Following the reveal of IO Interactive's take on an origin story for a younger James Bond, 007 First Light may finally have the opportunity to explore part of the British secret agent's history that the films have barely touched on. After Daniel Craig concluded his 007 tenure with No Time to Die, the focus shifted to the then-untitled Bond game being developed by Hitman: World of Assassination's IOI while the film franchise stalled. Yet even when Amazon acquired the film rights earlier this year and fast-tracked Bond 26, 007 First Light may still have an edge that the Bond films may never get.
Though First Light may not be the first Bond project to feature an all-new story, it will still break the mold when it comes to the character's age. As revealed by First Light's announcement trailer, the game will follow a younger James at the start of his career, aged just 26, beating out even George Lazenby's debut in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. As a result, while the Bond films typically focused on a mature, experienced Bond, First Light can capitalize on the untapped potential of Bond's origins and his journey to becoming both the man and the agent he is in these films.
007 First Light’s James Bond Origin Story Means It Should Walk, Not Run When It Comes to Gadgets
007 First Light teases a wealth of gadgets at James Bond's disposal, but it shouldn't feel pressured to introduce too many too soon.
007 First Light's James Bond Has A Key Difference from the Films
Between the original novels by Ian Fleming and their film adaptations, fans of the Bond franchise may have developed a sense of the character's upbringing and eventual recruitment into the British Secret Service. It was arguably Craig's era of Bond films that explored the deepest into this past, even if it took some creative liberties, ranging from introducing Bond's childhood home in Skyfall to Spectre's reveal that Ernst Stavro Blofeld was his adoptive brother. However, though Casino Royale captured the moment when Bond was officially promoted to 00 status, First Light appears to build on these films and go even further back.
IOI makes a clear point that the upcoming game will be 007's origin story, with its trailer opening to one of First Light's main characters, M, recounting the same key points of Bond's childhood, like the death of his parents, his troubled childhood in boarding schools, and his service in the Navy. As the trailer builds to Bond's reveal, it is implied that First Light takes place before his 00 promotion, with its new character, John Greenway, describing the recruit as insubordinate, ill-disciplined, and reckless. In stark contrast to the films' versions of the character, IOI is embracing its younger Bond, warts and all.
A Young James Bond Could Be 007 First Light's Secret Weapon
Given that the last Bond game was released in 2012 and that First Light would feature its own story, it might have been expected that IOI would start over with Bond and make a fresh start. However, in an interview with The Best War Games, art director Rasmus Poulsen confirmed that First Light's younger Bond was an intentional choice, adding that an up-and-coming, inexperienced Bond would "match the experience of a younger audience" and avoid any potential narrative dissonance. More interestingly, though, Poulsen briefly touches on the direction of Bond's story as a "spirited but maladjusted young man" who is trying to find his way.
Besides allowing players to better familiarize themselves with Bond's character and First Light's gameplay, an origin story could also explore a more complex and emotional side to Bond that the films never could. For instance, First Light's antagonist, a more seasoned rogue agent, could exploit the worst attributes of a younger Bond, like an inflated ego or a short temper, causing him to suffer losses, face the consequences, and learn from his mistakes. While this doesn't come at the cost of Bond's iconic wit, charm, and talents, as per First Light's trailer, IOI has a chance to add fresh depth rarely seen with such a storied character.
OpenCritic Reviews
- Released
- May 27, 2026
- ESRB
- Teen / Blood, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- IO Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- IO Interactive
