After announcing their plans to develop a James Bond game over 5 years ago, IO Interactive has finally revealed the first gameplay trailer for the highly anticipated 007 First Light. With the story seemingly focusing on a younger version of the titular protagonist, 007 First Light has the perfect chance to explore the mysterious origins of the secret agent with a brand-new direction for the series. Although details about its gameplay have been scarce so far, the trailer finally offered a glimpse at what we can expect to see in its full release.

The original 007 First Light teaser already gave some impressions of the direction the explosive new James Bond entry will take for the series, but I didn't expect such an action-packed trailer right out of the gate. After years of waiting, 007 First Light might finally deliver on the untapped potential the franchise has been holding back over the years. Although there are plenty of reasons to be excited about First Light's release in 2026, its ambitious premise needs a strong start to kick off the new franchise.

10 A Full Launch Rather Than An Episodic Release

Proper Marketing Is Essential For 007 First Light's Success

Given the greater narrative focus that 007 First Light is likely to offer, there's thankfully a much lower chance of IO Interactives' past launch decisions having too much of an effect on the new series. Even with its popularity, Hitman's episodic release schedule, confusing editions, and strange DLC choices made the Hitman series difficult to get into for new players.

Ensuring a smooth launch without any issues is the first step towards success​​​​​​.

Despite how beloved Hitman's gameplay still remains, its marketing choices were poorly received at best and off-putting to many, with 007 First Light being the perfect opportunity to mark a change for the series. If Hitman's developers want to create the perfect James Bond game to start a new-generational franchise, ensuring a smooth launch without any issues is the first step towards success.

9 A Unique Selection Of Spy Gadgets To Use For Emergencies

The Right Tools Can Be The Difference Between Life And Death

Aside from his charismatic nature and incredible combat skills, James Bond wouldn't be the same without his array of incredibly unique and versatile gadgets. From explosive pens to the laser-firing watches that seem to already be included in 007 First Light​​​​​​'s trailer, the sky is the limit for what the inventors at MI6 have prepared for the legendary spy.

Thankfully, IO Interactive already has experience offering a wide array of unique gadgets to use in the Hitman series, even if it's hard to picture James Bond throwing explosive rubber ducks at these foes. Even with the more comedic options aside, from lockpicking toothpicks to tranquilizer dart cigarettes, 007 First Light is the perfect opportunity to take the gadgets in the same unconventional directions you would expect from the series.

8 References & Easter Eggs To Other Entries In The Franchise

The 007 Series Has Countless Potential For Respectful Callbacks

IO Interactive is infamous for the number of Easter eggs they manage to fit into the Hitman series, ranging from small film throwbacks to entire cutscenes referencing and even parodying popular franchises. While there are plenty of opportunities to reference various media from iconic films or games, it wouldn't be a Bond title without at least a few callbacks to previous entries in the series.

g up with an IOI will also unlock the "On Duty" and "Gilded Wraith" skins for 007 in First Light, being more than a little familiar for fans of the series.

Whether in the form of weapons, outfits, or other simple nods to the franchise that started it all, it would almost be harder not to include Easter eggs for fans of the series to discover. Even if First Light wants to distance itself from past entries, IO Interactive has offered their own complex and rewarding Easter eggs for the community to solve in the past.

7 A Well-Rounded And Refined Combat System

Combat Abilities Are A Necessary Asset For A Spy Master's Toolkit

One of the reasons IO Interactive was chosen to take up the 007 mantle after a 14-year absence was their ability to find sophisticated solutions rather than relying on the full-blown action sequences of previous entries. Even with 007 First Light taking a less combat-oriented approach to the series, it still needs a more refined combat system to match up to its expectations, especially given how prevalent combat seems to be in First Light's latest reveal trailer.

First Light will need a much more complicated melee combat system compared to Hitman's simple quick-time button mashing.

Although Bond's nature as a spy encourages subtlety, that doesn't stop the series from delivering fantastic action setpieces, ranging from intense gunfights, bombastic chase sequences, or tense melee brawls similar to the Uncharted franchise. To redefine the 007 franchise in the modern era, First Light will need a much more complicated melee combat system compared to Hitman's simplified mechanics.

