Star Wars: Republic Commando
- July 8, 2009
- LucasArts
- 9h median play time
Republic Commando reforms delta squad as a worthy tactical shooter on the nintendo switch, despite performance bugs which hinder an influential piece of star wars media.
"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
- story1,943 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 an elite squad of clone commandos during the Clone Wars, providing a unique perspective on the conflict. Players appreciate the well-developed characters and their interactions, which enhance the emotional depth of the story, despite some criticism regarding its brevity and abrupt ending. While the game lacks extensive cutscenes, the storytelling is effectively conveyed through mission briefings and squad dialogue, making it a memorable experience for fans of 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.”
“Absolutely loved the story and gameplay, an old game with its quirks, but it stands the test of time.”
“The story is good, the characters are well written and there are times when I laughed, despite the serious tone.”
“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 is awful; after the last mission, the game just cuts to a black screen, then 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 very barebones with little characterization, but it’s no biggie.”
- gameplay1,351 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 depth, allowing players to command a team of clone commandos in various combat scenarios. While some reviews note that the gameplay can feel linear and repetitive, many appreciate the balance of action and strategy, as well as the game's ability to create an immersive experience within the Star Wars universe. Despite its age, the mechanics and overall gameplay still hold up well, making it a recommended title for fans of both the franchise and first-person shooters.
“Absolutely loved the story and gameplay; an old game with its quirks, but it stands the test of time.”
“The gameplay is phenomenal, the atmosphere, the voice acting, the UI, the sounds, everything is literally so good.”
“The squad mechanics are amazing and tight, making you feel more like a squad member than a manager while still giving you control of things needed to efficiently complete the mission.”
“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.”
- graphics915 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 detail of modern games, 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.
“Graphically, the game has a good and kind of dark atmosphere - and oh my lord, stylistically, the game looks incredible. I love that swag of yours, my guy.”
“Despite the age of the game, even the graphics hold up pretty well.”
“For a game from 2005, the graphics are amazing!”
“The graphics are clearly outdated, but not terrible.”
“The graphics are old, but what does one expect from a nearly 10 years old game?”
“The graphics didn't age well even if you increase the graphics.”
- music435 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Republic Commando" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its epic soundtrack that blends iconic John Williams themes with original compositions, including the standout track "Vode An." The sound design enhances the immersive experience, effectively capturing the atmosphere of the Star Wars universe, while the integration of mandalorian chants and militaristic themes adds a unique touch. Overall, the game's music is considered a significant highlight, contributing to its status as one of the best Star Wars games.
“The soundtrack and sound design is stellar!”
“Epic music with funny dialogue making you feel part of the squad.”
“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.”
“The soundtrack consists of a mix of Star Wars music and the same music mixed with a bit of a choral-like singing which adds to the dark atmosphere of the game.”
“The music especially helps as it reuses much of the soundtrack to the prequel movies themselves.”
- atmosphere154 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, immersive, and gritty tone, effectively capturing the essence of being a clone commando in the Star Wars universe. Players appreciate the combination of excellent sound design, a compelling soundtrack, and engaging environments that enhance the overall experience, making it feel both intense and authentic. Despite some dated graphics, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal and replayability.
“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.”
“The atmosphere works, the characters are well voiced and have some funny jokes with them.”
“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.”
- humor147 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by witty dialogue and memorable one-liners from the diverse squad members, particularly Scorch, who often lightens the mood with his quirky remarks. While some players find the humor to be hit-or-miss, many appreciate the clever banter and the way it adds depth to the characters, making their interactions enjoyable amidst the game's serious tone. Overall, the humor is a notable aspect that enhances the gameplay experience, providing comic relief during intense moments.
“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.”
“The dialogue between the squad mates can get annoying but is sometimes funny.”
- replayability68 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 short campaign and linear structure, leading to minimal replay value. Many reviews highlight that the campaign can be completed quickly, and while some enjoy revisiting it for different strategies or challenges, others feel it lacks the depth to warrant multiple playthroughs. Overall, the game offers some replay value, particularly for those who appreciate its mechanics and multiplayer aspects, but it may not satisfy players seeking extensive replayability.
“While the campaign can be completed in a relatively short time, the high replay value lies in the game's intense multiplayer mode.”
“The music is top notch and replayability is high.”
“The story and missions are fun and thrilling, the characters memorable, and the game is absolutely replayable.”
“The game is essentially non-replayable, unless you want to try the multiplayer (I did not).”
“The game loses some replay value after a while; there are only 3 levels and at least 5-10 chapters per level.”
“There's no multiplayer community and no single-player replayability either - the campaign is entirely scripted so every run through will be the same.”
- stability60 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 and mission progression. Overall, the game's age contributes to its instability, but it remains entertaining for those willing to overlook the technical shortcomings.
“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.”
- optimization32 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's optimization for PC is widely criticized, with many players experiencing performance issues, bugs, and a lack of support for modern hardware. While some users report smooth gameplay with the help of community mods, others find the game poorly optimized, particularly in terms of graphics settings and frame rates. Overall, it appears that while the game can run well on certain setups, significant optimization improvements are needed for a better experience on contemporary systems.
“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 version badly needs optimizations or an updated re-release.”
“For a game that is this dated, it has horrible performance.”
“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).”
- emotional31 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 impactful cliffhanger ending that leaves many longing for a sequel. The interactions among squad members, filled with humor and poignant moments, enhance the overall emotional experience, making it one of the most memorable and touching shooters in the Star Wars franchise.
“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.”
- grinding28 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 64 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is often perceived as tedious and repetitive, primarily due to bullet sponge enemies and frustrating squad mechanics. While some players find moments of enjoyment in managing their squad, the overall experience can feel like a grind, leading to a sense of attrition rather than engagement. Nostalgia may soften the experience for long-time fans, but many agree that the gameplay can become monotonous and unsatisfying.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“Nostalgia may soften the experience for those who played it at launch, but for me this was tedious.”
“It really just felt like attrition most of the time, grinding through rooms of bullet sponge enemies, especially when spawners were involved.”
“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.”
- character development24 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the depth and bonds formed with companions, others note a lack of overarching narrative and significant growth. Many reviews highlight engaging dialogue and entertaining interactions among characters, which enhance player attachment despite the characters often fitting soldier stereotypes. Overall, the character design and development are praised, with some players feeling it surpasses that of more modern titles.
“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.”
- monetization16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 63 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, as it lacks microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy a polished experience reminiscent of older titles. However, some users express concerns about weapon mechanics and balance, suggesting that the game feels like a cash grab compared to other franchises. Overall, players appreciate the absence of predatory monetization practices, focusing instead on gameplay quality.
“If you like single player FPS games with a decent production budget and no microtransactions, then sooner or later you need to play this.”
“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 choose between light or dark side or making you addicted to predatory microtransactions.”
“And while it is old, remember that this game came from an era where games were released polished and relatively bug-free, without microtransactions.”
“Feels like a cash grab COD clone.”
Critic Reviews
Star Wars: Republic Commando Review
By retaining a tight focus, Star Wars: Republic Commando remains one of the best action games based on the long-running sci-fi saga. Hopefully, technical issues with the Nintendo Switch version will be resolved soon.
60%Star Wars: Republic Commando Review
Star Wars: Republic Commando on Switch is the worst way to play an outstanding and incredibly likeable game.
65%Star Wars Republic Commando (Switch) Review
Republic Commando reforms delta squad as a worthy tactical shooter on the nintendo switch, despite performance bugs which hinder an influential piece of star wars media.
70%