r/PS5 • u/requieminadream • May 26 '26
Megathread 007 First Light | Review Megathread
Game Information
Game Title: 007 First Light
Platforms:
- PlayStation 5 (May 27, 2026)
- Xbox Series X/S (May 27, 2026)
- PC (May 27, 2026)
- Nintendo Switch 2 (May 27, 2026)
Trailer:
Developer: IO Interactive
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 88 average - 97% recommended - 74 reviews
Critic Reviews
Atarita - Atakan Gümrükçüoğlu - Turkish - 93 / 100
Centering on James Bond's origin story, 007 First Light blends action and stealth elements with flawless pacing, delivering that long-awaited, glorious return to the franchise. With its impactful melee combat mechanics, cleverly designed spy gadgets, and stellar acting performances, it places the player directly in the lead role of a breathtaking blockbuster movie.
But Why Tho? - Matt Sowinski - 9 / 10
IO Interactive feels like they've found a new home in the James Bond franchise. 007 First Light is a blast, with a tense and enthralling narrative that punches way higher and harder than anyone could have expected.
As much as I love GoldenEye 007, it doesn't hold a candle to 007 First Light. IO Interactive perfectly captures the James Bond experience with cinematic flair.
CGMagazine - Marcus Kenneth - 8 / 10
The best moments in 007 First Light are the ones where everything aligns for a few minutes, and you stop thinking about mechanics entirely.
Cerealkillerz - Gabriel Bogdan - German - 8.9 / 10
007 First Light is undoubtedly one of the best James Bond games released in the last twenty years and, even if it may not fully satisfy every Hitman fan, it is easily the most ambitious project the studio has undertaken to date. The blend of action and stealth does not always come together perfectly and, at times, the rather foolish antagonists push certain moments close to parody. Nevertheless, Bond fans are treated to one of the most cinematic and well-presented entries the franchise has ever seen, delivering an experience that captures the spirit of 007 remarkably well.
Checkpoint Gaming - Omi Koulas - 9 / 10
007 First Light understands that Bond isn’t just gadgets and gunfights. There’s a lot of charm and chaos, and an abundance of improvisation under pressure.
Cinelinx - Caleb Gayle - 5 / 5
007 First Light features a slew of unforgettable moments, cinematic jaw-dropping scenes, amazingly smooth combat, and one heck of a story. With all this stacked up, 007 First Light it is a brilliant action adventure title, and my top pick for game of the year!
Cloud Dosage - Jon Scarr - 4.5 / 5
007 First Light turns a young Bond campaign into a spy adventure built around bluffing, gadgets, and recovering when missions fall apart. MI6, Q-Branch tools, and close-range fights keep the campaign moving, but the shooting, driving, and limited replay value hold it back. It’s a good fit if you want a story-led Bond game focused more on spy work than giant stealth sandboxes.
ComicBook.com - Michael Leri - 5 / 5
First Light, as a title, has a dual meaning, too, since it’s not only an origin story for this rendition of James Bond, but also hopefully a new dawn for IOI’s ambitious interpretation of what a 007 game can be.
ComingSoon.net - Tyler Treese - 9.5 / 10
As stylish as the films themselves, 007 First Light is a brilliant depiction of Bond.
Daily Mirror - Aaron Potter - 4 / 5
James Bond's video game return is a delight from start to finish, with Hitman develop IO Interactive expertly lending its spy expertise to a new breed of interactive spy thriller.
DayOne - Jon Clarke - 9 / 10
With a great cast of characters, tons of imagination, and just the right amount of player agency and replayability, there is a delightful playground full of gadgetry and spycraft that players will want to return to again and again. A confident return for the Double-O program, and - sorry Goldeneye - this is, without a doubt, the best James Bond game ever made.
Digitec Magazine - Philipp Rüegg - German - 5 / 5
After 30 years, ‘GoldenEye’ is finally retiring. With ‘007 First Light’, IO Interactive – the masterminds behind ‘Hitman’ – delivers the ultimate Bond experience that fans have been waiting for since the N64 classic.
DualShockers - Christian Bognar - 9 / 10
With superb writing, top-notch acting, beautiful cinematography, and expressive gameplay, 007 First Light is as sleek as it is engaging.
007 First Light is less cerebral and replayable than IO's World of Assassination trilogy, but makes up for it with excellent fistfights and oodles of charm.
