IO Interactive is stepping away from tradition and redefining what it means to be James Bond. In their upcoming title 007: First Light, players won’t be slipping into the tuxedo of the charming, martini-sipping agent we’ve seen countless times on the big screen. Instead, they’ll step into the boots of a raw, unrefined rookie—a younger Bond still shaping his identity within the walls of MI6.

This isn’t your typical Bond story. First Light sets the stage for a new universe where Bond is 26, recently transitioned from the Royal Navy, and hasn’t yet earned his license to kill. It’s a character study masked as a spy thriller, where the gadgets, globetrotting, and gunfights take a backseat to development, nuance, and stealth-driven strategy.

Built on IOI’s robust Glacier engine, known for powering the excellent Hitman trilogy, First Light blends slow-burn infiltration with cinematic action. While Hitman was methodical and sandbox-driven, this new Bond experience is more narrative-focused but still values player choice and creative problem-solving. Expect high-stakes stealth missions, precision-driven shootouts, and signature spy gadgets—but with a fresh sense of vulnerability and unpredictability.

At the heart of the game is the mentor-student relationship between Bond and MI6’s Q. As Bond evolves, so does his style, skillset, and moral compass. No more shaken-not-stirred clichés—this Bond is learning, adapting, and occasionally stumbling. It’s about the journey, not the swagger.

Visually, the trailer shown at this year’s PlayStation State of Play teased a globe-trotting campaign, complete with lush landscapes, chaotic car chases, and even a tense encounter involving a crocodile-infested river. Bond’s allies—M, Q, Moneypenny—are all here, along with a new mentor named Greenway and a rogue 009 antagonist who seems ready to push Bond to his limits.

IO Interactive isn’t just building a standalone title; they’re kicking off a trilogy that charts Bond’s rise from an untested agent to the iconic figure we all recognize. For fans of spycraft, smart stealth gameplay, and narrative-driven action, 007: First Light looks like a thrilling detour from the formula.