Star Wars Zero Company is a turn-based tactics game that blends its chosen genre with the beloved Star Wars universe, resulting in a smart, earnest, and heartfelt experience. Despite some rough edges indicative of its development cycle, the game shines as a tactical gem. The developers at Bit Reactor, many of whom have pedigree from Firaxis' XCOM series, have infused the game with deep tactical thinking, evident in its core mechanics.
The game's default difficulty is set to an accessible level, making it suitable for newcomers to the genre and a strong match for the Star Wars setting. Set during the late Clone Wars era, it navigates a tone that balances lighthearted action reminiscent of the animated series with the more introspective themes found in shows like Andor. This dual approach is handled with surprising success.
Unlike the heavily replayable campaigns of XCOM, Zero Company features a more linear narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. While it doesn't reach the writing sophistication of Andor, it meaningfully integrates its themes, even if character backstories are sometimes delivered through brief, repetitive dialogue. The voice acting can occasionally lean towards overly earnest, particularly with characters like Jae.
The gameplay loop offers a fresh take on the turn-based tactics formula. The removal of the traditional two-action limit in favor of three action points, with varying costs for different abilities, introduces a new layer of strategic depth. This encourages more careful consideration of character actions, such as deciding whether to position a character like Trick for a high-damage single-target attack or for broader utility.
Character customization and abilities are central to the tactical experience. Players can tailor characters like Hawkes, a sharpshooter, with skills that reward careful positioning and resource management. The Advantage resource, gained by landing hits, fuels powerful active abilities, adding another strategic consideration to combat encounters. Synergies between different characters' abilities, such as Tel-Rea Vokoss's Force abilities and Cly Kullervo's explosive potential, create opportunities for complex and rewarding chain reactions.
Mission design generally offers enjoyable challenges, with some standout dynamic scenarios. However, a number of missions follow a more conventional structure involving objectives like rescuing allies or capturing zones. These can become more engaging on higher difficulties.
Between missions, players manage their base in a third-person perspective, interacting with crewmates for exposition and character development. While these interactions are often charming, the base upgrade systems and Black Market store feel somewhat underdeveloped due to cost and pacing, limiting their strategic impact. Similarly, the Operations mini-game, presented as text-based scenarios, feels somewhat lightweight and could have been integrated more deeply.
Despite these limitations, the core tactical gameplay remains strong, with a focus on resource management and strategic decision-making. The game's systems, though sometimes light on their own, combine to create a satisfying experience. The developers' earnest effort is palpable throughout, making Star Wars Zero Company a flawed but ultimately lovable addition to the turn-based tactics genre.