007 First Light is set to be the first James Bond game in a long time, and Hitman developer and publisher IO Interactive is in charge of bringing the project to life. The studio responsible for creating the Hitman series is the ideal developer to adapt a James Bond game. 007 First Light could have easily felt like a reskinned version of Hitman, but it already looks like it sets itself apart from the long-running stealth franchise. From the trailers, it’s clear that there are still plenty of stealth-focused moments, though 007 First Light also cranks up the action. And when it does, some of the action (and the settings where it occurs) is straight out of an iconic PlayStation series.
A strong blend of stealth and action is compelling enough, but it’s hard to ignore that the more action-forward moments look incredibly similar to the Uncharted franchise. That definitely isn’t a bad thing, either. Uncharted is still one of the best action adventure franchises around, and 007 First Light could feel like an unofficial return for the series. It’s important that IO Interactive’s take on James Bond feels unique and not like a different version of Nathan Drake, though. Sony’s February State of Play revealed another thrilling sneak peek at what to expect from 007 First Light. The game looks as fun as ever, but it was also a big reminder that the James Bond-led title is going to have a hard time shaking the Uncharted comparisons.
007 First Light is Going to Be Facing Some Serious Uncharted Comparisons, and That Could Help or Hurt It
Naughty Dog’s best games have boasted fantastic fighting and shooting mechanics. If 007 First Light takes note of Uncharted‘s mechanics, then that bodes well for how the gameplay is received. Uncharted-inspired combat is definitely more of a plus than a con, but there’s also the question of 007 First Light‘s newness to be considered.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
007 First Light Risks Being a New Game That Doesn’t Feel All That Fresh
The biggest issue with potentially playing too much like Uncharted is that it could keep the game from truly feeling like something unique. IO Interactive has to achieve a very specific balance with this game. On one hand, it could feel too close to Hitman, and on the other hand, it could just feel like another Uncharted clone. There are plenty of games like Uncharted that have managed to successfully carve out their own identities, but that’s a lot easier said than done.
007 First Light was originally supposed to be released in March, but it has officially been pushed back to May 27, 2026.
Some of 007 First Light’s Eye-Catching Set Pieces Feel Pulled Straight From Uncharted
Earlier 007 First Light trailers have shown James Bond fighting on a large plane. Those who have played Uncharted 3 will immediately be taken back to the Stowaway level, where Nathan Drake has an intense fight in a cargo plane. Nathan is blown from the plane’s bay and plummets through the air, grabbing at falling boxes and cargo in one of the most unforgettable moments of the series. It’s iconic, and 007 First Light is going to have a tough time topping such a heart-pounding scene.
The plane levels aren’t the only similarities, though. There’s a moment in 007 First Light‘s newest trailer that takes place on an old ship that also looks pulled straight from Uncharted 3. Granted, Uncharted 3 is a fantastic entry in the franchise to use as inspiration, but it makes me wonder just how many more Uncharted 3-like moments will be part of the game. Uncharted is one of my all-time favorite franchises, but I’m hoping that 007 First Light stands on its own instead of feeling like a repeat of a series that many have already played through multiple times. 007 First Light is set to be one of the biggest games of 2026, and such a stacked lineup means that it really needs to stand out from the crowd. Thankfully, there may be one secret weapon that gives 007 First Light enough uniqueness.
007 First Light’s A-List Villain Casting is So Crazy It Just Might Work
At the 2025 Game Awards, IO Interactive revealed 007 First Light‘s villain: Bawma. Knowing who the villain would be was exciting enough, but Lenny Kravitz being cast was icing on the cake. Kravitz’s cool demeanor mixed with Bawma’s flashy style is a fantastic contrast that has the makings of a great new Bond villain. Bawma is still incredibly mysterious as a character, but it’s been confirmed that he’s some kind of black-market dealer. The mix of danger and coolness makes him one of the most exciting parts of 007 First Light right now. He isn’t the only exciting casting, though.
007 First Light Showcasing a Younger Bond is the Right Call
Bond’s actor, Patrick Gibson, is a strong choice to bring a younger, more reckless version of the character to life. A lot of gamers are going to mostly be familiar with Daniel Craig’s steely stoicism, but Gibson could bring out a different side to James Bond. Between Bawma as the villain and the fresh take on Bond, this could be the special combination that keeps 007 First Light from feeling too much like an Uncharted game. James Bond and Nathan Drake have very different personalities, and the promise of the former growing as a character and becoming more hardened and experienced as the story continues is compelling.
Other major actors who have been confirmed for 007 First Light‘s cast are Lennie James and Gemma Chan.
It’s hard for almost any third-person action adventure game to avoid Uncharted comparisons now, but 007 First Light definitely wears its inspiration on its sleeve when it comes to set pieces. The main differences will come down to the story and gameplay. 007 First Light‘s cast and blend of stealth and action has the potential to be a perfect recipe for creating a special James Bond title. Only time will tell, but 007 First Light‘s Uncharted-inspired settings and Hitman-like stealth may be the perfect building blocks to actually create a game that feels one-of-a-kind.
- Released
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May 27, 2026
- ESRB
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Teen / Blood, Language, Violence
