And what if you could become James Bond for the duration of a video game? 007 First Light, a video game centered on the famed British spy, developed and published by IO Interactive, awaits you on PC, PS5, Xbox Series and via Amazon Games from May 27, 2026. The game is also slated to arrive later on Nintendo Switch 2. This new title offers a fresh take on the Agent 007, as the character’s cinematic future remains up in the air since the end of the Daniel Craig era.
“Follow a young, sharp-witted James Bond — and at times daring — during his MI6 training, and uncover the origin story of the world's most famous secret agent.”
IO Interactive, the studio behind the famous Hitman license, wants to take us on an adventure. This time, players take on the role of the world's most famous spy. The game takes us back to the origins of the James Bond saga, as the 26-year-old secret agent attempts to obtain his 00 status, the famous license to kill... You start out as a naval aircrew member, then are thrust into MI6's most intense program after a brave act, under the supervision of Agent Greenway. The game is being developed in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios.
The ultimate villain in this story is none other than Lenny Kravitz, better known for his music than for his supervillain exploits. The artist takes on the role of Bawma, a brand-new character who controls the black market across the western hemisphere.
On the casting side,Patrick Gibson, known for his roles in Dexter: Original Sin and The OA, has officially confirmed his participation in 007 First Light, taking on the role of James Bond. He has also revealed the team responsible for the voices and performance capture. Fans of the saga will recognize the essential M, played by Priyanga Burford, Q, played by Alastair Mackenzie, and Miss Moneypenny, played by Kiera Lester. The game will also introduce new faces, including John Greenway, Bond's mentor, played by Lennie James (Fear the Walking Dead, Save Me), and Miss Roth, played by Noemie Nakai.
And the gameplay is based on a Creative Approach that gives players the freedom to choose their style: discreet infiltration, direct action or improvisation.Espionage allows you to listen, observe and gather information, whileInstinct offers a tactical resource for trapping opponents, bluffing in the event of detection or improving your accuracy in combat.
Q's gadgets enrich each mission, opening up new possibilities for hacking, lock-picking or diversion, and evolve as you progress. The combat system combines spectacular close-quarter combat, long-distance shooting and climbing, for fluid, personal confrontations that are true to the James Bond universe.
Our take on 007 First Light:
Game tested on PS5 for just over 5 hours
One of fiction’s most recognizable faces—and that’s saying something for a spy—the moment has come for you to step into his shoes. You play a young James Bond, a hot-headed rebel who never misses a chance to poke fun at his superiors. After a disastrous mission, Bond is spotted by MI6 and recruited into a top-secret program. Training, covert ops, high-speed chases and on-the-ground combat—welcome to a globe-trotting action ride from one corner of the world to another.
The tutorial doubles as the training phase, a practical way to learn the game’s mechanics alongside the character. Soon enough you’re thrown into the deep end. The missions flow into cinematic sequences, which are impressively polished. Overall, the experience plays out like a big blockbuster with interactive moments that put the hero in the spotlight. The story is well-crafted, the characters are solid, and you truly feel like you’re on a genuine James Bond adventure.
The gameplay runs smoothly: no downtime between stages, no glitches in the action scenes, and the animation feels polished and reasonably realistic. The world is alive and densely populated, the environments are beautiful, and the game is meticulously finished with a notable attention to detail. It’s a quality title with few obvious flaws.
That said, the game isn’t for everyone. Infiltration is the core mechanic, and there are plenty of battles. Some players will prefer to smash their way through. Nevertheless, the game leans toward a more subtle, thoughtful approach. At times the best strategy is simply waiting for a path to open or for a distraction to arise. Patience is your ally!
Combat also demands skill. You can’t charge in like a brute—the ammo is finite, and you’ll need to move quickly to scoop up more weapons dropped in the fray. Strong shooting skills are essential for certain chapters where you end up facing what feels like an army on your own.
Q’s gadgets are useful… but they can feel overwhelming or clunky at the wrong moment. In the heat of battle, remembering exactly which button to press for the right tool is not always easy.
Overall, this is a genuine success that should especially appeal to 007 fans. It captures the spectacle of a Bond film, packs in plenty of license nods and Easter eggs, and features solid storytelling that fits neatly into the Bond universe.
While you wait to dive into the adventure, you can sharpen your shooting skills by replaying the Hitman saga from the same studio.
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