After The February 2026 State of Play, It’s Clear 007: First Light is Never Escaping the Uncharted Allegations

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IO Interactive, the studio behind the Hitman series, is developing 007 First Light, the first new James Bond game in years. While Hitman fans might expect a similar experience, 007 First Light appears to be forging its own path. Though stealth will still be a key element, trailers show a more action-packed game, with some exciting sequences and locations reminiscent of classic PlayStation titles.

The game successfully mixes stealth and action, but its action sequences strongly resemble those in the Uncharted series – which isn’t necessarily a drawback, considering Uncharted remains a top-tier action-adventure franchise. 007 First Light could feel like a continuation of that style. However, IO Interactive needs to establish a distinct identity for their James Bond game, so it doesn’t just feel like another Uncharted experience. A recent gameplay reveal showcased the game’s fun factor, but also highlighted the inevitable comparisons to Uncharted.

007 First Light is Going to Be Facing Some Serious Uncharted Comparisons, and That Could Help or Hurt It

Naughty Dog is known for creating games with excellent combat and shooting. If the upcoming 007 First Light uses similar mechanics to the Uncharted series, that’s a good sign for how players will react. Taking inspiration from Uncharted’s combat is generally a positive thing, but it’s also important to consider how original and fresh 007 First Light feels as a new game.

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007 First Light Risks Being a New Game That Doesn’t Feel All That Fresh

The main challenge is making sure the game doesn’t feel too similar to existing titles like Uncharted, which would prevent it from standing out. IO Interactive needs to strike a delicate balance – it shouldn’t feel like a reskin of Hitman, but it also can’t just be another Uncharted copycat. While some games have successfully found their own identity despite similar influences, it’s a difficult task to achieve.

The release of 007 First Light has been delayed. It was initially planned for March, but will now come out on May 27, 2026.

Some of 007 First Light’s Eye-Catching Set Pieces Feel Pulled Straight From Uncharted

Previous trailers for the game 007 First Light showed James Bond battling on an airplane, which strongly resembles a memorable scene in Uncharted 3. Players of Uncharted 3 will recall Nathan Drake’s intense fight inside a cargo plane, specifically when he’s thrown from the bay and falls through the air, desperately grabbing onto falling crates. It’s a truly iconic moment, and 007 First Light will face a challenge trying to create a scene that’s just as thrilling.

It’s not just the aerial combat that reminds me of another game. A recent trailer for 007 First Light featured an old ship that looked almost identical to one from Uncharted 3. While Uncharted 3 is a great game to draw inspiration from, it makes me wonder how much of 007 First Light will feel familiar. I love the Uncharted series, but I’m hoping 007 First Light will be its own unique experience, rather than just feeling like a replay of something people have already enjoyed. With so many big games planned for 2026, 007 First Light really needs to be special, and thankfully, it might have something that sets it apart.

007 First Light’s A-List Villain Casting is So Crazy It Just Might Work

IO Interactive surprised attendees at The Game Awards 2025 by revealing Bawma as the villain in their upcoming game, 007 First Light. The announcement was already exciting, but the casting of Lenny Kravitz took it to another level. Kravitz’s cool personality perfectly contrasts with Bawma’s flamboyant style, hinting at a compelling new Bond antagonist. While details about Bawma are still scarce, we know he’s involved in black-market dealings. This combination of danger and charisma makes him a standout character in 007 First Light. And Kravitz isn’t the only exciting addition to the cast.

007 First Light Showcasing a Younger Bond is the Right Call

Patrick Gibson is a great pick to play a younger, more impulsive James Bond. While many fans know Daniel Craig’s serious portrayal of the character, Gibson could show a different side of 007. Combined with a compelling villain and this new take on Bond, the game 007 First Light could feel distinct from the Uncharted series. It’s important to differentiate Bond from Nathan Drake, and the idea of seeing Bond develop and become more seasoned throughout the story is really exciting.

Lennie James and Gemma Chan have also joined the cast of the new James Bond game, 007 First Light.

Most third-person action adventure games are now inevitably compared to Uncharted, and 007 First Light is no exception – it clearly takes inspiration from that series, especially in its exciting set pieces. However, 007 First Light will stand out through its story and how you play. With a unique cast of characters and a mix of stealth and action, this game has the potential to be a truly memorable James Bond experience. Whether it succeeds remains to be seen, but the game’s blend of Unchartedstyle environments and Hitmanlike stealth mechanics could be just what it needs to feel truly original.

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2026-02-13 21:04