Star Wars Zero Company is shaping up to be a standout tactics game, as our hands-on preview reveals a compelling blend of XCOM-style combat and a rich Clone Wars narrative. Developed by Bit Reactor, a studio formed by ex-Firaxis staff, the game is set to launch on August 27, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, priced at £49.99.
Gameplay and Setting
The game places players in command of a mercenary group during the tail end of the Clone Wars, between Episode II and III. You play as a fully customizable boss who lands a government contract with the Republic to run clandestine missions and investigate a mysterious cult called the Coil. The Coil, a new faction with Force-like abilities, is spreading a virus via scorpion-like insects and invading planets using Separatist droid armies.
While the tactical combat is reminiscent of XCOM, the meta-level strategy back at your base draws from Marvel's Midnight Suns. You can wander in third person, chat with employees, manage weapon loadouts, skill trees, recruitment, medical care, and base upgrades. The conversations are shorter and better written than Midnight Suns, more akin to Mass Effect, and can lead to optional side quests.
Combat Mechanics and Characters
Combat features an isometric viewpoint with far better graphics than XCOM. Each character has action points, allowing movement and shooting, with variations based on abilities and weapons. For instance, a blaster pistol can fire three rounds in a turn, while heavier weapons end the turn after firing. Unique class abilities include rocket launchers and granting extra action points. Overwatch mode uses a vision cone, where hitting enemies depends on cone size and shape.
There's no fog of war, and permadeath only occurs after two injuries. The AI is competent, and the Coil's 'resonance' effect boosts nearby enemies when one is killed, adding strategic depth. Teamwork is encouraged, with mechanics allowing automatic fire at the same target and earning points to improve stats.
Jedi and Story Missions
Your team can include an ex-clone trooper, a new alien, astromech droids (support units with grenades and scanners), and a Jedi with unique Force powers. The Jedi isn't overpowered, but a preview level with Anakin Skywalker shows lightsaber combat that cuts through enemies, contrasting with the Jedi's more measured abilities.
The final preview level involves the Coil setting bombs at a Bespin gas facility, with a HMP droid gunship raining missiles, creating a tense and impressive spectacle. The game lacks XCOM's sandbox freedom but compensates with a stronger focus on storytelling and cinematic presentation, learning from Midnight Suns' successes and failures.
With its polished presentation and engaging script, Star Wars Zero Company seems destined for game of the year consideration, even as the broader Star Wars franchise faces creative and commercial challenges. The game offers a mainstream-friendly entry point into tactics games, with controls as simple as pointing where to go and who to shoot.
