007 First Light.

The Gavler Review.

007 First Light Review: The Best Bond Game Since GoldenEye

007 First Light ranks number 3 on Gavler's Best PS5 Games of 2026 list with an 8.8, and it arrives carrying one of the more unusual distinctions in recent gaming: it's IO Interactive's highest-rated game ever, surpassing even the acclaimed modern Hitman trilogy that built the studio's reputation. IGN's review put it bluntly: "007 First Light has made a fabulous first impression, and I'm certainly already quite comfortable to say it's the best Bond has been since GoldenEye." Buy it if you've ever wanted a genuinely great licensed Bond game — this is the one fans have wanted for decades. There's little reason to skip it if stylish action-stealth appeals to you at all; the reception has been close to unanimous.

What it is

007 First Light is IO Interactive's original take on the James Bond franchise — not an adaptation of an existing film, but a self-contained origin story inspired by Ian Fleming's novels and the broader film series, depicting a young, unproven Bond earning his 00-status on his very first licence-to-kill mission. That's a deliberate choice: rather than retreading familiar cinematic ground, IO built a story that stands on its own while still delivering the tone, gadgets, and globe-trotting espionage fans expect from Bond.

The gameplay draws directly on the studio's Hitman pedigree — a third-person blend of armed and unarmed combat with real stealth systems, built around sandbox-style mission design rather than tightly scripted linear corridors. It released May 27, 2026, across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2, a broad simultaneous multiplatform launch that reflects real confidence in the final product.

In use

IGN's assessment is the single strongest data point in the game's favor, and it's worth reading in full for how specific the praise is: "007 First Light has made a fabulous first impression, and I'm certainly already quite comfortable to say it's the best Bond has been since GoldenEye." That's a meaningful comparison to draw — GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64 remains one of the most beloved licensed games ever made, and decades of subsequent Bond games have largely failed to recapture that magic. IGN's willingness to invoke it directly signals just how confident critics are in what IO Interactive built.

GameSpot's review zeroes in on a specific mechanical strength: "The melee combat in First Light is incredibly fun." That's a notable detail, because melee combat in stealth-action hybrids is often the weakest link — a system players tolerate rather than enjoy. IO Interactive appears to have built something that stands on its own as genuinely satisfying, not just a fallback when stealth fails.

The broader design — armed and unarmed combat blended with real stealth options — leans directly on IO's Hitman experience, where the studio spent over a decade refining exactly this kind of sandbox mission design. Bond's espionage toolkit gives the formula its own identity: gadgets, spycraft, and cinematic presentation that distinguish First Light from being simply "Hitman with a Bond skin," even as the underlying design DNA is clearly related.

Where it shines

• IO Interactive's highest-rated game ever. A meaningful distinction for a studio whose Hitman trilogy already carries a strong critical reputation — First Light surpasses it.
• "The best Bond has been since GoldenEye," per IGN. A direct, confident comparison to the genre's most beloved licensed game, and one the broader reception largely backs up.
• Genuinely fun melee combat. GameSpot's specific praise for a system that's historically been the weak point in stealth-action hybrids.
• An original, well-constructed Bond story. Rather than adapting an existing film, IO built a self-contained origin narrative that stands on its own merits.
• Broad day-one multiplatform availability. PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2 all launched simultaneously.

The trade-offs — who should skip it

First Light's reception has been close to unanimous, but a few honest caveats are worth naming:

• It's an origin story, not a familiar Bond adventure. Players expecting a specific film adaptation or a more established Bond continuity may need to adjust to an entirely original narrative and a younger, less-seasoned version of the character.
• The Hitman-derived design won't appeal to everyone. If sandbox-style stealth mission design isn't your genre of choice, First Light's core structure carries that same DNA, Bond gadgets notwithstanding.
• A large, ambitious game inevitably carries some early rough edges. As with most big, systems-heavy releases, expect the usual post-launch patches to smooth out edge cases in a game this scope.

How it compares

On its own list, Mina the Hollower at rank 1 offers a sharp genre contrast — a tight, retro-styled action-adventure rather than a big-budget cinematic espionage thriller, underscoring just how varied 2026's best PS5 releases have been. Just above First Light, Resident Evil Requiem at rank 2 makes for an interesting double feature of studios hitting new highs in 2026 — both Capcom and IO Interactive delivered some of their best-reviewed work yet in the same calendar year.

The Gavler verdict

An 8.8, backed by an 88 Metacritic score, an 89 on OpenCritic, and IGN's direct declaration that this is the best Bond game since GoldenEye. 007 First Light is a genuine Game of the Year contender and IO Interactive's highest-rated release to date — confident, stylish, and finally the Bond game fans have been asking for since the N64 era. For action-stealth fans, this is one of the clearest buys of 2026.

Common Questions

Is 007 First Light worth buying?

Yes — it ranks number 3 on Gavler's Best PS5 Games of 2026 list with a 8.8, backed by an 88 Metacritic score and an OpenCritic score of 89. IGN called it 'the best Bond has been since GoldenEye,' and it's IO Interactive's highest-rated game to date.

Is 007 First Light connected to the movies or a new story?

It's an original story — an origin narrative inspired by Ian Fleming's novels and the broader film series, depicting a young James Bond earning his 00-status on his first licence-to-kill mission, rather than adapting a specific existing Bond film.

What studio made 007 First Light?

IO Interactive, the studio behind the modern Hitman trilogy, developed and published 007 First Light. Their sandbox-and-stealth design pedigree from Hitman is evident throughout the game's mission structure.

What platforms is 007 First Light on?

It released May 27, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2 — a broad simultaneous multiplatform launch.