.