No one had it on their radar back then, but Star Wars: Republic Commando is still one of the best shooters in Star Wars today. And just as cheap as
Clones are a controversial topic – and not just because they list shooting Jedi as a hobby
in their Tinder profile. On the one hand, Disney has made an honest effort over the last 10 years to knit many exciting stories around clone legends such as Rex, Cody and co. On the other hand, a lot has been lost with the wipe of the old Expanded Universe.
If you want to experience the old Expanded Universe in its absolute heyday, then definitely play Star Wars: Republic Commando. Yes, the clone elite soldiers are officially part of the canon under Disney, but in the series they function more as pimped-out doorstops
Not so in Star Wars: Republic Commando! Here you take command of an elite clone unit and shoot your way through one of the best Star Wars shooters of all time. And what’s more: In the current Steam Sale for International Star Wars Day on May 4, Republic Commando is reduced like never before. By 75 percent to a measly 2.43 euros
For whom is Republic Commando worthwhile?
Republic Commando doesn’t tell an in-depth story, instead you follow a four-man squad of elite clone troopers deep into the trenches of the Clone Wars from Star Wars 2 and 3. You play a total of three single-player campaigns, from the Battle of Geonosis to an abandoned Venator cruiser to the final days of the Clone Wars on the Wookie home planet of Kashyyyk.
- One of the great strengths of Republic Commando is its atmosphere Here you can really experience the dark side of the Clone Wars, feel the tension before battle or the pure panic as you stalk alone through a droid control ship where every sound means death.
- In terms of game mechanics, the shooter still has the right mix of tactics and arcade even 20 years later: I give my squad mates rudimentary commands, use the sniper for control fire, for example, but ultimately I don’t have to pore over a manual to successfully shoot my way through the levels.
- The shootouts are simply fun! I finish off a super battle droid by first shooting the plates off the chrome and then targeting weak points. Every opponent demands the right tactics from me.
- The three campaigns set their own wonderful accents Geonosis plays like absolute battle chaos, while the supposedly abandoned Venator cruiser almost exudes a horror feeling.
Republic Commando was of course not a perfect shooter even back then, the choice of weapons is rather meagre, the story dribbles along, but even 20 years later, every Star Wars fan should have played this game. The clones never got any better after that.
If you’ve already played Republic Commando, then take a look at other Star Wars games on Steam. There are many more historical discounts. Knights of the Old Republic is also cheaper than ever, the unforgettably good Jedi Outcast costs just 2 euros and you can get Empire at War and its add-on for under 5 euros.
