007 First Light: Everything You Need to Know Before Launch

IO Interactive's James Bond game, 007 First Light, is set to release on May 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is also in the works but has been pushed to later in the summer.

This is not a sequel or a tie-in to any existing Bond film. It is a completely original narrative built around a younger, rougher version of the iconic MI6 agent.

IO Interactive, the studio best known for the Hitman: World of Assassination series, is behind the wheel here.

The project was first announced back in 2020 under the working title Project 007. After years of development and a delay from its original March window, May 27 is now the confirmed date.

What Is 007 First Light Actually About?

Players step into the shoes of a 26-year-old James Bond, voiced and modelled after Dexter actor Patrick Gibson. This Bond is not the composed, tuxedo-wearing operative the world has come to know. He is reckless, cocky, and still finding his footing as a new MI6 recruit. The central mission involves chasing down a rogue agent known as 009, who is always one step ahead. That pursuit takes Bond across multiple global locations, from Malta to nightclubs, rooftops, open plazas, and beyond.

The tone aims for something that feels fresh while still honouring the legacy of Ian Fleming's work. As per IO Interactive, the team worked with British writers, consultants, and licence partners to ensure cultural authenticity, especially in capturing a younger Bond's voice. Classic characters including M, Q, and Moneypenny return in reimagined forms, and several new characters have been added to the mix.

Gameplay: More Than Just Hitman With a Tuxedo

The gameplay draws clear inspiration from the Hitman series, but IO has built something noticeably distinct here. There is stealth, gadget use, social infiltration, and the option to go in loud if things fall apart. But 007 First Light also adds more cinematic momentum, set-piece driven sequences, and a combat system that reportedly takes cues from Batman: Arkham and Uncharted.

Bond can drive cars and pilot boats throughout the campaign. Vehicle use is tied to story pacing and mission design rather than an open-world setup, so do not expect a free-roam driving sandbox. One of the early mission areas, Malta, even features a dedicated driving training sequence.

A "Focus" mechanic lets Bond slow down time to line up precise shots or disarm enemies. There is also a bluffing system, where Bond can talk his way out of being spotted using a resource called Instinct. It does not always work, and tougher enemies called "watchers" can resist it entirely.

Gadgets are designed to feel practical and plausible. Items like a watch, lighter, or phone serve as both everyday objects and covert tools. Bond also earns a silencer for his service pistol as part of the story. Players do not manually attach or swap weapon attachments; those are tied to specific weapons found during the campaign.

Launch Times: When Does It Go Live?

Digital pre-orders get 24 hours of early access starting May 26. Here are the early access and standard launch times:

• Global (BST – British Summer Time): 3:00 PM

• Los Angeles (PDT – Pacific Daylight Time): 7:00 AM

• Dallas (CDT – Central Daylight Time): 9:00 AM

• New York (EDT – Eastern Daylight Time): 10:00 AM

• São Paulo (BRT – Brasília Time): 11:00 AM

• London (BST – British Summer Time): 3:00 PM

• Paris (CEST – Central European Summer Time): 4:00 PM

• Berlin (CEST – Central European Summer Time): 4:00 PM

• Istanbul (TRT – Turkey Time): 5:00 PM

• Dubai (GST – Gulf Standard Time): 6:00 PM

• Beijing (CST – China Standard Time): 10:00 PM

• Seoul (KST – Korea Standard Time): 11:00 PM

• Tokyo (JST – Japan Standard Time): 11:00 PM

• Sydney (AEST – Australian Eastern Standard Time): 12:00 AM

• Auckland (NZST – New Zealand Standard Time): 2:00 AM

  
  

Editions and Pricing

Standard Edition ($69.99): The base game. Available physically for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Switch 2. PC is digital only via Steam and Epic Games Store. Pre-ordering the standard edition automatically upgrades you to the Deluxe DLC pack at no extra cost.

Specialist Edition ($79.99): Includes the standard game with additional cosmetic content.

Collector's Edition ($149.99): Adds physical goodies and extra DLC content.

Legacy Edition ($299.99): The top-tier option. It includes the game on steelbook disc, a Golden Gun figurine with a stand and secret compartment, a certificate of authenticity, the Deluxe DLC pack, and exclusive skins including the Golden Gun and Obsidian Gold suit. Available at Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart for both PS5 and Xbox.

Pre-Order Bonus: What Do You Get?

Pre-ordering any digital edition of 007 First Light gets you the following:

• 24-hour early access (digital only)

• Deluxe Edition DLC Pack: 4 exclusive outfits (Day of the Dead, Desert Explorer, Silent Anchor, Gentleman Operator)

• Agent's Mark weapon skin

• Gleaming Gadget Skin Pack: Gleaming Lighter, Gleaming Earphones, Gleaming Dart Gun, and Gleaming Pen

There is also a limited-edition 007 First Light DualSense PS5 controller available separately for $84.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, PS Direct, Target, and GameStop.

The Cast: Who Is Playing Who?

007 First Light brings together a strong ensemble of voice and motion capture talent.

• James Bond: Patrick Gibson (Dexter: Original Sin, Shadow and Bone)

• M: Priyanga Burford (No Time To Die, Industry)

• Q: Alastair Mackenzie (Andor, The Crown)

• Miss Moneypenny: Kiera Lester (Death in Paradise, Wreck)

• John Greenway (Bond's mentor): Lennie James (The Walking Dead, Blade Runner 2049)

• Miss Roth: Noemie Nakai (Tokyo Vice)

• Selina Tan: Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians, Captain Marvel, Marvel's Eternals)

• Bawma (villain): Lenny Kravitz

The official title sequence features an original song called "First Light," written and composed by Lana Del Rey and David Arnold.

FAQs

Is there multiplayer? No. 007 First Light is strictly a single-player experience.

Are there multiple story endings? No. The narrative has a set ending. Players can choose different approaches and routes within missions, but the overall story outcome does not change.

Does the game have Denuvo DRM on PC? Yes. The PC version launches with Denuvo Anti-Tamper, which has drawn some criticism from the community.

Does it support NVIDIA DLSS? Yes. DLSS 4.5 is supported, including Super Resolution and Dynamic Multi-Frame Generation. Ray tracing and Ray Reconstruction are also supported, with the latter arriving post-launch.

What storage space is required? A minimum of 80GB on an SSD is required for PC. Console space requirements have not been confirmed yet.

Is a demo planned? No. There are currently no plans for a demo.

Is there mod support? No official mod support is planned at launch.

Are PS5 adaptive triggers and haptics supported? Yes. The PS5 version supports adaptive triggers and stereoscopic haptics. These features also work on PC when using a wired PS5 controller.

Will Bond drive classic cars? The DB5 is not in the game. However, confirmed vehicles include the 1971 Aston Martin DBS V8, the Aston Martin Valhalla, plus cars from Land Rover and Jaguar.

Can save files transfer across platforms? Full save files cannot be transferred between platforms. Some online progression elements, such as challenges, may carry over.