007: First Light reinvents James Bond in his latest gaming adventure, coming in March 2026, with the release date revealed in a new showcase.
A dedicated Sony State of Play presentation gave us the first gameplay reveal of IO Interactive’s 007: First Light, alongside the announcement of its release date: Friday, 27th March 2026. The showcase included a vertical slice of the first mission, deep diving into the blend of gameplay mechanics we will be offered.
Sony’s State of Play Showcases New Bond
Using IO’s Interactive Hitman series as a template, the mission starts with Bond having to infiltrate a high-class social function, using a mixture of distractions and his charm to blend in with the crowd. We are shown an abundance of optional routes to achieve our directive as well, proving that, like the Hitman series, level interactivity has been turned up to eleven.
Although stealth is the primary gameplay mechanic, there will be times when Bond will need to use his combat training. The showcase highlights different ways Bond could get past small groups of guards by either distracting them with gadgets or by a very in-depth hand-to-hand combat system. Bond can parry, push, and deal with multiple combatants at once as well as use the environment to his advantage, creating blinding clouds of smoke or just smashing a guy’s head into a table.
He has a Licence to Kill!
Franchise director Jonathan Lacaillen has stated the Bond won’t be “a mass murderer” but will get a “Licence to Kill” in certain gameplay moments where he pulls out his trusty Walther PPK and enters gunplay. The gunplay looks fantastic, with enemies reacting to where they are being shot and Bond able to blend his guns and fists to disarm opponents. Stray objects in the environment can also be used to create an advantage.
Bond also has his “instincts“, a visual mode which highlights important objects or can slow down time, which needs to recharge between uses. The showcase also teased conversation trees and revealed a high-speed car chase sequence with massive sprawling levels with plenty of exciting set-pieces.
007: First Light is lining up to be a big contender in 2026, blending the stealth gameplay of Hitman and a brand new kinetic combat system, creating an exciting and enjoyable moment-to-moment experience. 007: First Light will drop on 27th March 2026 on most major platforms.
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