James Bond is finally back in video games, and it’s not just another movie tie-in. 007 First Light is the James Bond game from IO Interactive, the studio behind the acclaimed Hitman series, and it has delivered on almost every expectation. Whether you’re here for the cast, the editions, the review scores, or just want to know if the new 007 is worth your time, this guide covers it all.
What Is 007 First Light?
007 First Light is a third-person stealth action-adventure game featuring an entirely original James Bond origin story. This isn’t based on any movie. IO Interactive built a fresh narrative from the ground up, which immediately sets it apart from every Bond game that came before it.
The premise follows a 26-year-old James Bond, a Royal Navy air crewman recruited into MI6’s newly revived Double 0 program after a heroic act. He’s resourceful and sometimes reckless, and that tension drives the story. When a mission to stop a rogue agent ends in tragedy, Bond teams up with his reluctant mentor Greenway to unravel a deep conspiracy threatening the state.
Think of it less as a licensed cash grab and more as IO Interactive doing for Bond what they did for the Hitman franchise: making it cinematic, layered, and genuinely fun to replay. Bond gaming has had a rough few decades, and if you want context on just how much the industry has shifted, our piece on how gaming has changed over the last decade covers it well.
Who Developed It?
IO Interactive, the Copenhagen-based studio famous for Hitman: World of Assassination, has worked on this project since 2020, when it was first announced under the working title Project 007. It’s built using their proprietary Glacier engine, the same technology behind Hitman’s dense, interactive levels. The Bond DNA is clearly visible throughout.
007 First Light Release Date
007 First Light launched on May 27, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game was originally scheduled for March 26, 2026, but IO Interactive pushed it back two months for additional polish and refinement. In hindsight, the delay was worth it.
Players who pre-ordered the game received 24-hour early access, meaning some got in as early as May 26, 2026.
When Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Version Coming?
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of 007 First Light was not available at launch. IO Interactive has confirmed it’s coming in Summer 2026, but no specific date has been announced yet.
007 First Light Cast: Who Plays James Bond?
The game features a full cast of voice and motion-capture actors, making it feel closer to a film production than a typical video game.
Patrick Gibson (known from Dexter: Original Sin and The OA) plays James Bond. Gibson brings a younger, more uncertain energy to the role, which fits the origin story perfectly. Critics and players have widely praised his portrayal as a standout performance, easily one of the best in a video game this year.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast rounds out the experience beautifully:
- Priyanga Burford as M
- Alastair Mackenzie as Q
- Kiera Lester as Miss Moneypenny
- Lennie James (Fear the Walking Dead, Save Me) as Greenway, Bond’s mentor
- Noemie Nakai as Miss Roth
Classic characters like M, Q, and Moneypenny appear alongside entirely new faces, which keeps things familiar without being predictable.
Gameplay: What to Expect
If you loved the social stealth of Hitman, you’ll feel right at home. But 007 First Light isn’t just Hitman with a tuxedo. IO Interactive expanded the formula in meaningful ways.
Stealth, Combat, and Gadgets
Missions let you choose your approach, whether you want to ghost through a gala undetected or go loud with firearms and gadgets. When Bond earns his License to Kill, the combat opens up with melee, ranged weapons, and spy tech all in the mix. Every encounter feels unpredictable and personal.
The game also includes driving sequences throughout. High-speed chases and tense vehicular segments add variety to the mission structure. On PC, you’ll want a capable GPU to get the most out of the visuals, and our AMD vs Nvidia GPU comparison can help you decide what’s worth buying right now.
Mission Locations
Missions span multiple global locations, including a covert operation during a chess tournament in Slovakia and an infiltration of a lavish gala in Kensington, London. The world-building feels authentic to the franchise, and the level design is among the most praised aspects of the game.
007 First Light Review Scores: What Critics Say
The game launched to strong critical acclaim. Here’s where it stands across major review platforms:
- Metacritic: 87-88 (varies by platform)
- OpenCritic: 89
That places 007 First Light as the fifth-highest-rated game of 2026 on Metacritic and the highest-rated James Bond game since GoldenEye 007, which sits at a 96. Critics have specifically praised the game’s faithfulness to the Bond character, Patrick Gibson’s performance, level design, narrative writing, combat system, and sandbox gameplay segments.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Several publications gave it perfect or near-perfect scores:
- Gfinity (100/100): Called it an absolute masterpiece and the greatest Bond game ever made, praising how IO Interactive balances explosive action with Hitman-inspired stealth.
- VGC (100/100): Described it as possibly the best James Bond game ever, highlighting how the Bond fantasy is translated into a 14-hour globetrotting epic.
- GameRant (4/5): Said it’s a mostly great start to IO Interactive’s take on the Bond universe, with strong level design and storytelling.
- GamingBible (9/10): Called it exquisite slick spy action and blockbuster storytelling.
