During the 007 First Light State of Play, IO Interactive not only shared over 30 minutes of gameplay but also announced the game’s release date: March 27, 2026. The third-person action-adventure game is built in-house at IO Interactive using the studio’s Glacier engine and will tell an original, fully reimagined James Bond origin story. The team also revealed the game’s cast: Patrick Gibson as James Bond; Priyanga Burford as M; Alastair Mackenzie as Q; Kiera Lester as Miss Moneypenny; Lennie James as Bond’s mentor, John Greenway; and Noemie Nakai as Miss Roth.
Today’s State of Play showcased gameplay from two missions: one an infiltration of a gala in Kensington, London, and the other a covert operation at a chess tournament in Slovakia. IO Interactive explained that 007 First Light is designed so players can approach objectives however they want through what it calls the Creative Approach. Bond wouldn’t be Bond without a variety of ways to get in and out of sticky situations, so the Creative Approach focuses on different aspects of his skill set: Spycraft, Instinct, Gadgets, and Combat.
Spycraft, as you can imagine, is Bond’s toolkit for eavesdropping on conversations, pickpocketing keycards, and piecing together environmental clues that can open shortcuts or give him a way around a challenge. Instinct relies on Bond’s natural aptitude for quick thinking and adaptability. It’s a limited resource that refills as Bond takes down enemies and completes objectives and it can be used to lure a guard toward him for a quiet takedown or to bluff past someone who’s getting suspicious.
Naturally, James Bond isn’t James Bond without his gadgets from Q Branch. Gadgets are an essential part of his toolkit, and 007 First Light will feature plenty designed to feel like natural extensions of Bond rather than one-off tricks. Finally, combat is being built to feel true to Bond’s character: controlled, efficient, and visceral. Gameplay ranges from precise shooting to up-close fighting, with melee skills including parries, throws, and takedowns.
Another major part of a proper Bond experience is getting behind the wheel and engaging in vehicular mayhem. 007 First Light will feature driving sequences throughout, with high-speed chases and other tense situations.
You’ll be able to grab 007 First Light on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC when it launches on March 27, 2026.
