Developer Bit Reactor has revealed further details about Star Wars Zero Company, an upcoming XCOM-style tactics RPG set during the Clone Wars era. Players will take on the role of Hawks, a leader of "unconventional professionals" battling an unknown galactic threat. A key character revealed is the Jedi Padawan, Tel-Rea, who possesses abilities such as dual-wielding lightsabers and Force Pushing enemies. However, Tel-Rea is permakillable, and players only have access to this single Jedi Padawan character, with no means to train a replacement.
The developers seem to be intentionally avoiding the typical Star Wars trope where Jedi characters overpower all others. This limited availability of a powerful unit may serve as a balancing mechanic. Despite the scarcity of Jedi, the game will allow players to field an entire squad composed of R2-D2 units, referred to as astromechs. These robotic companions can be deployed in numbers, offering a potentially dominant tactical option.
Star Wars Zero Company is designed as a linear RPG experience, estimated to last between 30 and 40 hours. The game will not feature plot branching, formal romances between characters, or plans for modding support. There will also be no New Game+ option. The campaign structure includes "Operations," which are described as quick, optional activities that may incorporate light branching narratives, and more traditional "missions." Some missions can be postponed, but story-critical ones will eventually become mandatory.
Players will have access to 12 distinct classes, including four "exotic" classes, one of which is the Jedi Padawan. While some pre-written characters will be available, players can also create their own custom protagonists. The possibility of a yet-unannounced fourth exotic class being a Jedi Master has been speculated.
The combat system will take place across 150 different planets. Before engaging in missions, players will have the ability to scout the maps. A shared "Advantage" resource pool will be available for tide-turning special abilities used by the team. To prevent predictable gameplay, new mission types such as sabotage and VIP rescue are being introduced, aiming to move away from the "traditionally safe Overwatch crawl strategy commonly found in tactics games."
Greg Foertsch, founder of Bit Reactor and creative director on the game, has emphasized the value of keeping teams together, drawing on his experience as art director for XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2. Star Wars Zero Company is set to launch on August 27. Permadeath can be optionally disabled by players.