EA and Bit Reactor's Star Wars Zero Company launches with a familiar premise: a tactical, turn-based strategy game heavily inspired by the XCOM series. Founded by XCOM art director Greg Foertsch, the studio's lineage is undeniable, but Star Wars Zero Company strives to be more than a mere reskin. After nearly 30 hours of gameplay, it successfully carves out its own identity within the beloved Star Wars universe, offering an impressive experience despite some notable technical shortcomings.

A Galaxy Far From Perfect

The game is set during the tumultuous final months of the Clone Wars, a period familiar to fans from the prequel films and The Clone Wars TV series. Players assume the role of Hawks, a disgraced Republic captain now leading a mercenary outfit. This crew includes his Togruta second-in-command Runa, the injured Clone soldier Trick, alien boxer Kabbney Uppercut, and Lesat smuggler Neesh. Hawks themselves can be customized in appearance and species. The narrative kicks off with Hawks and his team struggling, leading them to accept a covert contract with the Republic to combat a burgeoning cult led by the enigmatic Fathom, who exhibits an unsettling ability to control her followers.

Over 20 hours, Zero Company weaves a compelling Star Wars story, one that stands tall against recent live-action productions in its writing and pacing. The plot features twists, turns, and meaningful cameos from characters like Anakin Skywalker, delivering a genuinely satisfying Star Wars narrative. The story's conclusion felt perfect, yet the journey made it difficult to stop playing.

Building a Found Family

A significant draw of Zero Company is the development of relationships between its diverse crew. Hawks eventually recruits a mix of former Separatists, Republic clones, criminals, Jedi, and bounty hunters. Their interactions between missions are a highlight, with a vast amount of unique dialogue that fleshes out each operator's personality. The game even features a mechanic to track crew camaraderie, which can influence choices in critical situations. The relationship between Trick, a Clone Wars veteran, and Luco, an Umbaran sniper, exemplifies this, showcasing how characters with past animosity can develop respect under shared adversity. The potential for permanent character death adds weight to these dynamics, making the narrative's impact even greater.

Tactical Engagements

When not managing the crew, players will engage in turn-based tactical combat against various enemies, including droids, cultists, and mercenaries. Up to four squad members can be deployed on missions, each with distinct roles like sniper, medic, or gunslinger, granting them unique abilities and bonuses. Gear and weapon modifications further customize the squad.

Combat typically begins immediately upon landing on a planet, with each operator having three action points to manage movement, attacks, and other abilities per turn. However, approximately 20 percent of the time, the game transitions into superfluous third-person exploration segments with Hawks. While these sections offer a glimpse of the detailed environments, they rarely involve meaningful dialogue, threats, or puzzles, and only one mission effectively utilizes this mode. Removing these segments would likely not detract from the overall experience.

The turn-based combat itself is where Star Wars Zero Company truly shines. Missions vary, featuring scenarios like fighting enemy waves, defusing bombs, rescuing civilians, or evading bombers, keeping gameplay fresh. The game masterfully balances player options, providing enough tactical choices to escape difficult situations without overwhelming the player. Even early in the game, operators have a good range of actions, from direct attacks to positioning for overwatch. A standout mechanic allows squad members to call on nearby allies for assistance, adding another layer of tactical depth and strengthening bonds between characters, which can unlock new bonuses.

Unit Diversity and Synergies

The game excels at making its units feel distinct. A recruited Jedi, for instance, utilizes lightsaber attacks and Force abilities, contrasting sharply with the gear-and-armor-focused units. Droids serve as agile support units with their own strengths and weaknesses, while a Mandalorian bounty hunter can use a jetpack for strategic positioning and employ shock darts to slow enemies. This variety in unit types not only enhances gameplay but also fits the Star Wars trope of unlikely groups banding together.

As players progress, unlocking upgrades and better gear allows for more complex tactical chains. A satisfying end-of-turn strategy involves placing operators on overwatch, then using explosives to force enemies into their line of fire, leading to visually impressive cinematic takedowns.

A Rough Battlefield

Despite its strengths, Star Wars Zero Company is significantly hampered by numerous technical issues. Camera problems are frequent, with shots sometimes obscured by environmental objects during cinematic moments or failing to show critical events like enemy reinforcements or incoming damage. These can disrupt immersion and obscure vital information.

More frustrating are the performance issues and game hangs. Larger battles involving numerous enemies often result in the game freezing for up to a minute when a turn ends or an ability is used, breaking the flow of combat. The framerate can also be inconsistent, dropping significantly both in and out of missions, even on platforms like the PS5 Pro. While a full crash was not experienced, these performance dips are noticeable and detract from the overall experience.

It is a shame that these technical problems plague an otherwise great tactical game. When Zero Company functions as intended, it offers thrilling combat, engaging character interactions, and a captivating story. However, the frequent jank and performance issues may prove too much for players less invested in the Star Wars IP or the genre. With reports of staff furloughs at the developer, the confidence in post-launch support is uncertain. Should necessary patches be released, Star Wars Zero Company could evolve from a flawed but special experience into a highly recommended title for fans of tactical strategy games. | SOURCE1