Star Wars Zero Company is an exciting new addition to the long list of Star Wars games, and it could be the perfect option for series fans who love a good squad-based story. EA has been teasing Star Wars Zero Company for well over a year now, but gamers who have been eager for this spin-off won’t have to wait much longer.
Star Wars Zero Company‘s release date is slated for August 27, so there are only a few more weeks until the game makes its debut. There is a lot to unpack when it comes to everything the game has to offer. An exciting cast of characters, a story set in one of Star Wars‘ most interesting eras, and fun-looking gameplay are just the tip of the iceberg of what players can expect.
Star Wars Zero Company’s Setting and Story Sets the Tone
A War Within a War
The Clone Wars is one of the most iconic eras in Star Wars history, and Star Wars Zero Company dives even deeper into what went down during this pivotal conflict. The game’s main shtick is that it follows a rag-tag group of mercenaries called Zero Company who are fighting a smaller battle within the overarching war.
Star Wars Zero Company‘s story takes place during the Clone Wars’ final days, and the squad has been assigned to hunt down a mysterious cult known as the Infinite Coil. Aligned with the Separatists, the Infinite Coil possesses a strange sickness called the Shadow Plague that the group is spreading throughout the Republic.
The clock is ticking, and Zero Company is the last line of defense. This kind of fight requires players to recruit squad members in order to build the ultimate team that’s capable of taking down a threat as powerful and dangerous as the Infinite Coil.
A Cast Made Up of Compelling Newcomers and Familiar Faces
Zero Company’s Core Members and Side Characters
The squad is made up of both original characters (Operators) made specifically for the story and customizable members that players can create and add into the fold. Zero Company is led by Hawks, a disgraced Grand Army of the Republic who is now working on their own terms. An Operator’s background doesn’t matter as long as they can help Hawks get the job done. Beyond Hawks, the other pre-written characters bring their own unique skills to the story.
- Trick
- Tel-Rea Vokoss
- Cly Kullervo
- Luco Bronc
- Jae Mordant
- Kabb Uppercut
- Runa Blask
- Bennic Halloran
- Neesh Renark
- M-3VO
Beyond that, there are some exciting cameos, too. Anakin Skywalker is in Star Wars Zero Company, and there are bound to be other recognizable Clone Wars-era characters that are set for a surprise appearance. It’s hard to say exactly who will show up, but it would be surprising if Anakin was the only one.
It wouldn’t be a Star Wars story without a solid antagonist, and Star Wars Zero Company‘s big bad villain is Kundri Fathom. She leads the Infinite Coil with charisma and confidence. She isn’t alone in her goals, though. The other major characters confirmed to be part of the Infinite Coil are Fathom’s loyal lieutenant Visser and a Shadow Plague-obsessed droid called Typhon.
Giving Star Wars a Turn-Based Twist
XCOM, But With the Force
One of the biggest draws of Star Wars Zero Company is that it’s a bit of a spiritual successor to the XCOM series. Developer Bit Reactor was founded by a group of developers who had previously worked on games like XCOM, Civilization, and even Gears of War, and Zero Company‘s focus on turn-based combat is going to be the feature that it has most in common with the popular turn-based sci-fi franchise.
Turn-based tactical games may not have the same wide-reaching appeal as FPS or RPG titles have, but that could actually make Star Wars Zero Company a great starting point for gamers who have been curious about trying out this kind of game. Combat choices matter, and that adds to the replayability.
Games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 demonstrated that turn-based combat has a real chance at a comeback, and it’s going to be interesting to see if Star Wars Zero Company is able to continue that momentum. After the success of the Star Wars Jedi series, EA’s release of a turn-based tactical game is a surprising move, but it’s also a compelling shake-up.
The Rest of Star Wars Zero Company’s Features Are the Cherry on Top
Character Customization and Squad Bonding Round Out the Gameplay
One particularly interesting feature is the character customization. Hawks is the most customizable character in Star Wars Zero Company, and the ways in which players can make the squad leader their own are robust. Players can choose Hawks’ gender, hairstyle, and facial features, but players even have the ability to choose what species the character is.
When it comes to the scripted characters who are part of the Zero Company crew, they are less customizable with more standard things like outfits and weapon loadouts making up the bulk of their customizability. However, non-scripted recruits can be made pretty unique. You can choose from 12 classes, 10 species, 4 weapon types, and 10 different personalities.
The Zero Company squad isn’t just about crafting a group with a one-of-a-kind, customized look, though. Group dynamics are essential, so players will have to work to make sure that the squad’s bond is strong. If your squad can’t properly work together, then it could spell defeat for Zero Company.
There Is Still Time to Get Star Wars Zero Company’s Pre-Order Bonuses
How Much It Costs and Where You Can Play It
The price of Star Wars Zero Company depends on whether you get the Standard Edition or the Deluxe Edition. It also depends on which console you’re playing it on. Unfortunately, the digital-only console version is more expensive than the PC version, regardless of what edition is bought.
- Standard Edition: $49.99 (PC) / $59.99 (Consoles)
- Deluxe Edition: $59.99 (PC) / $69.99 (Consoles)
- Available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
Pre-ordering either edition will grant players the Crystalline Astromech Aesthetic Pack, which features four droid cosmetics. The Deluxe Edition features three more cosmetic packs, though.
- Grand Army of the Republic Cosmetic Pack (exclusive uniforms and armor sets)
- Five Exclusive Painted Weapons Theme (firearm cosmetics)
- Shadow Collective Cosmetic Pack (face tattoos and Pyke Syndicate helmets)
Cosmetics aren’t a game-changer or anything, but those who are especially interested in Star Wars Zero Company‘s character customization will get the most out of the Deluxe Edition content. Even without the pre-order content, it looks like Star Wars Zero Company has plenty to offer when it comes to gameplay.
