Preview: Why 007 First Light Is the Most Exciting Game of 2026

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007 First Light’s debut demo left us both shaken and stirred.

After watching Sony’s recent State of Play presentation, you might find yourself catching your breath. Over the past week, we’ve had time to reflect on our reactions to IO Interactive’s latest announcement. In essence, this upcoming game, scheduled for release on March 27th, is currently at the top of our list of most anticipated PS5 games.

Alright, let’s set the scene here: I’m a greenhorn 00 agent, stepping into the shoes of the suave James Bond I’ll one day be. At Gamescom, we got a sneak peek behind closed doors from that Danish developer, but now it’s clear as day – our primary antagonist in this original tale is none other than 009, an old-school MI6 veteran who’s mastered every trick in the book.

In this scenario, what makes it intriguing is that we’ve seen James Bond transform into the formidable agent he is through multiple films and Ian Fleming’s novels. Yet, the question remains: How will a novice manage to conquer such insurmountable challenges? The answer to that awaits in the upcoming release.

On our tour, we were transported to a charming mountain lodge reminiscent of a castle in the scenic Carpathian Mountains. Since IO Interactive identified it as Slovakia, this marked the beginning of our passport-stamped travels around the world. They also hinted at Iceland and other locations.

In this scenario, a chess tournament is happening inside the hotel, and Bond is driving them around, serving as a chauffeur. His task isn’t infiltration – he has contacts within MI6 who will handle that aspect – but since Bond is the daring rogue from the films, it won’t take him long to jump headfirst into the thick of things.

007 First Light starts with a significant focus on driving, allowing you to take control of a limousine and enjoy the surroundings. Cruising along is where most of the game’s missions goals are introduced in an organic manner, through captivating conversations.

As I, the spy, observe some suspicious actions by one of the shady staff members, it’s then that the DNA of IO Interactive’s Hitman kicks in. Impulsive and restless, I decide to defy orders and delve deeper into the mystery – and it’s hinted that there are numerous methods at my disposal, more than a handful to choose from.

The ensuing covert operation, reminiscent of Agent 47 or Bond, finds him discovering an open window into the building, yet this section is bustling with people and rigorously guarded. Luckily, a garden hose, lighter, and wheelbarrow full of leaves serve as handy solutions to most issues – thus we witness Bond meddling with the water system and igniting the abandoned foliage to generate a diversion.

In Hitman, the intricate puzzles are what the game is all about. But in this new game, they’ll just be a part of the larger puzzle. Although we’ve been told that it will still offer plenty of depth and chances to try out different approaches, it’s unclear if the levels will retain their replayability once there’s more focus on action.

Stepping into the edifice, the building evoked memories of the Parisian mansion featured in Hitman: World of Assassination; the intricacy was astounding, with each room and passageway giving an impression of purpose, from the bar in the entrance hall to the private chambers of the guests.

In Bond’s case, he manages to communicate with certain staff members to gather hints. Meanwhile, during the development process, they kept the main parts of the mission hidden for our demonstration. However, it becomes clear that all aspects of the Hitman strategy will be fully revealed as you piece together the mystery behind the estate’s secrets.

Previously hinted at, this game deviates from just being another version of Hitman. As the story progresses, James Bond is involved in a thrilling high-speed chase, accompanied by an American ally with a shared objective. The developing dynamics between these two characters throughout the mission will be intriguing to observe.

Additionally, it will be equally intriguing to sense the rhythm of these driving scenes since the studio hasn’t ventured into such territory extensively in the past. If proper attention and resources haven’t been dedicated to the vehicle dynamics, this could potentially become a vulnerable area in the production.

Straightforwardly, we’re wondering about the level of control you’ll truly have over the car, given that the sequences seem quite linear – they remind us of the iconic jeep chase scene in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. It appears that Bond is being directed along a road leading to an airport, where the foot-chase action shifts.

What truly left us astonished is that IO Interactive managed to create something extraordinary in the realm of third-person shooter games. They’ve previously developed titles like Freedom Fighters for the PS2 and Kane & Lynch for the PS3, but this particular work stood out as a remarkable spectacle.

Upon stepping foot at the airport, I find myself thrust into a high-stakes firefight, swiftly maneuvering behind various concealments while taking down opponents. The scene resembles something straight out of Uncharted, yet it’s exponentially more turbulent, with nearby fuel containers detonating, igniting colossal blazes in the distance.

In addition to its unique combat capabilities, Bond is equipped with customized fighting sequences. As he charges into foes, he somersaults over obstacles while engaging in hand-to-hand combat. The spectacle appears quite dynamic and thrilling – the kind of action one might anticipate if Uncharted had already launched a native PS5 version by now.

007’s troubles don’t stop there; instead, he pursues a jet along the runway utilizing boarding stairs. Once airborne, he eliminates a few more enemies on the plane’s wing. The ensuing action then moves to an inside shootout within the aircraft. In a daring move, Bond grabs a parachute from a falling adversary and leaps back to earth.

One interesting aspect of the aircraft scene is that James takes over the flight controls, requiring you to manually adjust the plane’s balance as you explore its interior. The developer hinted that there are numerous single-use mechanics similar to this in the complete game, so we’re eager to discover more innovative elements hidden throughout the campaign.

This is simply the beginning. IO Interactive appears to be unveiling this initial stage because it showcases all of the key mechanics they’ve developed so far. However, we can easily imagine that some stages might emphasize stealth similar to Hitman, while others could focus more on action.

We’re eager to find out how often we can replay the game: one of the standout features of Hitman was being able to revisit the same stage multiple times, refining your understanding of its mechanics as you went along. Given the introduction of action and car chases in this version, it makes us ponder if these elements will still be engaging over time, while we delve into the various sandbox environments.

Currently, 007 First Light by IO Interactive stands out as one of the most eagerly awaited PS5 games, leaving little doubt about its high anticipation level. By skillfully combining elements from Hitman and the thrill of James Bond, they’ve certainly created a recipe for excitement that’s hard to beat. Whether 007 First Light will prove successful remains to be seen, but given IO Interactive’s track record, it seems poised to deliver an exceptional experience that players won’t soon forget.

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2025-09-03 22:07