Launching on August 28 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, Star Wars Zero Company is a single-player turn-based tactical game set during the iconic Clone Wars era. Fans are quite buzzing with anticipation, largely because it is co-developed by Bit Reactor—founded by key developers from the XCOM series—and Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind the Star Wars Jedi series.

This title sheds light on the covert warfare hidden behind the grand frontlines of a massive galactic war. You step into the boots of Hawkes, a disgraced former Republic officer tasked with leading the mercenary outfit known as Zero Company. Against a massive threat looking to swallow the entire galaxy whole, you must band together operatives from all sorts of backgrounds and lead fierce battles to victory.

The Clone Wars backdrop is a time when the Republic and the Separatists are locked in a tense stalemate. Behind the colossal ground battles, gritty espionage and small-scale tactical operations play out endlessly. You will experience another side of the war by carrying out covert missions across the galaxy, such as infiltrating Separatist bases or raiding pirate outposts.

The primary antagonist facing Hawkes and Zero Company is a shadowy paramilitary cult called the Infinite Coil. Led by the dangerous Kundri Fadem and fronted by key members like Visurr and the mechanical lifeform Typhon, this corrupt faction aims to expand its influence across the galaxy. Putting a stop to these baddies, who are far too tough for standard regular troops to handle, is the ultimate goal of the mercenary squad.

The choices you make through repeated battles will massively impact the narrative. Allies might turn out to be foes, and vice versa. Therefore, beyond just managing troops, you will need a sharp eye to tell who your true friends and enemies really are.

Zero Company's operatives are outlaws and outcasts gathered from all walks of life. The cynical Republic clone trooper Trick joins the ranks alongside the Umbaran sniper Luka Bronk. You will also meet the revenge-seeking Mandalorian gunslinger Clay Kulerbo and a former boxer belonging to the original species, the Cabb character Uppercut.

While certain characters come with fixed lore and traits, you can also craft your very own custom operatives. You are entirely free to forge the appearance, voice, and profession of the protagonist Hawkes, along with the species and looks of your squadmates. You can pick from various species like Rodians or humans, or even go for an extreme composition packed entirely with astromech droids.

Crew members heading out into battle together gradually forge bonds as they overcome hardships. Even if relationships start off frosty, they develop into trusted comrades through repeated missions. These shifting relationships don't just affect the narrative; they also unlock fresh combat synergies like team cover fire, directly boosting your overall combat prowess.

Furthermore, securing victory in battle requires making the absolute most of each character's abilities. Operatives are assigned one of eight specialisations: Combatant, Gunner, Heavy, Medic, Scoundrel, Scout, Sharpshooter, and Soldier. You can pull off slick combos, like using the Jedi Force to push an enemy out of cover for a sharpshooter to finish off, or having a droid toss a healing stim to a mortally wounded ally.

A difficulty adjustment feature is also included to crank up the tension. On higher difficulties, saving is restricted and characters face permadeath, meaning a single tactical blunder leads to painful consequences. On the flip side, the developers have thoughtfully crafted a lower difficulty setting for fans who might not be well-versed in turn-based strategy or simply want to soak in the story itself.

After wrapping up grueling missions, the mercenary band returns to their operational base in the Caprine Ring to regroup. Here, you can chat with squadmates to build camaraderie, recruit fresh operatives, and swap out gear. There are also base management elements that let you upgrade interior facilities to match your playstyle and current needs.

The developers emphasised that 'one of the main strengths of this title is the largest and most immersive galaxy in any Star Wars game to date.' As you explore this world, you will need to keep tabs on the ever-shifting tides of war and pick your next operations yourself. Weighing the risks of missions against their rewards is key to planning ahead and staying one step ahead of enemy factions.

Hunting down various nods to the original lore while exploring the world is another cheeky bit of fun. You can visit a colourful array of planets depicted across different media, such as 'Saranorus' from season 2 of the animated show Star Wars: The Bad Batch, 'Vandor' from the film Solo, and 'Mapuzo' seen in the television series Obi-Wan Kenobi.