Star Wars: Republic Commando
- July 8, 2009
- LucasArts
- 9h median play time
"Star Wars: Republic Commando" is a tactical first-person shooter game set in the Star Wars universe. As the leader of an elite squad of clone commandos, you'll undertake missions during the Clone Wars, utilizing advanced weapons and strategic abilities to overcome hostile environments and enemies. The game offers a compelling blend of intense combat, squad-based tactics, and Star Wars lore.
Reviews
- story3,886 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Star Wars: Republic Commando" is generally praised for its engaging narrative that follows Delta Squad, an elite group of clone commandos, through various missions during the Clone Wars. Players appreciate the character development and camaraderie among squad members, which adds depth to the gameplay experience. However, many reviews note that the story is relatively short, consisting of only three main missions, and ends on a cliffhanger that leaves players wanting more, particularly due to the game's cancellation of a sequel. Overall, while the story may not be groundbreaking, it effectively immerses players in the gritty realities of war from a unique perspective within the Star Wars universe.
“The game features an intricate and engaging narrative which takes you through the story of a clone commando squad, with an emotional and cliffhanger end to it.”
“The story is good, the characters are well written and there are times when I laughed, despite the serious tone.”
“The story is gritty and satisfying with a hint of humor sprinkled into it.”
“But f####ng hell, the whole storytelling in the game is just little text notes briefing before starting a mission, short dialogue briefing with a commander through the hologram on your ship, and after that - a cut to a black screen (most of the time) and then starting the mission.”
“Ending of the game [spoiler]is awful, after the last mission the game just cuts to a black screen, then the game cuts to a f####ng text briefing, then you start the game and listen to a short holo-dialogue and the game just cuts to f####ng credits with a cliffhanger for a sequel which never came out and was cancelled back in 2005-2006.”
“The story is also fine, nothing to write home about, but besides some interesting set pieces such as the republic cruiser, it ends without much significance.”
- gameplay2,702 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Star Wars: Republic Commando" is widely praised for its engaging squad mechanics and tactical elements, allowing players to command a team of clone commandos in various combat scenarios. While the game is noted for its linear structure and some repetitive elements, many players find the shooting mechanics satisfying and the overall experience immersive, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and strategy. Despite its age, the gameplay still holds up well, making it a recommended title for fans of both the Star Wars franchise and first-person shooters.
“Absolutely loved the story and gameplay, old game with its quirks, but stands the test of time.”
“The gameplay is top notch (especially the squad coordination, which in my opinion is much better than in Mass Effect for example) and the story quite good and offers a wide variety of missions.”
“The gameplay is really interesting and still holds up even though the game launched almost 20 years ago!”
“The gameplay is heavily dated, janky, and the enemies are bullet sponges.”
“The gameplay itself is repetitive and tedious at best, and downright frustrating at worst.”
“The gameplay can get repetitive in some places but it's overall a very good game.”
- graphics1,830 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Republic Commando" are generally considered dated, reflecting its 2005 release, but many players find that they still hold up reasonably well given the game's age. While some reviews note that the visuals lack the polish of modern titles, the unique art style and atmospheric design contribute positively to the overall experience. Players often recommend using community mods to enhance the graphics, which can significantly improve the visual quality and resolution for contemporary systems.
“Graphically, the game has a good and kind of dark atmosphere - and oh my lord, stylistically the game looks incredible.”
“Despite the game's age, the design of foes and environments is striking, fitting well without becoming confusing.”
“For 2005 standards, the graphics are amazing!”
“The only downside is that the gunplay is not very satisfying and the graphics didn't age well, has some bugs that have to be fixed using guides from the community.”
“The graphics and the UI aged somewhat badly, but the story is still something worth experiencing.”
“Bad graphics (even for a 2005 game) and horrible interface.”
- music870 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Republic Commando" has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality, blending iconic Star Wars themes with original compositions that enhance the game's atmosphere. Players appreciate the dramatic and immersive soundtrack, particularly the standout track "Vode An," which resonates deeply within the game's context. While some critiques mention occasional repetitiveness and a few out-of-place tracks, the overall consensus is that the music significantly elevates the gaming experience, making it one of the best soundtracks in the Star Wars franchise.
