Sony dropped a massive gameplay reveal for IO Interactive’s 007 First Light during State of Play. The 20-minute deep dive showed an entire mission from start to finish, confirming a March 27, 2026 release date. Pre-orders went live immediately after the showcase.
The footage kicked off with Bond driving to a Mediterranean villa hosting a chess tournament. After being turned away at security, players must find another way inside. This sets up the game’s core loop of creative problem-solving and improvisation.
Bond creates a distraction by manipulating a leaking hose to start a small fire. While guards rush to handle the emergency, he slips past and scales the building’s exterior. The climbing mechanics look fluid, with contextual animations as Bond navigates ledges and windows.
Inside the villa, social stealth takes center stage. Players weave through crowds of party guests, blending in to reach their target. A new conversation system lets Bond talk his way out of suspicious situations, adding another layer to the infiltration gameplay.
When stealth fails, the combat system shines. Hand-to-hand fights emphasize environmental takedowns and dynamic animations. One standout moment shows Bond kicking a shotgun up from the floor in one smooth motion. The melee looks more cinematic than IOI’s Hitman games, with influences from action movies clearly visible.
The “License to Kill” mechanic appears to be the game’s most interesting addition. This system limits lethal force, pushing players toward stealth and non-lethal approaches before resorting to gunfights. It’s designed to capture the spirit of Bond operating with precision rather than leaving a trail of bodies.
Gunplay follows the familiar third-person cover shooter formula with destructible environments and explosive props scattered throughout levels. The shooting looks punchy with quick takedowns and smooth cover transitions. A focus mode helps players scan environments for interaction points and alternate routes during infiltration.
The demo escalated quickly from villa infiltration to a high-speed car chase. Camera angles shift dramatically during the pursuit, creating cinematic moments straight out of a Bond film. Performance noticeably dipped during this sequence, with frame rate issues appearing around the 14-minute mark.
An airport firefight showcased larger-scale combat with numerous enemies and environmental hazards. The real showstopper came during a cargo plane sequence where players can tilt the aircraft using L1 and R1, sending loose cargo crashing into enemies. It’s the kind of creative set piece that makes Bond games memorable.
Shaken, not optimized
Technical performance raised some concerns throughout the presentation. Beyond the car chase issues, viewers spotted significant frame drops near the 23-minute mark. The game uses IOI’s proprietary Glacier engine, which powered the Hitman trilogy. Heavy motion blur and chromatic aberration effects were also noticeable, though these might be toggleable in the final release.
Pre-orders include a free Deluxe Edition upgrade featuring “Gleaming” cosmetic skins for gadgets like Bond’s lighter, earphones, dart gun, and pen. A special Walther pistol skin rounds out the cosmetic package. The game launches on PS5 and PC via Steam, with other platforms potentially following later.
