007 First Light Previews: Key Takeaways From New Gameplay & Impressions

A digital rendering of a man in a dark blue polo shirt against a gold-toned background, looking serious and confident. The scene conveys a polished, professional tone.

A digital rendering of a man in a dark blue polo shirt against a gold-toned background, looking serious and confident. The scene conveys a polished, professional tone.
  • Primary Subject: 007 First Light
  • Key Update: Early hands-on previews highlight a "wide-linear" mission structure and a unique "Bluffing" mechanic that allows a 26-year-old James Bond to talk his way out of hostile encounters.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: May 1, 2026
  • Quick Answer: 007 First Light features a younger, reckless Bond using Q-Branch gadgets, social engineering, and various weapons to complete missions across Iceland, Malta, and London.

Newly released 007 First Light gameplay footage has people hooked, and it's no surprise why.

Ahead of its launch later this month, content creators were able to play 007 First Light before the general public. Having spent three hours with the game, many are claiming it could be this year's Game of the Year, while others are stating it's the best and most authentic James Bond game to date.

Curious about what to expect in 007 First Light? Here are some key gameplay takeaways from those who have played it!

007 First Light Previews Are Here

According to content creators who recently played 007 First Light at a preview event, the upcoming James Bond game doesn't disappoint. Not only does it feature movie-like action and set pieces, but the problem-solving and combat are authentically 007, drawing comparisons to Hitman and Uncharted.

A tense scene in a dimly lit room shows a person in military gear restraining another on the floor. Four people in orange jumpsuits watch from tables.
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Credit: IO Interactive

The game starts in Iceland, with Bond in the Royal Navy on a mission. As a younger Bond (only 26 years old!), he comes off as more impatient and a little more reckless compared to the older, more seasoned Bonds.

There are plenty of gadgets from Q-Branch to use, like the Q-Lens that lets you see enemies through walls, hack electronics, and fire lasers. The Q-Watch can be used to blind enemies or knock them off balance, while the Dart Phone can be used to hit NPCs with poisonous darts to cause a distraction.

A vibrant garden with pink and red flowers in the foreground. A person sits on a bench, surrounded by lush greenery, under a clear blue sky. The scene conveys a peaceful, serene atmosphere.
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Credit: IO Interactive

Combat revolves around punching, blocking, parrying, sidestepping, grabbing nearby items, and bashing enemies against objects. The graphics for fight scenes are smooth and incredibly immersive - but don't get distracted by how stunning it looks, as enemies can be tough, especially when they band together. Boss encounters are described as intense, and firefights will also require all of Bond's tricks, such as his gadgets, weapons, and more.

The goal is to avoid suspicion from enemies, but if you get found out, you'll end up having to fight. You can try bluffing (more on that later) to avoid conflict, but it doesn't always work. If things get out of hand, a message will pop up informing Bond that he has a license to kill, which means free use of firearms and lethal force. This changes Bond's demeanor entirely, going from a sleek spy to a dangerous force of destruction.

One of the best mechanics in 007 First Light is said to be the bluffing mechanic. Lying allows Bond to weave a story to get out of trouble. However, you'll need to remember your alibi, as you might be questioned about it later.

A man and a woman face each other in a dimly lit bar with art deco design. The scene conveys intrigue and a serious tone, as others socialize in the background.
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Credit: IO Interactive

In one example that was provided, Bond was seen knocking out a guard, but was caught by another one patrolling. Bluffing allowed Bond to convince them that the unconscious guard had suffered a medical emergency and passed out. Another example of bluffing is Bond overhearing a chat about a journalist. He impersonates the journalist to trick guards into entering a restricted section.

Missions in Bond are wide-linear, meaning you have plenty of options on how you want to tackle a scenario. One mission that stood out features Bond scrambling across rooftops, parkouring his way out of trouble after assassins attack his apartment.

007 First Light releases on May 27, and it's already sounding like a massive success. Hopefully, the game lives up to expectations once it arrives.

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