Is The Force Strong With Star Wars: Republic Commando? A Retro Review
Introduction
Recently, I went to see Revenge of the Sith for its 20th anniversary. And honestly? I loved it! From the starships zooming above Coruscant to the climactic battle between Obi-Wan and Anakin, now Darth Vader, it's my favorite of the prequel trilogy and maybe my favorite of the entire saga. So, I was on a Star Wars high. And that got me thinking. What is something Star Wars-related that I could do for Into The Backlog? Upon scrolling through my Steam library, I found my answer: Republic Commando. So, with May the 4th right around the corner, let's see what action-packed adventure Delta Squad has in store for us in 2025.
Mission Briefing: Delta Squad’s Clone Wars Saga
In Republic Commando, you take on the role of Delta 38 (Boss), an elite clone commando tasked with leading his four-person squad consisting of himself and clone commandos Delta 62 (Scorch), Delta 40 (Fixer), and Delta 07 (Sev) on dangerous missions to secure victory for the Galactic Republic against the Separatist droid armies. How dangerous? Try assassinations, going behind enemy lines, and exploring a trandoshan-infested Acclamator-Class Assault Ship, for example.
CREDIT: LucasArts | Clone Commandos Delta 07 (Sev), Delta 40 (Fixer). and Delta 62 (Scorch)
Set during the height of the Clone Wars, the game thrusts you into the gritty, boots-on-the-ground perspective of the Republic's most elite soldiers. This unique viewpoint offers a fresh and intriguing take on the Star Wars universe, as you'll wage war across the galaxy from the sand-covered and runner-up for the worst planet in the galaxy, Geonosis, to the forested planet of Kashyyyk.
What I love here is just getting to play as the Clone Commandos. We've seen them around in books and, more notably, in The Clone Wars and Bad Batch. Many Star Wars stories, however, focus on the never-ending conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. So, getting to play as them was an absolute delight. With Republic Commando's gritty visuals and immersive audio setting the stage for a raw Clone Wars experience, it's time to dive into the heart of Delta Squad's missions: the gameplay that brings this war-torn galaxy to life.
Galaxy in Grit: Visuals and Sounds of War
From the moment we emerge from the cloning chamber, Star Wars: Republic Commando greets us with visuals that still shine despite being twenty years old. The graphics, while dated, provide a grittier, messier take on what we've seen previously. This is war, after all. And these are not Jedi we're playing as. These are soldiers. So, the splatter as you drive your blade into the attacking Geonosians or the fluids from battle droids only adds to that hardened, darker tone. But what made this game was the audio. The interactions and banter between Boss, voiced by Jango Fett himself, Temuera Morrison, make this game. The little bits of dialogue between the commandos go a long way in endearing us to these characters. All of this comes together to create a remarkable experience—a tale of four brothers fighting against impossible odds to bring victory to the Republic they serve.
Battlefront Tactics: Commanding Delta Squad
What the game lacks in visual fidelity, it more than makes up for with its engaging and strategic gameplay. Republic Commando is a tactical first-person shooter that puts you in control of Delta 38 (Boss) as he commands his squad, navigating perilous situations in pursuit of victory. The gunplay here is not just good. It's great. It's always thrilling when you drop in and gun down battle droids alongside your squad. Every battle feels intense and satisfying, whether using the many attachments for the DC-17m blaster rifle or the Wookie Rocket Launcher.
But what truly elevates the gameplay experience is the dynamic between the squad members. First up is Scorch, the demolitions expert and the comedian of the group; Fixer, the straight man and skilled computer specialist; and finally, there's Sev, the sniper and gruesome sadist. Each member serves a vital role in the team, and their unique personalities and skills make you feel genuinely connected to the squad. From having Scorch set up an explosive to clear the path forward to having Sev take up a sniper position to punish oncoming enemies, each member of our merry band has a role to play, and it's a joy to see them in action.
CREDIT: LucasArts | Directing Fixer to splice a console
The intelligence of the CPUs here is impressive. There are many times when you'll have an AI companion, and they will be worthless. That was the case when I originally played Resident Evil 6 on my Xbox 360 back in the day. These guys I can trust to have my back. Even when I'm downed and need to be picked up, they're smart enough not to just run out into the open but instead focus on the enemy until it's safe to get you.
But something is missing, isn't there? What about Multiplayer? After enjoying the game, I was looking forward to trying it out. Unfortunately, multiplayer is no longer officially supported due to the shutdown of Gamespy, the service that hosted the servers. The original Xbox and PC versions relied on GameSpy for online matchmaking, and after its closure, official multiplayer functionality ceased. However, it is still playable using mods and community servers.
Would I Recommend?
Now comes the big question. Would I recommend it? Hell yeah! I can't speak highly enough about Republic Commando. The story is excellent, albeit a bit short. It took me about twelve hours to beat, but it can be shorter if you know what you're doing. The gameplay is excellent, with my only complaint being that some of the enemies, like the B2 battle droid, are a little bullet-spongey. It's a definite must-play for any serious Star Wars fan, but that's my opinion. So, I'd like to hear from you! Have you played Republic Commando before? What did you think about it? Leave your comments below!
