IO Interactive's 007 First Light, the studio's first James Bond game, has launched to widespread critical acclaim, earning an 87 Metascore on Metacritic and a 90 on OpenCritic with 98% of critics recommending the game. The launch makes it IO Interactive's best-reviewed title and one of the highest-rated games of 2026.
A New Bond Origin Story
007 First Light is a wholly original James Bond origin story, developed and published by IO Interactive — the studio best known for the Hitman: World of Assassination trilogy. The game follows a young Bond as he earns his 00 status, blending the stealth and sandbox design IO is famous for with blockbuster Bond spectacle. The game features an original story with a full cast of new and familiar characters.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised the game for its faithful adaptation of the Bond franchise, strong stealth gameplay, varied mission design, and compelling cast. Forbes' Paul Tassi called it "one of the best Bond games ever made," while Eurogamer (8/10) noted it is "less cerebral and replayable than IO's World of Assassination trilogy, but makes up for it with excellent production values and thrilling set-pieces." IGN, GameSpot, and numerous outlets have joined in praising the title.
"007 First Light is the best James Bond game ever made. IO Interactive has done a commendable job adapting their Hitman formula to fit the iconic spy franchise." — Metacritic review roundup
Availability and Pricing
007 First Light is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store). The game is priced at $69.99 / £59.99 with a Deluxe Edition also available, featuring additional cosmetic content and early access to future story content.
Sources
Review scores confirmed via Metacritic and OpenCritic aggregates. Coverage from Forbes, IGN, Eurogamer, Men's Journal, Pure Xbox, and IO Interactive's official website all corroborate the launch and critical reception details.