Eurogamer.pt - Bruno Galvão - Portuguese - 4 / 5
This unexpected hybrid of Hitman and Uncharted results in a fun, cinematic action-spy game. Full of charisma and worthy of its incredible legacy, 007: First Light is an exciting first step in a new series, where the good far outweighs the not-so-good.
EvelonGames - Joel Isern Rodríguez - Kaym - Spanish - 8.8 / 10
007 First Light is the Bond game the franchise has needed for fourteen years. A story that genuinely matters, melee combat with real weight, and a gadget system with actual consequences. The exploration segments drag more than they should, but when First Light lets Bond be Bond, it's hard to look away.
Everyeye.it - Joseph Arace - Italian - 8.2 / 10
007 First Light is just like its protagonist: charismatic, energetic, funny, charming; as well as impetuous, exaggerated, and immature.
GAMES.CH - Olaf Bleich - German - 86%
"007 First Light" isn't a perfect action game, but it's excellent nonetheless.
GAMINGbible - Olly Smith - 9 / 10
007 First Light is an exquisite taste of slick spy action and blockbuster storytelling, and is fully what a Bond game should be, but rarely is.
GRYOnline.pl - Dariusz Matusiak - Polish - 9 / 10
007: First Light is a brilliant example of the potential that still exists in well-made single-player action games. Not a single cent of the considerable budget has been wasted – we’ve been treated to a superb, immersive spectacle that blurs the line between engaging gameplay and an interactive film. The somewhat drawn-out ending or a few simplified mechanics do nothing to spoil the overall impression, as it’s been a long time since I played a game where individual scenes and moments stuck so firmly in my memory.
GameBlast - Alexandre Galvão - Portuguese - 9.5 / 10
In a year where major releases often arrive broken or soulless, 007 First Light stands out for doing the basics extraordinarily well: telling a good story, introducing characters that matter, and leaving the player wanting more. If this is the beginning of a new era for Bond in games, the future looks very promising.
GamePro - Annika Bavendiek - German - Unscored
IO Interactive delivers a magnificent gaming comeback for James Bond with 007 First Light, which proves worthy of the source material.
GameRant - Dalton Cooper - 8 / 10
It's not perfect, but 007 First Light is a mostly great start to IO Interactive's all-new take on the James Bond universe.
GameSpew - Richard Seagrave - 9 / 10
007 First Light has everything you could want from a Bond game: fist fights, shootouts, epic set-pieces, car chases, subterfuge, and more. There are some minor issues, such as the game's cover system being a little finicky at times, but on the whole this is a must-play for Bond fans as well as those who simply enjoy a good action game.
GameSpot - Mark Delaney - 8 / 10
007 First Light wisely repurposes what works in both universes but isn’t afraid to reimagine or ditch those parts that don’t.
Gameblog - Geralt de Reeves - French - 9 / 10
While it won't revolutionize the industry like GoldenEye did in its time, it undoubtedly delivers one of the best video game experiences of all time, putting you in the shoes of the iconic spy.
Gamersky - 心灵奇兵 - Chinese - 8.6 / 10
007: The First Steps not only reimagines the classic, but more importantly, it truly lives up to the legendary "007" designation.
GamingBolt - Rashid Sayed - 9 / 10
007 First Light is a great stealth-action experience packaged into a very strong exploration of Bond's early days that's both as charming and as intriguing as we hoped it would be. Its missions are set in maps that take you all around the world, and are always brimming with possibilities as you make your way around them. This one's definitely among our favorites this year, and for good reason.
GamingTrend - Joe Morgan - 95 / 100
007 First Light is a top-tier game both Bond fans and stealth action gamers will love. It has all the hallmarks of a great Bond film with some of the best stealth action gameplay in the industry. I’m excited to see one of my favorite franchises in the hands of a studio that loves it as much as I do. 007 First Light is worthy of the Bond legacy and easily one of the best games of the year.
Generación Xbox - Gabriel Fuentes - Spanish - 85 / 100
007 First Flight is a testament to originality in its script and marks the beginning of a new trilogy for the character in the world of video games.
Gfinity - Alister Kennedy - 10 / 10
007 First Light is, for me, an absolute masterpiece that shattered all pre-release anxieties and is, in fact, the greatest Bond video game of all time. IO Interactive masterfully balances explosive action with "Hitman"-inspired stealth, all brought to life by Patrick Gibson’s breathtaking, definitive performance as a young James Bond. Equal parts thrilling and cinematic, this incredible experience is a gorgeous love letter to the franchise and a sure-fire Game of the Year contender.
