- Primary Subject: 007 First Light
- Key Update: IO Interactive’s highly anticipated James Bond origin story has officially launched, smashing studio records by selling 1.5 million copies within its first 24 hours.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: June 4, 2026
- Quick Answer: 007 First Light is a critical and commercial success, delivering a masterful James Bond origin story featuring Patrick Gibson as a young, reckless 007.
It’s been just over a week since 007 First Light released to the world, and what a week it has been. 1.5 million copies sold within its first 24 hours of launch, and officially IO Interactive's fastest-selling title to date… not bad!
Unlike our very own Editor-in-Chief, Alister Kennedy, who reviewed the game, I have not yet completed the main story of First Light. Even so, I don’t need to reach the credits to realize what an absolute masterpiece it is.
I guess that’s why I wanted to write this article, not to wax lyrical about the gameplay, the plot, or the cinematics (as tempting as that is), but to ultimately thank IOI for producing a James Bond game that fans can be proud of.
This was a game seven years in the making, and while anyone who follows Bond will tell you that they’re used to long waits, this really was one filled with desperation, excitement, hope, and fear.
You see, just like some of the Bond movies over the years, the video games have also been hit-and-miss. For me, it all started with Tomorrow Never Dies on the PlayStation 1 and, up until First Light, ended with Blood Stone on the PS3. Between those two titles, I struggled to connect with another Bond game in the same way, with Quantum of Solace the only other exception.
So from a personal perspective, there was a lot on the line here, because in my eyes, 007 First Light was probably going to be the closest thing that resembled those latter titles I enjoyed so much. Of course, expectations were naturally high when factoring in how far gaming and technology had come over the last 15 years, but here’s the thing: you can have one of the most immersive and visually impressive games in front of you, but if it doesn’t ultimately capture what makes Bond, Bond, then none of that even matters.
This is where IOI deserves a huge amount of credit, because they got arguably one of the most challenging parts of this game spot on. From the moment the opening sequence played and the music started, I just knew this was going to be a hit. The fact that I had only just completed the prologue and was already smiling like a Cheshire cat tells you everything you need to know.
Since then, I have only ever felt like I’m in a real 007 movie, and honestly? That’s all I could have asked for. Patrick Gibson’s faultless portrayal as Bond has played a key role in providing that sense of immersion, delivering the sophisticated charm, sarcastic humor, unwavering confidence, and the usual stubbornness we all know and love.
What makes Gibson’s performance even more formidable is that he depicts a side to Bond we’ve very rarely seen. He is young, reckless, and occasionally ignorant as he sets out to earn his double-0 status, yet you can’t help but feel for him throughout moments of the game.
Supported by a cast that just feels right, the characters who accompany Bond throughout First Light really do provide the icing on the cake. M balances her authority with support that encourages Bond's growth. Moneypenny remains a dedicated and trustworthy confidante you can always rely on, and Q is present with his tech-savvy persona, albeit with a more caring and elegant approach. Even those who doubt Bond along the way (yes, I’m looking at you, Greenway) eventually become likable and easy to care for.
Then there are the varying environments that surround Bond during his origin story, which again, add the cherry on top of what is already a well-executed spy adventure. From Iceland's snowy clifftop mountains and bustling desert markets in Mauritania to crowded London galas and luxury retreats on the Vietnam coast, First Light doesn’t shy away from being bold while staying true to its roots. Each mission feels different, each location looks unique, but the atmosphere, tone, and aesthetics of a truly classic James Bond experience are constantly on show.
What soon became particularly evident to me was that First Light doesn’t just act as a video game, but as a love letter to Bond fans. Whether it was waiting to be called into M’s office by Ponsonby (who hasn’t featured since the original novels), exploring the Q-Lab and its gadgets, or getting HQ’s lift deep underground to witness the top secret work being carried out by MI6, that attention to detail resonated with me in ways I can’t explain, and there are some really well-thought-out nods to the francises history that have been implemented with a lot of class.
If you’ve watched Gfinity’s weekly podcasts, you’ll know that I can go on and on about all things James Bond and First Light. As much as that would be easy to do here, part of me is still in awe and enjoying every single second of what remains of the game’s story. More than anything right now, I am just relieved and over the moon with how it has worked out after all this time.
With TacSim still to be explored and potential DLC in the pipeline, this won’t be the last you hear of First Light from me, nor will it be the last IOI Bond game we’ll hopefully get to enjoy! This feels like just the start of something truly special, and I cannot wait to see what’s next. If this is a taste of what’s to come, then the future of James Bond video games is in very safe hands.
P.S. Amazon MGM Studios, if you don’t cast Patrick Gibson as the next Bond, you are making a very big mistake. He is simply made for this role.
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