Zero Company review: XCOM-style tactics meet the Clone Wars
Star Wars: Zero Company is a strategy game that combines XCOM-style combat with a story set during the Clone Wars. Players lead a mercenary group under a former Republic officer, taking on off-the-books missions. The review praises it for blending elements from the original and prequel trilogies into a unique adventure.
The game is developed by Bitreactor and published under Lucasfilm Games, retailing at $59.88 across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Players command Hawks, a customizable protagonist (male or female) whose backstory involves losing an entire military unit before turning to mercenary work. The campaign unfolds during the Clone Wars, blending that era's visual aesthetic with narrative themes—secret missions, underworld dealings, and Republic authoritarianism—that echo the original trilogy's rebel spirit. A Separatist plot involving a "magic plague" drives the central conflict, while Republic intelligence contracts provide mission structure.
This title could appeal to both longtime Star Wars fans and strategy-game enthusiasts, potentially bridging two distinct audiences. By merging XCOM-style tactical gameplay with a franchise known for broad accessibility, it may introduce turn-based strategy mechanics to players who typically avoid the genre. The game's fusion of prequel and original trilogy elements could also influence how future licensed properties approach era-crossing narratives, though its commercial success will ultimately determine whether this formula becomes a template for other developers.