Star Wars Zero Company, a new tactics game that blends Star Wars lore with XCOM-style gameplay, features familiar faces alongside its new cast of characters. Among these is Anakin Skywalker, whose presence in the game extends far beyond a brief appearance.
While Anakin Skywalker headlines one of Star Wars Zero Company's trailers, player experiences after approximately 15 hours reveal his role is more significant than a simple cameo. He embodies the classic Jedi power fantasy while simultaneously serving to illustrate the limitations of a playable companion character.
The game places players in the role of Hawks, a customizable character leading a group of misfits tasked with investigating a cult for the Republic. The squad includes Clone Trooper Trick, Mandalorian Cly Kullervo, Baroness Jae Mordant, and Jedi Padawan Tel-Rea. The inclusion of a Jedi on the team initially raised questions about potential combat imbalances, given the formidable nature of Jedi warriors.
However, Tel-Rea's abilities in Star Wars Zero Company do not trivialize encounters. Each operator is limited to three Action Points (AP) per turn, which must be allocated between movement and special abilities. Tel-Rea's lightsaber attack, while potent, consumes significant AP, potentially leaving her vulnerable. She can also use her AP to deflect blaster fire, a necessary action for her survival once her turn concludes.
Despite these constraints, Tel-Rea is a valuable operative, adding variety to the team's blaster-heavy arsenal without unbalancing the game. Her capabilities also serve as a narrative tool, highlighting her current standing as a Padawan learner.
A pivotal mid-game mission sees Anakin Skywalker join the player's squad. During this mission, Hawks goes undercover to observe a prisoner transfer between the Republic and Separatists, with Anakin representing the Republic. An ambush ensues, forcing Hawks, Anakin, and a third unexpected ally to fight their way out.
This mission contrasts sharply with the game's typical challenge level. Before Anakin's arrival, missions often presented a significant challenge, with some squads barely surviving and sustaining injuries—a critical concern given the game's default permadeath setting. Anakin's presence, however, shifts the gameplay towards an "easy mode." As a seasoned Jedi Knight, his lightsaber attacks can decimate enemies, and his deflection abilities are highly effective. Furthermore, his lightsaber throw functions as a powerful ranged weapon, capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously. During this segment, players might find themselves having Hawks and the other operator hang back while Anakin handles most of the combat.
Experiencing Anakin's capabilities in one mission and then returning to Tel-Rea in subsequent ones effectively underscores how much she still needs to learn. This juxtaposition serves as a constant reminder that she is a young Padawan, not yet trained by a more experienced Jedi. While Tel-Rea can hold her own among her peers, she has a considerable journey ahead to reach the level of Anakin or other Jedi Knights.
The decision by developer Bit Reactor to portray Tel-Rea as a Padawan rather than fully embracing a Jedi power fantasy throughout the entire game is a strategic choice. If every mission offered the overwhelming power displayed by Anakin, the core appeal of Star Wars Zero Company's challenging tactical gameplay and the tension introduced by its permadeath mechanic would be diminished.