The Aston Martin has always been as much a part of James Bond as the tuxedo and the dry martini. So when 007 First Light launched with the iconic Aston Martin Valhalla present but not fully playable as a proper driving experience, it was the one gap fans kept coming back to. That gap is now closing, with a free DLC update that puts you properly behind the wheel.
What the free DLC actually adds
The update centers on expanded vehicle control for the Aston Martin Valhalla, Bond's signature car in 007 First Light. Where the base game used the Valhalla largely in scripted sequences and limited chase segments, the DLC opens up genuine player-driven handling, letting you take the car through missions with the kind of responsive, full-throttle control that Bond fans have wanted since launch.
The Valhalla is a hybrid hypercar in real life, capable of over 1,000 horsepower, and the DLC leans into that identity. Expect tighter cornering physics, gadget integration while driving, and what the developers describe as a "licence to drive" approach that mirrors the game's broader Licence to Kill mechanic.
Free, not a storefront upsell
Here's the thing: this is a no-cost update. Players who already own 007 First Light get the expanded driving content without spending another dollar. That matters in a post-launch environment where vehicle packs and handling upgrades have become reliable paid add-on territory for action games.
The decision to release this as free DLC suggests the developers view it less as bonus content and more as a fix, an acknowledgment that the Valhalla experience at launch was incomplete. Calling it DLC rather than a patch is a branding choice, but the impact is the same: the car finally works the way it should have from day one.
Why this matters for the broader 007 First Light experience
Vehicle handling in spy games is notoriously difficult to get right. Too arcade-y and it undercuts the tension. Too sim-heavy and it fights against the game's action pacing. The original 007 First Light struck a reasonable balance across its on-foot sections, with Patrick Gibson's Bond feeling genuinely athletic and reactive. The driving, by contrast, felt like an afterthought in places.
Getting the Valhalla right is also a statement about the game's long-term support. Post-launch updates that address specific player feedback, delivered free, tend to build the kind of goodwill that keeps a player base active. For a game that already impressed with its voice cast and combat design, shoring up the vehicle gameplay rounds out the package considerably.
If you're coming back to the game after a break, or picking it up fresh, the 007 First Light tips and tricks guide covers the core mechanics you'll want to understand before you take the Valhalla for a proper spin.
