Can You Still Play 007 First Light for Free? Library Game Borrowing Is Taking Off

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A player on Reddit has reminded others of a low-cost way to try new games: check the local public library first. In the post, the user said they were able to borrow physical console games for free through their library, and even got the library to purchase 007 First Light and Existential Substance after submitting requests. The post also drew a wave of similar stories in the comments, where many other players shared their own experiences borrowing games and Blu-ray movies.

What makes the post notable is how easy this option is to miss. The poster said that, like many players, they had long assumed libraries only carried books. Only after emailing library staff did they learn that the collection actually included a large number of recent Blu-ray films and physical console games. The problem was not a lack of stock, but that these items were kept in less visible areas that ordinary visitors could easily overlook.

The more useful point is how different this is from the usual cost-cutting advice. Most players trying to save money think in retail terms: wait for a sale, buy used, or juggle subscriptions. Libraries offer something simpler: access instead of ownership. For story-driven console games, one-and-done releases, or anything you expect to finish once and move on from, that model makes a lot of sense, especially for players who want to sample a game without paying full price.

The practical part is simple too. If you are unsure what your local branch carries, call or email and ask. If the game you want is not in the collection yet, you can submit a purchase request. According to the post, libraries do add titles based on reader requests. The poster did exactly that for 007 First Light and Existential Substance, and the library followed through with the purchases. They then became the first person at their branch to borrow both games.

The replies matter too. Plenty of players in the comments said they had borrowed games or Blu-rays from their own libraries, suggesting this is not a one-off oddity, but a service that already works in many parts of Europe and North America. The shared reaction was straightforward: the cheapest nearby content library may not be a digital storefront, but the local library.

If your local library offers the same service, the takeaway is simple. Before you buy, check the catalog. For console players in particular, once physical game borrowing is an option, a lot of maybe-buys turn into easy try-first decisions. And even if the title you want is not there yet, putting in a request still costs you nothing. If it works, you are not just getting a free rental — you are also helping put your own interests on the shelves.