Most of what we've seen with the Clone Wars has been large scale warfare. With Star Wars Zero Company, developer Bit Company is peeling back the curtain on a war we haven't yet seen.
"The one fought in the shadows," a voice says in the announcement trailer. "The war beneath the war. A war that is won with the right strategy."
Star Wars Zero Company is a new single-player turn-based tactics game developed by Bit Reactor in collaboraiton with Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games. Announced all the way back in 2022, Star Wars Celebration Japan this weekend finally gave us our first look at the game in the form of a cinematic trailer.
Player will take on the role of former Republic officer Hawks, commanding an elite squad of cunning operatives "through a gritty and authentic story set in the twilight of the Clone Wars."
The reveal trailer sets th tone of the upcoming tactical game, giving us a glimpse of the "unconventional outfit of professionals for hire hailing from across the galaxy." Among the characters shown are a Jedi and a Mandalorian, but Bit Reactor teased the ability to recruit and customize operatives that can be personalized from a range of original Star Wars character classes and species.
“Our vision for Star Wars Zero Company is grounded in gameplay design pillars that weave in the immersive Star Wars galaxy with engaging turn-based tactics gameplay,” said Greg Foertsch, CEO and Creative Director at Bit Reactor. “It’s our aim to deliver a game with an original Star Wars story from the Clone Wars era that has meaningful outcomes from player choices, and deep turn-based tactical combat with an approachable and cinematic presentation.”
We only get a glimpse of gameplay towards the end of the trailer, but it looks like Star Wars Zero Company will offer X-COM-style tactical strategy gameplay. In between missions, you'll establish and build a base of operations to gather intelligence througha network of informants. The information you uncover will presumably have a role in the types of missions you embark on and the strategy you'll have to employ.
There was also mention of in-depth customization. You'll be able to fully customize Hawks' appearance and combat class. Recruited operatives can also be peronalized. You can tailor their appearances, load-outs, and abilities across a wide variety of character archetypes. Squadmates that fight alongside each other will form bonds, eventually allowing them to unlock powerful combat synergies.
“At Lucasfilm Games, we’re huge tactics fans and we have wanted to make a game like this for a long time,” said Douglas Reilly, GM & VP, Lucasfilm Games. “The best tactics games are all about meaningful choices, and we’re confident we have chosen the right squad in Bit Reactor to deliver a compelling and innovative title that is authentic to Star Wars.”
Star Wars Zero Company will be released in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.