The main criticisms across reviews point to the game’s antagonists feeling underdeveloped, some pacing issues in the mid-game, and driving segments that feel less refined than the stealth portions.
What Players Are Saying
Player reception has been largely positive, though more divided than critic scores suggest. On Metacritic’s user reviews, common themes include the following:
What players love:
- The story and how it ties together Bond’s origin
- Patrick Gibson’s performance as a young 007
- The combat system and how it feels responsive
- Cinematic presentation and globetrotting mission variety
Common complaints:
- The game is relatively short for its price point, with some players wanting more content
- Some sections feel too linear compared to Hitman’s open sandbox levels
- Graphics, while good, don’t push next-gen hardware as far as some expected
- The villain and antagonists lack depth
One Metacritic user summed it up well: the first two hours are slow, but the game opens up significantly after that. The consensus is that it’s a very good game, not a flawless one, and an excellent foundation for future entries in the series.
007 First Light Platforms
The game is currently available on:
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store (not sure if your setup is ready). Check our gaming PC buying guide), and Nintendo Switch 2 (coming Summer 2026)
PS5 Pro owners get additional benefits, including PSSR upscaling support and a Quality Mode targeting 60 FPS.
All 007 First Light Editions Explained
There are multiple editions of the game, each targeting a different type of player. Here’s a full breakdown:
Standard Edition: $69.99
The base game across all digital platforms. Pre-orders included a free upgrade to the Deluxe Edition plus 24-hour early access. The Deluxe Edition now costs $79.99 separately at retail.
Specialist Edition: $79.99
The physical version of the game, available through Amazon. Same price as Standard but includes an exclusive Classic Tuxedo skin as a nod to Bond’s iconic look.
007 First Light Collector’s Edition: $199.99
A premium physical bundle for serious fans. Starting at $199.99, it includes display collectibles and exclusive cosmetics. Stock at major retailers has been limited since launch.
007 First Light Legacy Edition: $299.99
The top-tier package for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. At $299.99 / £259.99 / €299.99, it includes:
- The full game (physical disc)
- A Steel Case
- All Deluxe Edition digital content
- A Golden Gun figurine with a stand and secret compartment
- Five golden bullets
- Obsidian Gold Suit outfit
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Exclusive Golden Gun weapon skin
If you’re a long-time James Bond fan and collector, the Legacy Edition is genuinely impressive. Note that it did not include the 24-hour early access perk, which was tied to digital pre-orders only.
Post-Launch Content: Year One Roadmap
IO Interactive has outlined a Year One content plan for 007 First Light that includes new missions, gadget upgrades, new weapons, leaderboard challenges for TacSim mode, and a photo mode. The villain Bawma is also set to return in an upcoming mission.
No specific dates for the year one drop have been confirmed yet, but the studio is clearly treating the title as a long-term live game, similar to how they supported Hitman: World of Assassination over multiple years.
Is 007 First Light Worth Playing?
Yes, and the review scores back that up. 007 First Light is the best Bond game in over a decade and one of the best games of 2026 overall. The story is well-told, Patrick Gibson owns the role, and IO Interactive’s mission design makes every level worth revisiting.
It’s not a perfect game. The driving segments are weaker than the stealth sections, some missions are more linear than Hitman veterans might prefer, and the villain could have been developed further. But as a first entry in what could become a major gaming franchise, it’s an impressive debut.
If you’re on that platform, check out the Nintendo Switch 2 version and look for Year One content drops later in 2026. If you’re looking for other big gaming releases, our breakdown of the GTA 6 PC release date and system requirements is worth a read too.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 007 First Light is not available on Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass. It launched as a full-price standalone purchase on May 27, 2026. There is no confirmed plan to add it to Game Pass anytime soon, and given that it’s one of the biggest releases of 2026, that’s unlikely to change in the near term. Your only options right now are to buy it outright or wait for a sale.
No. 007 First Light is a single-player-only game. IO Interactive confirmed early on that the game focuses entirely on its campaign experience. Online leaderboards are included for TacSim mode, but there are no traditional multiplayer or co-op modes.
The main story campaign runs approximately 14 to 20 hours depending on your playstyle. Players who explore missions thoroughly and go for multiple approaches will get closer to the higher end. It’s not an open-world game, so completionists won’t need hundreds of hours.
No. 007 First Light is a current-gen exclusive. It’s available only on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. There are no plans for a PS4 or Xbox One version.
No. It’s an entirely original story created by IO Interactive, not based on any existing film. The characters like M, Q, and Moneypenny appear, but the plot, villain, and Bond’s origin journey are all new. Think of it as a separate continuity built specifically for games.
Patrick Gibson plays James Bond in 007 First Light. He’s known for his roles in Dexter: Original Sin and The OA. His performance has been widely praised in reviews as one of the standout elements of the game.
