Early Reviews Call 007 First Light Best Bond Game Yet

IO Interactive’s 007 First Light has received its first wave of reviews ahead of its May 27 release. The game has earned scores of 88 and 89 on major review aggregators, and many reviewers described it as the best James Bond game to date. The full launch is set for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version planned for later this summer. Players who pre-ordered received early access and a free upgrade to the Deluxe Edition when reviews appeared.

Reviewers pointed to a 14-hour single-player campaign that mixes cinematic set pieces, trademark Bond humor and a central romantic storyline. They noted the campaign provides a steady stream of action and narrative beats while following a compact, focused structure.

Several reviewers highlighted design elements drawn from IO Interactive’s Hitman series combined with faster, more explosive action common in modern shooters. Stealth, planning and environmental interactions sit alongside quicker combat and chase sequences to create a hybrid approach suited to a Bond protagonist.

Not all feedback was unanimous. Some reviewers wrote the developers stayed within established genre conventions and avoided major creative risks, and that the game did not introduce unconventional mechanics that could have distinguished it further.

Aggregated scores and review comments focused on campaign length, pacing and the blend of stealth and action. The game’s release on May 27 will complete the initial rollout across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series platforms, with the Switch 2 port arriving later this summer.