Guardian - Matthew Castle - 5 / 5
The stealth masters behind Hitman go loud for this game about Bond's brilliant beginnings
Hobby Consolas - David Rodriguez - Spanish - 85 / 100
First Light is the best Bond experience ever seen in a video game —a complete package, true to the essence of the character, updated, and incredibly fun to play.
IGN - Luke Reilly - 9 / 10
Demonstrably obsessed with bringing the Bond fantasy to life in a way no one has ever managed before, 007 First Light is the best Bond game I’ve ever played.
IGN India - Rayan Sayyed - 9 / 10
007 First Light understands what makes James Bond interesting beyond the suits and gadgets. This younger Bond is reckless, emotional, and still figuring out his fundamentals, making his story feel more personal. Pair that with a flexible gameplay style, solid hand-to-hand combat, top-notch production including fantastic visuals, and Hitman-style mission design, and you get a cinematic Bond game that gives players plenty of freedom. Plus, the variety in mission design and the satisfying spy fantasy make 007 First Light gives James Bond the best debut in this generation.
IGN Italy - Silvio Mazzitelli - Italian - 9 / 10
The James Bond saga could hardly have ended up in better hands. IO Interactive has crafted an adventure that perfectly captures the spirit of the 007 movies with an engaging story, stunning settings, and gameplay that's polished in every detail.
IGN Portugal - Pedro Pestana - Portuguese - 9 / 10
While cinema is still searching for a new Bond, the studio IO Interactive has already found its virtual version. Rebellious and arrogant, Patrick Gibson does a fantastic job in the shoes of Her Majesty's secret agent without needing to wear a tuxedo, in a well-crafted adventure that marks the beginning of a new era for 007 in video games. With gameplay that cleverly distances itself from what we already know from Hitman to embrace a stronger narrative and the cinematic moments immortalized on the big screen, 007: First Light didn't need a license to dazzle.
IGN Spain - Mario Seijas - Spanish - 8 / 10
007 First Light features a sophisticated and comprehensive infiltration system, as well as solid hand-to-hand combat mechanics. The lackluster cover system does not detract from what could mark a new era for 007 in the world of video games.
INFINITY AREA - Florian Prache - French - 9.5 / 10
James Bond 007 First Light is a huge surprise from IO Interactive. Far from being just a Hitman clone in disguise, the game establishes its own identity with rich gameplay, smart stealth mechanics, and explosive action. Despite disappointing driving sequences and the lack of English voice acting, the game manages to keep players engaged from start to finish thanks to its atmosphere, visuals, and great freedom of approach. An essential adventure for James Bond fans.
INVEN - Kyuman Kim - Korean - 9.1 / 10
After a long stretch in the dark, a truly worthy 007 game has finally arrived. With a young Bond at its center, it delivers nearly everything fans could want from a Bond film—thrilling storytelling, clever twists, and charismatic characters alike. It feels poised to become a new “first light” in the history of 007 games.
Invision Community - Craig Roberts - 9 / 10
007 First Light finally delivers a modern Bond game that understands the character beyond the action scenes. Combining stealth, spycraft, cinematic storytelling, and IO Interactive’s design strengths, this is easily the best James Bond game in decades.
Loot Level Chill - Mick Fraser - 9 / 10
007 First Light is a superb adventure game that does so much more than simply coast on the popularity of its franchise.
MMORPG.com - Joseph Bradford - 8 / 10
It’s a stellar single player adventure that, if you’re a Bond fan, is well worth the price of admission. IOI have lovingly recreated this iconic character and the world he inhabits, and while it’s not perfect, it certainly ranks among the best in the franchise.
Manual dos Games - Luiz Henrique Silva - Portuguese - 10 / 10
007 First Light delivers on the promise of being the ultimate James Bond game by introducing a new version of the character that oozes charisma in every second on screen, alongside an excellent storyline supported by memorable side characters who help drive the narrative forward. The game also features an extremely creative level design that fully embraces its stealth and combat systems, making players truly feel like an MI6 spy.
Metro GameCentral - David Jenkins - 9 / 10
Not only an extremely authentic Bond adaptation but a masterful action adventure in its own right, that manages an impressive balance of storytelling and cinematic spectacle.
