007 First Light is an upcoming third-person action-adventure video game developed and published by IO Interactive (the Hitman studio), featuring a standalone, original origin story for a young James Bond.
It's the first major James Bond game since 2012's 007 Legends, licensed from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (under Amazon MGM), and set for release on March 27, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam/Epic), and Nintendo Switch 2.
The "First Light" refers to the major gameplay reveal during Sony's September 2025 State of Play, showcasing over 30 minutes of footage from an early mission—Bond's first field op tracking rogue agent 007 at a World Chess Championship in the Carpathian Mountains (Slovakia).
This hands-off demo (also shown at Gamescom) highlighted stealth infiltration, gadgets, melee combat, gunplay, driving chases, and action set pieces like mid-air fights.
You play as a 26-year-old Bond (voiced/motion-captured by Patrick Gibson of Dexter: Original Sin), starting as a Royal Navy air crewman who earns MI6 recruitment via heroism in Iceland. Described as "resourceful and sometimes reckless," he's not yet a 00 agent ("a bullet without a target") and must prove himself under reluctant mentor John Greenway (Lennie James).
The plot involves hunting rogue 009, uncovering a conspiracy/coup, with globetrotting from Iceland to beaches and mountains.
Gameplay blends Hitman-style open-ended levels (stealth, disguises, environmental kills, multiple paths) with cinematic action (Uncharted-like set pieces, visceral combat, vehicle sections in Aston Martins).
Key mechanics:
- Stealth/Bluffing: Distract guards (e.g., burn leaves for cover), impersonate security, hide in crowds.
- Gadgets (from Q): Laser watch, smoke bombs, dart phone, gleaming lighter/earphones/pen—unlock creative solutions.
- Combat: License to Kill limits lethal force to threats; precise shooting, parries, throws, improvised weapons.
- Replayability: Modifiers for missions; modern-day setting with suits, turtlenecks, and quips.
Cast includes Priyanga Burford (M), Alastair Mackenzie (Q), Kiera Lester (Moneypenny), Gemma Chan (Dr. Selina Tan), Noémie Nakai (Miss Roth). Pre-orders offer a free Deluxe upgrade (outfits, skins, 24-hour early access).
Reception to the First Look is mostly positive—praised for IO's Hitman expertise in sandbox espionage—but some note early jankiness in driving/animations (expected to polish) and debates on the youthful Bond's look. IO aims for a trilogy.
Pre-order available now on PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.
