Following a 12-hour hands-on preview, published critique of developer Bitreactor's turn-based tactics game Star Wars Zero Company highlights a solid combat foundation that struggles to sustain a longer campaign. Set during the Clone Wars, the game casts players as Hawks, the leader of a mercenary outfit working for Republic Intelligence to pay off a debt to the Hutts.
Combat Systems and Tactical Depth
Review findings point to satisfying squad-based mechanics, particularly the Backup system. Each turn, a character can instruct an ally to fire a free shot at a designated target, combining with Overwatch abilities to quickly dispatch enemies. Weapon modifications and Action Point (AP) management—such as unloading bursts of fire or managing melee attacks with characters like Kabbney and Jae—provide immediate tactical choices.
However, critics note that early missions rely heavily on standard rifle combat, leading to repetitive encounters. While specialty recruits like an astromech droid with grenades or a Jedi Padawan capable of deflecting blaster fire are introduced later, preview reports indicate their kits do not feel distinct enough from traditional blaster units to significantly alter moment-to-moment strategies.
Campaign Pacing and Player Fit
Published evaluations suggest the game's broader systems miss an opportunity for experimentation. A bond-based progression system encourages players to stick with the same squad, and a lenient permadeath mechanic removes the pressure to rotate characters. While comparisons to expansive sandboxes like Baldur's Gate 3 or high-stakes tactical tests like XCOM 2 highlight different design philosophies, early reports conclude that Zero Company functions as a competent strategy game that currently lacks the playful experimentation needed for a 30-hour campaign.