Hands-on Star Wars Zero Company experience report

The vast expanse of the galaxy is a classic backdrop for epic tales, but rarely does a strategy game capture the zeitgeist quite like Star Wars. Now, developers Bit Reactor, Respawn Entertainment, and Lucasfilm Games are shaking up the genre by blending the legendary Clone Wars conflict with deep, turn-based tactics in a title that promises an explosive adventure on the PS5.

Step into the role of Hawks, a former Republic officer who has found himself on the run, burdened by debt from the brutal Hutt family. Hawks is part of a squad of mercenaries seeking freedom, but their journey quickly spirals into something far more dangerous when they are recruited for a lucrative operation involving the notorious Zero Company and the deadly Infinite Coil cult.

This is not just a skirmish; it is a deep dive into the sprawling conflict, challenging players to navigate the complexities of the war while grappling with shadowy forces and otherworldly powers.

The game immediately immerses you in the Star Wars atmosphere. From the title screen’s stirring orchestral score to the rich, dusky space-Western visuals, the aesthetic is unmistakably Star Wars, setting an emotional tone that feels both epic and grounded.

Customization allows players to fully inhabit their characters. Before the action begins, you can tailor your operatives with a wide array of races, including humans, Torgruta, Weequay, and Twi’lek, customizing everything from facial features and body types to unique outfits. Furthermore, selecting a personality—whether rogue, mentor, or professional—influences your character’s voice and dialogue, adding a layer of personal narrative to the mercenary experience.

On the battlefield, strategy reigns supreme. Players must decide how to deploy their forces, choosing combat styles, talent specializations, and weapon classes. Whether you are a sharpshooter with a longarm blaster or a rogue wielding a pistol, every move matters in the highly destructible arenas.

Astromechs, the trusty droids, are also valuable additions to the team. While not frontline fighters, they serve as essential support units, boosting allies with Action Points to enhance their capabilities. With customizable personalities, these droids offer a wry counterpoint to the often-whiny Battle Droids you encounter.

Beyond the tactical combat, the game rewards exploration and investigative depth. Players can venture into various hives of scum and villainy to uncover clues and information, making critical binary choices that shape the narrative and unlock hidden rewards. This information feeds directly into the Den, your central hub for managing operations.

The Den serves as the command center where you recruit new members, customize loadouts, manage resources, and heal your injured squad. It is here that bonds are forged. Decisions made during missions and Dilemmas affect the relationships between your Operatives, earning Focus points that unlock unique passive abilities and tactical advantages for your team, rewarding those who cooperate and trust one another.

Ultimately, Star Wars Zero Company offers more than just intense turn-based combat. It is a rich tapestry woven from deep lore, engaging character customization, and complex moral choices, ensuring that every mission leads to new narrative possibilities across the galaxy.