IO Interactive
One of the most anticipated video games of 2026 is “007 First Light,” developed and published by IO Interactive. The first major James Bond video game since 2012’s “007 Legends,” the new title introduces a younger British super-spy at the start of his espionage career. Shortly after being recruited by MI6, Bond finds himself on a globe-trotting mission with the fate of the free world hanging in the balance. The gameplay mixes stealth, open combat, and vehicle-centric sequences as it reinvents the venerable secret agent for a new generation.
Largely unlike any of the James Bond video games that have come before it, “007 First Light” forges a new future for the franchise. That said, there are still other titles that are similar in terms of tone and gameplay. Mixing a bit of light platforming with strategy and action, these games are a natural next choice for players looking for more high-octane thrills. Here are the five best video games like “007 First Light” to keep that hard-hitting action firing on all cylinders.
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Ubisoft
When it comes to espionage video games, the “Splinter Cell” series immediately comes to mind. The Ubisoft franchise has revolved around third-person cloak-and-dagger gameplay since its start in 2002. One of the best entries is “Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory,” which was released in 2005. The game has NSA black ops specialist Sam Fisher trying to prevent a world war from breaking out in East Asia. This involves Fisher traveling around the world unraveling a plot involving a rogue Japanese agency and a conniving private military corporation.
Though “Splinter Cell” is considerably more grounded than the adventures of James Bond, the globe-trotting thriller aspects remain intact. “Chaos Theory” takes its story into noticeably darker and more intense territory than its predecessors, which better fits the franchise. There is also a greater emphasis on action, which better aligns this entry to 007’s usual antics. And with Ubisoft working on a “Splinter Cell” remake, it’ll be interesting to see the two espionage franchises reinvented for modern audiences.
Hitman: World of Assassination
IO Interactive
Before taking the reins on James Bond, IO Interactive cemented itself as a major industry presence through its “Hitman” franchise. Starting in 2000, the series chronicles the adventures of assassin Agent 47 as he takes on contracts around the globe. The “Hitman” franchise evolved dramatically with 2021’s “Hitman: World of Assassination,” which combines all the content from the reboot trilogy. Agent 47 goes up against a clandestine organization known as Providence. This globe-trotting feud takes the stoic killer from the skyscrapers of Dubai to a showdown on a train traveling through the Carpathian Mountains.
“007 First Light” is much more than a licensed Hollywood reskin of “World of Assassination,” but the amount of player freedom in detailed and varied sandbox environments does feel welcomingly familiar. Agent 47 may be significantly less charismatic than James Bond, but he resourcefully gets the job done and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. And with new content released for “Hitman: World of Assassination” regularly (IO made it a live-service game in January 2023), there are lots of adventures to be had with Agent 47.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Ever since 2007, Sony has had its own third-person action-adventure property with a global scope in the “Uncharted” series. An Indiana Jones-style adventurer for a modern generation, the franchise’s primary protagonist is Nathan Drake, a daring treasure hunter. While there are two different compilations for the series to date, the one that most closely aligns to Bond is “Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection.” Compiling “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” and “Uncharted: The Lost Legacy,” the game chronicles Drake’s last adventure and his longtime ally Chloe’s separate saga in India.
Ever since the original “Uncharted” game, the series has relied on third-person shooter action and light platforming, so it’s a similar experience to “007 First Light.” The franchise has steadily upped its emotional stakes along with the scope of its major set pieces as it’s progressed, with the games in “Legacy of Thieves Collection” reflecting that. This includes more frenetic gunfights and high-octane vehicle sequences to keep players on the edge of their seats. The “Uncharted” series is seemingly finished, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of “007 First Light.”
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Bethesda Softworks
Just like James Bond, Indiana Jones got his own video game rebirth with 2024’s “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.” In contrast to prior titles on the gaming side of the franchise, “The Great Circle” puts players directly in Indy’s shoes from a first-person perspective. While exploring ancient ruins and wartorn regions around the world, Indy faces off against a Nazi expedition to recover an artifact capable of reshaping the planet. The gameplay features a mix of fisticuffs, gunfights, and vehicle-based sequences as Indy tries to stay one step ahead of his rivals while solving this international mystery.
Sitting comfortably among the best Indiana Jones games ever made, “The Great Circle” is a celebration of the franchise, right from its opening recreating “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Like “007 First Light,” the spectacle is elevated to cinematic levels while giving players the opportunity to play as one of pop culture’s biggest icons. Every environment is immaculately detailed, from Marshall College where Indy teaches to a sweeping depiction of fascist-controlled Rome. A game that gives another cinematic legend a solid reinterpretation, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” is a must-play for any fan of the series.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Konami
After a lengthy hiatus, Konami revived its “Metal Gear” franchise with “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater,” a remake of “Metal Gear Solid 3.” The earliest game in the entire “Metal Gear” timeline, “Delta” is set at the height of the Cold War in the ’60s. Special forces operative Naked Snake infiltrates a rural region within the Soviet Union to derail development on a top-secret superweapon. While stealthily dismantling the Soviet presence in the area, Snake contends with a group of eccentric elite soldiers, including his former colleague, the Boss, who recently defected.
Original creator Hideo Kojima wasn’t involved in “Metal Gear Solid Delta” owing to Kojima’s split with Konami, but it’s still an incredibly faithful remake of “Metal Gear Solid 3.” James Bond fans who missed this game the first time around or are looking for a modern refresh will find a lot to love here. On top of the game’s Cold War intrigue, it even includes a stylized opening credits sequence like many Bond movies. The closest the “Metal Gear” franchise has ever gotten to 007-style action, “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater” is a brilliantly executed remake.