“The soundtrack and sound design is stellar!”
“The soundtrack is amazing.”
“The music is incredible.”
“The music is okay I think, but it's so damn loud and always going off that I just turned it off to spare my hearing.”
“In regards to the music score, it is a bit anemic and most of it is lifted from the movies, but the songs are at least used correctly for the most part, although there was one use of the 'Duel of Fates' that was completely out of place in the first level.”
“The music is acceptable; it has borrowed all its three songs from the Star Wars movies and they put them on repeat.”
- atmosphere308 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and gritty portrayal of the Star Wars universe, effectively capturing the tension and camaraderie of a clone commando squad. Players appreciate the combination of dark visuals, a compelling soundtrack, and engaging sound design, which together create a unique and memorable experience. Despite some dated graphics, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature, enhancing both gameplay and storytelling.
“This game is awesome, really captures the feel and atmosphere of being a clone commando squad.”
“The atmosphere is the best part about this and pretty dark and gritty for a Star Wars game, it feels a lot more serious and, well, like you're a grunt soldier in a war zone, which you are.”
“They nailed the atmosphere and managed to create the perfect gritty sci-fi shooter, and managed to do it in the fantastical universe of Star Wars.”
“The atmosphere of the game feels a lot darker and there are no Jedi around to wipe droids out quickly.”
“The maps all feel unique, but they're all long enough for the atmosphere to become a bit repetitive by the end of the chapter.”
“The campaign is fairly weak but each mission is a solid and well-built section of the game and I will admit one in particular made me paranoid with the atmosphere.”
- humor294 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by witty dialogue and memorable banter among the squad members, particularly from the character Scorch, who provides comic relief amidst the intense action. While some players find the humor to be hit-or-miss, many appreciate the clever one-liners and the unique personalities of the characters, which add depth to the gameplay experience. Overall, the humor effectively balances the game's serious tone, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.
“The humor of Delta Squad is nice and the music is amazing though.”
“The characters bounce off of each other really well and they all have humorous back and forth between each other.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed partaking in Delta Squad's various missions, chuckled at the bits of humor here and there, and soaked up the accompanying story.”
- replayability136 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it highly replayable due to its engaging multiplayer mode and various difficulty settings, while others criticize its linear campaign and lack of additional content, leading to minimal replay value. Many reviews highlight that although the campaign is short and can be completed quickly, the enjoyment derived from different playstyles and challenges can enhance replayability for some. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate its mechanics and story, but it may not satisfy players seeking extensive replay options.
“While the campaign can be completed in a relatively short time, the high replay value lies in the game's intense multiplayer mode.”
“The story and missions are fun and thrilling, the characters memorable, and the game is absolutely replayable.”
“It may be a relatively short game, but its replay value is astounding.”
“The game is essentially non-replayable, unless you want to try the multiplayer (I did not).”
“There is virtually no replayability, but considering the current price for this game, the 9-12 hours of gameplay you'll get are well worth what you'll pay.”
“There's no multiplayer community and no single-player replayability either - the campaign is entirely scripted so every run through will be the same.”
- stability120 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent glitches and bugs, particularly on modern systems like Windows 10. While some users found the experience enjoyable despite these issues, others described it as a "buggy mess" that can hinder gameplay, especially with AI behavior and performance inconsistencies. Overall, the game's age contributes to its instability, but it remains playable for those willing to overlook these flaws.
“Not even putting on the nostalgia goggles, apart from some weirdness with mouse sensitivity (honestly par for the course in a console port), this was a polished, bug-free experience.”
“Despite being an old game, I've only had it crash once and have encountered no glitches or bugs so far.”
“It runs great, the gameplay is good, and it's an overall great game.”
“While fun for a while, the game just turns into a buggy mess.”
“I cannot recommend this game with its current status; the game is really buggy and unplayable.”
“Tldr: this is a hard game to play because it's a buggy mess and a console port that hasn't aged well.”
- optimization64 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's optimization for PC is widely criticized, with many players reporting performance issues, bugs, and a lack of support for modern hardware. While some users have found success using community mods to improve resolution and frame rates, the overall experience remains inconsistent, particularly for those playing on newer systems. Despite its age and optimization shortcomings, the game still offers enjoyable gameplay, especially for those willing to invest time in tweaking settings or applying fixes.
