Tech & Science
007 First Light set for May 27 release
IO Interactive’s Bond origin story arrives May 27, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
May 27, 2026 is the date for 007 First Light, the new James Bond video game from IO Interactive.
The title will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. IO Interactive, the Danish studio behind the modern Hitman trilogy, has developed the game, which has been one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
A full release trailer has now been published. The game follows a 26-year-old James Bond who has not yet earned his licence to kill, beginning as a British special forces operative before a mission in Iceland catches MI6's attention and his path to 00 status begins.
Gemma Chan, Lenny Kravitz, and Patrick Gibson are in the cast, with Gibson playing the young Bond. David Arnold provides the score, and Lana Del Rey performs the theme.
IO Interactive says the game combines Uncharted's narrative structure with Hitman's stealth design, moving between linear cinematic missions and more open locations where players choose their approach. The main campaign runs around 20 hours, in line with the Hitman trilogy entries, and missions can be replayed with modifiers for extra challenge.
Preview impressions have been largely positive on story and performance capture, although not everyone is convinced by the gameplay. PC Gamer Hands-On said the stealth AI was simplistic and the mission design less open-ended than Hitman 3, while drawing comparisons to the divisive Hitman: Absolution.
Metacritic Preview Roundup shows a mixed-but-intrigued critical consensus heading into launch. Full reviews are due around launch day.
The standard edition costs $69.99 in the US and £59.99 in the UK across all platforms. A Collector's Edition is priced at $299.99/£199.99 in physical retail, and pre-ordering the standard edition includes a free Deluxe Edition upgrade.
The Nintendo Switch 2 version has been pushed back to Q3 2026, with no firm date yet. With no serious competition in the spy-action genre right now, and the next Splinter Cell still vaporware, 007 First Light has a clear run at the audience.