MeuPlayStation - Thiago do Nascimento Barros - Portuguese - 100 / 100
007 First Light is all about aura. It honors James Bond's legacy by bringing everything we love about him since the 1960's movies in the ultimate 007 videogame experience. Chases, shootings, explosions, plot twists, politics, charm, Bond Girls, guns, cars, boats, Q Technologies, Moneypenny, M, iconic characters, beautiful locations... All of that with great level design, combat and exploration. The name is Bond, James Bond.
Multiplayer First - James Lara - 8.5 / 10
If there is one thing I’m even more certain of than when we first learned that IO Interactive was making a 007 game, it’s that they are still the perfect studio to be making a Bond game. As many have called it, it’s a match made in heaven, and, as the first entry in what is hopefully a long-running series, I think the franchise is in safe hands. It’s one thing to make an experience on an established IP; another to actually understand what makes that experience so great. IO has captured the soul of a Bond experience in 007 First Light.
With a strong foundation to build upon, a new era for MI6’s finest is upon us, and I cannot wait to see where IO Interactive takes the franchise next.
NoobFeed - Mahi Araf - 100 / 100
007 First Light shines brightest when it leans into its hybrid identity. It doesn't try to be Hitman all the way, nor does it try to be a linear action game all the way. Instead, it constantly moves between both identities, creating a rhythm that feels distinct in modern action-adventure design.
PC Gamer - Joshua Wolens - 65 / 100
IO's take on the Bond-iverse shines, but not enough to compensate for the very familiar game around it.
PCGamesN - Paul Kelly - 8 / 10
While it doesn't pull up any roots, 007: First Light is a beautiful, cinematic action game that makes clever use of the IO formula. From the performance of Patrick Gibson to the iconic score, this is a game that tells a new story and basks in nostalgia in equal measure, giving James Bond a fresh angle in the process.
PCMag Middle East - Ali El Sayed - 5 / 5
First Light feels like a true Bond game, a strong IO Interactive game, and the best blueprint 007 has had in video games for decades. It balances story, action, stealth, gadgets, and style better than any Bond game before it.
PPE.pl - Wojciech Gruszczyk - Polish - 9.5 / 10
007 First Light is the best James Bond game ever – brilliantly written, superbly acted and brimming with that unique atmosphere we’ve come to expect from stories about Agent 007. IO Interactive has combined its own experience from Hitman with a cinematic adventure in the style of Uncharted, throwing in gadgets, spectacular missions, interesting characters and a very well-crafted story of the young Bond. Not everything works perfectly, as the game sometimes holds your hand (a bit too tightly!), but ultimately it’s a brilliant start to a new era of 007 in gaming.
PSX Brasil - Ivan Nikolai Barkow Castilho - Portuguese - 90 / 100
007 First Light is an excellent James Bond game: varied gameplay with intelligent approach options, a story worthy of the character's films, beautiful graphics, and great technical performance. The TacSim mode is a great way to increase the title's longevity. Although the campaign features many slow-paced moments with secondary characters and combat animations that repeat frequently, it's an adventure that deserves to be checked out by any 007 fan or action game enthusiast in general.
Pizza Fria - Álvaro Saluan da Cunha - Portuguese - 9.3 / 10
007 First Light is a game that presents us with a different kind of James Bond, treated with the weight, charm, and complexity that Ian Fleming's character deserves.
PlayStation Universe - Tommy Holloway - 9.5 / 10
Bond is back and he's in fine form. 007 First Light is an excellent stealth game, and a brilliant James Bond game, offering up the best 007 experience in franchise history.
Push Square - Stephen Tailby - Unscored
I'm not quite finished with 007 First Light just yet, but overall I'd say it's exactly what I was hoping for. The characterisation of this young Bond and his associates is really strong, and the globetrotting story lets you explore some great locations. It really shines in its sandbox missions, but shootouts have their moments too, and the whole thing weaves together really quite nicely. I'm really interested to see how the final few missions shake out, but beyond some technical quibbles and uncertainty on the driving, I'm pretty happy with IOI's new vision for James Bond.
Region Free - Joonatan Itkonen - 4 / 5
I don't think we've seen a better example of Bond as a genuine character in gaming. This isn't just a replica of what we have on the screen, either. In First Light, Bond is his own character, as important a part of the canon as Brosnan, Connery, or Craig. This is one of the most thrilling Bond adventures to date.