“Note: using the 'Republic Commando fix' mod for the game is a must for any PC players, updating the resolution, frame rate, and general performance of the game on modern computers.”
“If you decide to play it, download the optimization patch from the community tab for an even better experience.”
“The graphics have aged well and it runs smoothly on modern operating systems with no compatibility issues.”
“This game was clearly optimized to be played on console, and playing on PC there are some bugs that literally make progress impossible.”
“Horribly optimized for PC: I know it is an old game, but no matter how I manage the settings, I always get choppy frame rate (which is weird as my FPS counter shows up to 400 FPS).”
“The only gripe I have is the optimization; it could use an update to add higher resolutions.”
- emotional62 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its intricate narrative and character development, which fosters a deep connection with the clone commando squad. Players report feeling a range of emotions, from excitement to heartbreak, particularly at the poignant cliffhanger ending that leaves many longing for a sequel. The interactions among squad members, filled with humor and depth, enhance the emotional investment, making it one of the most memorable and impactful experiences in gaming.
“One of the most engrossing and emotional shooters I've ever played, and quite possibly the best Star Wars FPS.”
“I cried at the end of this game, and I rarely cry at games.”
“As the game goes along, I grew an emotional bond with the other members of my squad, caring for them and all that.”
- grinding56 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 64 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that battles against bullet sponge enemies lead to a frustrating experience. While some appreciate the active squad management, the overall sentiment suggests that the gameplay can feel like a grind, particularly due to weak weapons and poor AI. Nostalgia may soften the experience for some, but many reviewers agree that the game often lacks engaging content, making it feel like a chore.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Nostalgia may soften the experience for those who played it at launch, but for me this was tedious.”
“I can't tell if it is because the guns are generally weak, or that the enemies are given way too much health, but it feels tedious and unsatisfying to have a squad of four shoot at a super droid for 45 seconds in order to defeat it.”
“The gameplay itself is repetitive and tedious at best, and downright frustrating at worst.”
- character development48 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the strong bonds and interactions among the characters, particularly within the squad, while others note a lack of an overarching narrative and limited individual growth. Despite this, many appreciate the entertaining banter and the emotional attachment fostered through dialogue and gameplay moments. Overall, while not universally acclaimed, the character development is highlighted as a standout feature by several players, contributing to a rich gaming experience.
“This game has great character development and you will love the story and the bonds you build with your 3 companions/brothers.”
“In summary, the character development is absolutely stunning.”
“There is great character development and dialogue throughout the game that gives the player an attachment to the characters.”
“The story...there isn't one over-arching narrative for Delta Squad, no real character development - but it's their interaction in moment-to-moment gameplay that hooked me.”
“It has a decent story with good characters and dialogue but not a whole lot of character development, to be honest.”
“No real character development, although it is interesting to see how clones interact.”
- monetization32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 63 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, which contrasts sharply with many modern titles, particularly in the Star Wars franchise. Reviewers appreciate the game's polished release and the focus on gameplay rather than predatory monetization practices, although some express concerns about weapon mechanics and overall balance, suggesting that the game feels like a cash grab despite its lack of microtransactions. Overall, players value the straightforward approach to monetization, emphasizing a desire for engaging gameplay without the distractions of additional purchases.
“If you like single player FPS games with a decent production budget and no microtransactions, then sooner or later you need to play this.”
“And while it is old, remember that this game came from an era where games were released polished and relatively bug-free, without microtransactions.”
“Who needs microtransactions to make this fun? All I need is a target and a little bit more power for the blaster, and maybe make super battle droids not as hard to deal with.”
“If you are a fan of Star Wars and interested in FPS games, this is a very interesting and unique take, that wasn't really explored, since most tactical shooters are much slower in pacing and far too punishing for the general audience, while other Star Wars games are too busy making you addicted to predatory microtransactions.”
“Feels like a cash grab COD clone.”
“Ads is a pain and hardly smooth; your character takes ages to change weapons, and let's face facts here: the rifles in Battlefront 2 were significantly more accurate than anything in this game.”