IO Interactive is bringing James Bond back to gaming by blending Hitman-style systems with cinematic action set pieces. I’m expecting nothing less than a blockbuster.
I’ll be honest: I haven’t really watched a Bond movie properly since Quantum of Solace. That used to be very different. As a kid and teenager, I couldn’t wait for every TV rerun of a classic 007 film. Somewhere along the way, though, the character completely lost me. I can’t even fully explain why. James and I simply drifted apart – until IO Interactive suddenly showed up with a brand-new Bond game.
IOI’s presentation of 007 First Light was one of my personal highlights at last year’s Gamescom. Complete with a red carpet and a private movie theater setup, the developers introduced us to the core gameplay of their Bond adventure, and I tore through my popcorn faster than I did during any Hollywood blockbuster all year. Now the game is getting close to release, and IO has allowed select journalists and content creators to spend a few hours with a preview build. The overall verdict: 007 First Light understands what the Bond brand is all about – elegance, improvisation, and controlled escalation.
At the same time, the studio is attempting a balancing act between open-ended stealth gameplay and heavily scripted cinematic moments. That hybrid approach is exactly what’s driving discussion around the game, and it lines up perfectly with what I experienced at Gamescom. So let’s take a closer look at what’s waiting for you in the new Bond adventure.
007 First Light Preview: A Two-Part Experience
IO Interactive is intentionally pursuing a dual design philosophy. At its core, 007 First Light combines more guided, cinematic sections – similar to linear action-adventure games – with open-ended core missions offering multiple approaches. These “core” segments are best compared to the compact sandbox environments from the Hitman series, where creativity is key. That said, don’t expect the massive scale of a full Hitman level.
Senior Combat Designer Tom Marchum explained in interviews that the goal is to combine the best of both worlds. While Agent 47 operates with cold precision and careful planning, this version of Bond is younger, more impulsive, and constantly on the move. That difference is reflected directly in gameplay: more momentum, more speed, and less static preparation.
The recently shown preview build featured three playable missions: a prologue in Iceland, a training exercise in the Mediterranean, and a gala infiltration in Kensington. The Iceland sequence serves as the introduction. After a failed mission, Bond finds himself stranded and isolated in hostile territory. The area initially feels linear but gradually opens up with alternate routes.
The training mission puts you in the shoes of an MI6 recruit. Without firearms, you’ll need to rescue hostages by using distractions, sneaking past enemies, or silently taking them down. The clear standout so far, however, is the London gala mission. Here, classic stealth mechanics, social deception, and direct confrontation all blend together seamlessly.
“License to Kill” Becomes a Gameplay Mechanic
One of the game’s central systems is the “License to Kill” mechanic, which initially restricts Bond’s actions: as long as enemies aren’t threatening him with deadly force, he cannot use firearms. Only once enemies actively draw weapons does the game shift into a state where shootouts are allowed.
The system pushes players toward deception, close-quarters combat, and environmental manipulation before violence becomes an option. Instead of having unrestricted access to weapons at all times, lethal force is situational.
Bond’s gadgets also play a major role. An analysis tool highlights interactive objects, similar to scanners seen in other action games. On top of that, there are gadgets like a mini laser for cutting locks, smoke modules, and flash tools.
What sounds especially exciting to me is the bluff system. You can pose as authorized personnel as long as your limited instinct resource holds out. It’s reminiscent of Hitman’s “Enforcer” mechanic, where certain characters are quicker to see through your disguise than others. The environment itself also ties heavily into gameplay. For example, you can manipulate a power source and spill water to lure a guard into an electrified trap. Those kinds of chain reactions highlight the systemic depth of the levels.
The Big Concern: How Good Is the Gunplay?
In direct combat, First Light relies on a counter-based melee system reminiscent of the Batman: Arkham games. Parrying, dodging, grappling, and using environmental objects as improvised weapons are all part of Bond’s toolkit. Bond himself looks agile and physically present.
The biggest question mark remains the gunplay – an area where IO Interactive has never truly excelled in Hitman. If early impressions are accurate, that may still be an issue in First Light. Weapons reportedly lack impact, and several previews mention a somewhat imprecise “dash to cover” system that occasionally launches Bond into dangerous positions unintentionally. On the other hand, many players have praised the hit feedback during intense firefights. Opinions are still very mixed at this point.
A True Blockbuster Presentation
Visually, 007 First Light made a strong impression on me. The upgraded Glacier Engine delivers highly detailed environments ranging from bleak snowy landscapes to lavish gala halls. IO has also confirmed that the PC version will support NVIDIA technologies like DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation.
The animations feel convincing, and Patrick Gibson portrays a younger Bond whose charm comes largely from his immaturity and youthful energy. The music and voice acting shown so far also sound excellent.
The Story: An Inexperienced Bond on the Road to 007
First Light is the first Bond game to focus on an inexperienced version of the character. Instead of a seasoned superspy, IO Interactive centers the story around a 26-year-old recruit who still has to earn his double-0 status. The team deliberately drew inspiration from Ian Fleming’s novels rather than copying the movies. Key conflicts reportedly revolve around Bond’s mentor figure John Greenway and the hunt for a rogue agent.
This direction also allows IO to create its own interpretation of Bond without being tied to well-known actors – something IO CEO Hakan Abrak has described in interviews as a major creative advantage. According to the developers, the campaign will run around 20 hours. Completionists aiming for collectibles and full runs should expect closer to 40 hours.
On top of that, the game includes a “Tactical Simulator” mode where players can replay missions with modifiers, earn experience points, and climb leaderboards. It’s a mode that suggests IO is planning for long-term replayability.
Preview: Our Impression on 007 First Light
007 First Light has the potential to become one of the biggest blockbuster games of the year. Everything shown so far – from its cinematic presentation to its gameplay depth – makes it incredibly exciting. Still, we’ll have to wait and see whether all of its systems truly come together smoothly and whether this younger Bond can avoid falling into overly conventional gameplay patterns.
What we like:
- top-tier cinematic presentation
- varied and memorable locations
- multiple ways to complete objectives
- a fresh new face for 007
Things to keep an eye on:
- vehicle handling and gameplay quality in car, boat, and chase sequences
- gunplay has traditionally been a weak point in IOI games
- will the game’s systems stay smooth, engaging, and varied all the way through?
