007 First Light får höga recensioner – IO Interactive levererar ett av årets bästa actionspel

On May 27, 007 First Light will be released—a new game from IO Interactive, the developers of Hitman game series. Early reviews from gaming media are already appearing, and based on the response, the developers have created one of the best games of 2026.

According to critical reception, 007 First Light effectively reinterprets the James Bond narrative, striking a balance between stealth and action while preserving the signature IO Interactive mechanics that are a hallmark of the Hitman series. The game excels in its cinematic integration; from traversal through the game world to high-octane action sequences, it successfully adapts the essence of the James Bond films and elevates them to a new standard. Conversely, the game’s shortcomings include pacing issues concerning secondary character arcs, as well as a racing component that leaves much to be desired. Nevertheless, this did not spoil the overall impression of the game.

The game currently holds a score of 88 on Metacritic based on 42 critic reviews, with a 90 Top Critic Average and a 100% Critic Recommendation rate on OpenCritic. Some of the reviews from gaming media outlets you can check out below:

ComicBook – 100/100:

It would have been expected for IOI to stick to its Silverballers and immediately pump out another Hitman, yet the team swerved by making a Bond game with its own take on the classic British agent. This willingness to take a different path has led to a fresh 007 experience that beautifully marries the liberating sandbox elements of the Hitman series with explosive set pieces typically found in more linear action games.

VGC – 100/100:

007 First Light might just be the best James Bond game ever. The way IOI has translated the Bond fantasy into a 14-hour globetrotting epic is masterful. It's a game full of spectacle, humour, action, and romance. Everything James Bond should be. New Bond owners Amazon must ensure this franchise continues.

GAMINGbible – 90/100:

007 First Light is an exquisite taste of slick spy action and blockbuster storytelling, and is fully what a Bond game should be, but rarely is.

Screen Rant – 90/100:

007 First Light is brimming with trademark James Bond intrigue.

CGMagazine – 80/100:

007 First Light does a great job of making the player feel like they are embodying James Bond. Gadgets, shoot-outs, stealth and an amazing cast really make this stand in the hall of 007 greats.

Gamereactor UK – 80/100

007 First Light has plenty of hits and plenty of misses. In answer to the question earlier, there is enough in this game to give you confidence in IO Interactive and its broader vision for this style of a James Bond game, with plenty of ambition and quality oozing out of every crack. But there is clear room for improvement too, areas that would take this game from being simply an enjoyable and great action-adventure project and elevating it to be something truly unmissable. As it is, you'll enjoy 007 First Light, but it's no Uncharted 4 and it's no Hitman 3, either.

Eurogamer – 80/100

007 First Light is less cerebral and replayable than IO's World of Assassination trilogy, but makes up for it with excellent fistfights and oodles of charm.

• Gfinity – 10/10
• Guardian – 10/10
• Metro – 9/10
• DayOne – 9/10
• Collider – 9/10
• GameSpew – 9/10
• Shacknews – 9/10
• PSX Brazil – 9/10
• Dualshockers – 9/10
• TechRadar – 8/10

As most gaming media note, 007 First Light is arguably the best Bond game and a top contender for the "2026 Game of the Year" title. This also aligns with early reviews of the game that were released late last month.

Are you excited about the success of 007 First Light, the new game from IO Interactive? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The game releases on May 27 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and later in 2026 it will be available on Nintendo Switch 2.