6 It Wouldn't Be Bond Without Iconic Chase Sequences

Offering An Action-Packed Way To Break Up Setpieces

Another favorite staple of the James Bond franchise is the climactic chase sequences that find creative ways to spice up the action in between set pieces. Whether it's skiing down a mountain, a turbulent boat chase, or swerving through crowded streets, 007 First Light would feel incomplete without incorporating more than the simple car chases teased in the trailer.

It's hard to imagine an open-world James Bond game being an effective fit for the series or character, but that doesn't mean scripted chase sequences can't offer even more exhilarating action. Despite their thematic differences, the iconic car chases in Uncharted 4 are the perfect inspiration for First Light, even if Drake's ability to survive death-defying odds might be a little more unrealistic than what I would expect for Bond.

5 More Interactions With Named NPCs

Companions And Recurring Villains Are Essential To Bond's Character Development

Each addition to the revolving door of Bond protagonists wouldn't feel complete without a solid ing cast of characters to interact with. From his allies like Q and other agents from MI6, all the way to his various love interests, 007 First Light can't afford to have Bond be another solo agent like in the Hitman series.

007 First Light can't afford to have Bond be another solo agent like in the Hitman series.

Thankfully, the first trailer for 007 First Light seems to offer an exciting glimpse at some characters that will grow alongside Bond, that will hopefully be fleshed out throughout the story, much like how Indiana Jones: And The Great Circle incorporates the concept into its narrative. Although cutscenes and scripted segments could suffice, it wouldn't do much to set First Light apart from the game that came before it.

4 Some Forms Of Multiplayer Functionality

Offering Significantly More Replayability For The Series

Even if full-scale multiplayer would likely be a massive and risky undertaking for IO Interactive, some of the best games in the series are well known for their fun-filled multiplayer. There are plenty of ways to incorporate multiplayer without breaking First Light​​​​​​'s lore, as PvP matches against players could fit in as training exercises, or having rival agencies competing to complete a mission first.

Some of the best games in the series are well known for their fun-filled multiplayer.

Even if 007 First Light doesn't have direct multiplayer capabilities, it could still incorporate elements of the Hitman series with player-designed missions and stories to experiment with. It's hard to imagine that IO Interactive would completely abandon all of their sandbox mechanics from their success in the Hitman series, but multiplayer could be a great way to add more replayability as a replacement.

3 A Brand-New Villain To Compete With The Franchise's Iconic Offerings

007 First Light Needs An Iconic Bond Villain More Than Ever

All the best Bond films have several aspects in common, but one that helps each film to stand out from the rest is its iconic villains. From the cunning Blofeld, psychopathic Goldfinger, or intimidating giants like Jaws, the right villain can be the difference between an instant classic and a serviceable story experience.

The right villain can be the difference between an instant classic and a serviceable story experience.

Thankfully, there's no short list of talented voice actors that could deliver an incredibly iconic Bond villain performance for 007 First Light, but the game will still need a great villain to face off against in the first place. With First Light aiming to be an origin story for a new franchise, there is plenty of potential in having them intertwined in Bond's backstory, incorporating elements of betrayal with a more nuanced villain.

2 Alternate Methods Of Completing 007's Missions

Player Freedom Is One Of IO Interactive's Greatest Strengths

Even if it's been over a decade since the last official 007 game, that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of room for improvement over the expected formula. Rather than an entirely linear storyline, 007 First Light could take yet another page out of Hitman's book by providing branching paths to completing a mission.

007 First Light could take yet another page out of Hitman's book by providing branching paths to completing a mission.

Not only would multiple ways to accomplish the same objective take advantage of IO Interactive's greatest strengths, but it would also add more replayability to the linear story. From asocial subterfuge, silent heists, or full-blown gunfights, each opportunity could show a different side of 007's greatest strengths.

1 An Offering Similar To Hitman 3's Freelancer Mode

Providing Unique Ways To Experience First Light's Exciting Gameplay Loop

Even if the gameplay loops for 007 First Light and the Hitman series end up being drastically different from each other, any offering that adds more replayability outside the main story would be a welcome inclusion. Given the similarities between the global missions Agent 47 and 007 embark on, it wouldn't be a far cry to include a similar mode in First Light.

Taking the well-designed levels of Hitman and mixing them up with randomly generated targets felt like a perfect way to freshen up the sandbox experience, making Hitman 3's Freelancer mode my go-to way to revisit the game. With IO Interactive promising more James Bond games if 007 First Light is successful, I could easily see exciting new game modes making an appearance in future entries.