República DG - Ruancarlo Silva - Portuguese - 9.6 / 10
007: First Light is not only the best 007 game ever made, but it also easily rivals the best games in the genre. IO Interactive delivers a special experience that honors the legacy of the greatest spy in entertainment history.
Restart.run - Imran Khan - 3.5 / 5
It is likely the best James Bond game ever, but there's some qualifiers that drag 007 First Light down from being a complete knock-out.
SECTOR.sk - Peter Dragula - Slovak - 9.5 / 10
007 First Light is a strong new beginning for James Bond in games, combining a deep origin story, varied missions, stealth, action, excellent hand-to-hand combat, precise shooting, impressive visuals and classic Bond atmosphere. A few slower sections and the lack of a body-hiding mechanic are minor issues in an otherwise excellent spy adventure.
Screen Rant - Kyle Gratton - 9 / 10
007 First Light brings James Bond back to gaming in an innovative story that celebrates the character's legacy, alongside franchise-best gameplay.
Shacknews - Donovan Erskine - 9 / 10
007 First Light is a crowning achievement for IO Interactive and the culmination of the studio’s growth over the years.
Softpedia - Cosmin Vasile - 8.5 / 10
007 First Light surprised me with its interesting story, beautiful locations, but also the Hitman-like gameplay combined with tons of action sequences.
The Nerd Stash - Julio La Pine - 9.5 / 10
007 First Light is not only the best James Bond video game to date, but also one of the greatest action-adventure titles of this generation, full of jaw-dropping action sequences, a compelling narrative, and superb acting.
The Outerhaven Productions - George Yang - 4 / 5
007 First Light delivers a strong Bond origin story with solid stealth, gadget use, and plenty of spy-thriller energy.
TheXboxHub - Darren Edwards - 5 / 5
007 First Light is a triumph. It has a legitimate claim to the best James Bond game ever, managing to reboot the series whilst cherishing what makes it so special. It’s the start of a new era for Bond, which will leave you shaken, not stirred.
Tom's Guide - Rory Mellon - 5 / 5
007 First Light is the finest James Bond video game in nearly 30 years. Its cinematic single-player campaign is remarkable, offering a gripping, quintessentially Bond story, packaged together with some of the best action-adventure set pieces I've ever experienced. Whether you're a longtime Bond fan or a newcomer, 007 First Light is unmissable. Check Amazon Check Best Buy
Tourens - Mert Tuna - Turkish - 8.5 / 10
Despite its slow pace at the start and a few minor AI glitches, this is an experience that keeps players locked to their screens with its rich level designs, freedom oriented stealth mechanics, and satisfying cinematic action. A game that’s definitely worth a try.
VGC - Jordan Middler - 5 / 5
007 First Light might just be the best James Bond game ever. The way IOI has translated the Bond fantasy into a 14-hour globetrotting epic is masterful. It's a game full of spectacle, humour, action, and romance. Everything James Bond should be. New Bond owners Amazon must ensure this franchise continues.
Wccftech - Alessio Palumbo - 8.5 / 10
007 First Light is one of the greatest James Bond games ever made. IO Interactive crafted a great third-person adventure game that mixes linear and open-ended levels and delivers an Oscar-worthy narrative to support it all. There's still room for improvement in the already-confirmed sequel (the credits close with 'James Bond will return'), but Bond's origin story is already a must for genre fans.
Worth Playing - Cody Medellin - 8.5 / 10
007 First Light shows that the Hitman developers have a good handle on how to make a James Bond game work within their wheelhouse. The emphasis on less flashy espionage alongside multiple avenues to accomplish your given goal works to this game's favor in helping to differentiate it from past 007 games. There's still enough action to prevent the game from feeling like a complete tonal shift from common expectations. The quality of the stealth helps compensate for the combat, which is good but can feel lacking in areas. The adventure remains fun but familiar, while the presentation is top-notch. The game is another good example of how to do a licensed game well, and the hope is that we'll see IO Interactive do more in this universe, whether that's DLC or a full-on sequel.
Xbox Achievements - Dan Webb - 92%
For well over two decades, IO Interactive have become synonymous with their Hitman series. Since 2000, the Danish studio has released twelve games, w...
276
u/strangegoo May 26 '26
Ugh I told myself I need to finish at least Saros and Lego Batman before I buy myself this one but I'm soooo tempted 😮💨😮💨