Before the next James Bond movie hits theaters, and even before the next James Bond novel hits bookstores, in early 2026, 007 fans will meet a brand-new version of the immortal secret agent. And, at the same time, we’ll also get to become Bond. The first major James Bond video game in over a decade is finally coming, and developer IO Interactive and studio Amazon MGM have dropped some big news.
Not only do we have an extended look at the gameplay in a new trailer, but the cast and release date for 007 First Light have also been confirmed. Read on and prepare to be shaken and stirred.
007 First Light Gameplay trailer
As an all-new, original take on James Bond, the story and world are unique to 007 First Light. Set in the modern day, the player takes control of a younger, less experienced James Bond as he makes his way through a complicated mission that involves tracking down rogue agent 009.
IO Interactive, the developer behind the game, has just released two videos showing off the actual gameplay in 007 First Light. One is a 2-minute teaser, while another is over 30 minutes long and features extended gameplay of what the game actually looks and plays like on a PlayStation.
The longer trailer is super interesting because it really digs deep into the mechanics of the game, including the fact that this Bond gaming experience will be as much about solving a mystery as it is about fighting, shooting, and driving cars real fast. Essentially, there’s never been a Bond game quite like this; something that merges the action with the slow-burning thriller feeling of the books.
Here’s how IO Interactive describes the gameplay:
“At the core of 007 First Light’s gameplay is the Creative Approach. Using its expertise in the spy fantasy genre, IO Interactive developed a Bond experience that allows players to take on objectives using different sets of skills, from pure stealth, direct action, or using a bit of both with some improvisation:
- Spycraft ensures that stealth and observation are just as powerful as any weapon in Bond’s arsenal. From eavesdropping on key conversations and pickpocketing vital items, to inspecting the environment for hidden clues and gathering critical information, these mechanics open new pathways and opportunities in every mission.
- Instinct is a signature gameplay feature in 007 First Light, giving players a versatile resource to turn the tide in any situation. Bond can use his instincts to lure enemies into vulnerable positions, bluff his way out of suspicion when discovered, or sharpen his focus for greater precision and power in combat. This mechanic captures Bond’s quick thinking and adaptability, allowing players to respond to changing circumstances with style and control.
- Gadgets from Q Branch are a core part of Bond’s toolkit in 007 First Light, woven directly into moment-to-moment gameplay. From hacking and cutting locks to creating distractions or incapacitating targets, these versatile tools open up new possibilities for stealth, misdirection, and tactical improvisation in any mission. Players will unlock new gadgets as they progress through the missions, which will expand their loadout and strategies to deal with the challenges they will have to face.
- Combat in 007 First Light is designed to be fast, fluid, and true to Bond’s character, blending precision ranged shooting, visceral and impactful melee encounters, and a unique escalation system that reflects his measured use of force. In close quarters, Bond can deliver dynamic takedowns, throws, and parries that feel weighty and cinematic, often using the environment to his advantage. When enemies escalate to lethal force, Bond is granted his License to Kill, unlocking his expert marksmanship with firearms that can be seamlessly integrated into the flow of action. This interplay between ranged and melee combat, which integrates Bond’s gadgets, ensures every confrontation feels personal, responsive, and grounded in the 007 fantasy.”
007 First Light James Bond actor confirmed
As previously reported, Dexter: Original Sin star Patrick Gibson will play a young, newly minted James Bond in First Light, which seems to have echoes of Anthony Horowitz’s Forever and a Day, the James Bond prequel novel from 2018. Gibson’s take even incorporates a mild scar on Bond’s cheek, a clear nod to how the character is described in the various novels from Ian Fleming, Horowitz, Kim Sherwood, and others.
As the gameplay footage dropped, Patrick Gibson (also known as Paddy Gibson) posted to Instagram, saying: “Working with IO Interactive and Amazon MGM to bring a fresh take on this iconic character’s origin story has been an unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait for you all to play it.”
The rest of the cast for the game also includes:
- M (Priyanga Burford)
- Q (Alastair Mackenzie)
- Miss Moneypenny (Kiera Lester)
- John Greenway (Lennie James)
- Miss Roth (Noemie Nakai)
Longtime fans are, of course, familiar with the various versions of M, Q, and Moneypenny, but Greenway and Miss Roth are new characters, created for this origin story. Greenway is specifically described as “Bond’s mentor.”
007 First Light Release Date
007 First Light will be released on March 27, 2026. It will be playable for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
If you preorder the game now, you get extra digital outfits for Bond, which include his Naval Uniform (seen in the Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan eras) as well as his Day of the Dead Skeleton disguise, straight from Daniel Craig’s Spectre.
You can find out more about the game here, including how to preorder.
Related: The Next James Bond Installment Has Finally Confirmed a Title and Release Date
