Today, I/O Interactive gave fans a fresh look at what they can expect from the recently announced 007-based video game, 007 First Light. The Sony State of Play livestream revealed to fans how the iconic MI6 agent will play in First Light, in the middle of one of the missions fans can play in-game.
We are first introduced to our hero and his handler, Mom, while driving through the countryside towards a large castle gate doubling as the hotel Bond must infiltrate. It’s made apparent that the developers wanted to focus on the finer details when crafting this fresh Bond experience; the countryside is alive, and locations are flushed with greenery and cobblestone roads. As the car rolls on, you can hear the car stumble over these paved cobblestones, bringing driving a car in First Light an immersive touch. In case you missed it, the entire gameplay segment can be seen below.
Banter heard in the car between James Bond and his operator (referred to as Mom) details the plan once James gets in position. After witnessing a hotel staff member throw a suspicious piece of luggage (likely a body) over the edge of a railing into the water below, Bond is heard quipping in traditional Ian Fleming flair, “Not exactly the 5-star treatment.” He then says he will check it out, going against Mom’s orders (as James Bond is known to do).
When Bond cautiously approaches security, he can make an excuse that he forgot his press badge to get in, but security isn’t as lax here, so players will have to find another way in or a badge that grants access. Like the newest I/O Interactive Hitman titles, Bond can interact with the environment and turn on a water hose as a distraction for security to infiltrate the interior of the hotel. After putting a member of hotel staff to sleep and creating a distraction, Bond can hop a railing and channel his inner Nathan Drake by scaling the walls to make his way inside.
Movement appears smooth, and James can activate a type of ‘Witcher Sense’ (in 007 First Light, it’s called Instinct) to see notable objects and targets around the atmosphere, which helps the player find what they have to during missions. In the lower left of the screen, a compass can be seen highlighted with the “Q-LAB” moniker in 007 First Light, showing the developers aren’t afraid to make this not only a new Bond experience, but one that pays its dues to everything 007 that precedes it. Q also plays a big role in-game, outfitting James with many of the gadgets he can use, including the iconic explosive watch.
In traditional 007 fashion, James can strike up a conversation with a bartender to find intel about his target and case a scene before confrontation. The gameplay segment fast forwards to a car chase scene, and Bond is seen racing through the idyllic countryside in a muscle car, speeding on the road and off the road to chase a fleeing target.
Like in the Daniel Craig Bond films, James can take many shortcuts (regardless of the damage he commits to the locals’ livelihoods) to continue effectively pursuing his mark. While jumping off a truck that is conveniently shaped like a ramp (think of a GTA stunt jump), 007 soars through the air (with iconic remixed 007 First Light music in the background) in slow motion just like the films, allowing players to play the agent during more exciting chase sequences as seen in Bond films.
The first enemy Bond encounters in the 007 First Light State of Play is confronted in a familiar circular tube, set in slow motion, honouring the iconic opening scene of each of the films. Bond isn’t a murderous maniac in the films or books, and I/O Interactive makes it known he isn’t one here.
After drawing a sidearm and confronting an enemy who is about to shoot, the screen lets the player know it’s okay to kill by saying “License to Kill” across the front of the screen. A good reminder Bond can’t kill and walk, and a cheeky nod to the film of the same name. The developers really wanted this to feel like a living, breathing Bond film you can play.
After confronting many enemies in a gunfight, Bond can hilariously throw his gun at an enemy to stun them when out of ammo, a great purist move for any Bond film or Fleming novel. After getting aboard a cargo plane, Bond’s mission is to locate Agent 009 (although we don’t know why just yet). After James is thrown from the plane, the iconic film title screen appears, effectively ending the first gameplay look of 007 First Light.
I/O Interactive detailed during the gameplay segments that Bond will have many ways to approach each scenario in 007 First Light, just like in I/O’s critically acclaimed Hitman series. Bond can sneak, take down adversaries, and talk his way out of combat scenarios when he’s able in 007 First Light. Fans will also be able to rush in ‘guns blazing,’ but chances are, if the odds are stacked against Bond, using every other method might be a better option.
007 First Light features a notable cast headed by Patrick Gibson (Dexter: Original Sin) as the titular 007. The rest of the ensemble features: Lenny James (The Walking Dead) as Bond’s mentor Greenway, Priyanga Burford (No Time To Die) as Mom, Alastair McKenzie (Andor) as Q, Kiera Lester (Ruby Speaking) as Moneypenny, and Noemie Nakai as Ms. Roth
After the State of Play concluded, it’s safe to say I/O Interactive was keen on crafting a new Bond experience with 007 First Light, while retaining the identity of 007 films and the novels penned by Ian Fleming. 007 First Light revealed its launch date; it’s set to release on March 27, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, and is available for pre-order starting today.
Fans can also pre-order a collector’s edition dubbed the 007 First Light Legacy Edition, and it will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC for $299.99. It includes the full game, the Deluxe Edition content, an Exclusive Golden Gun weapon skin, the Obsidian Gold Suit outfit, a Golden Gun Figurine with Stand & Secret Compartment, a Certificate of Authenticity, and a Steel Case with Magnet. Fans looking for more info can head to the official I/O Interactive website.
