The easiest way to describe Star Wars Zero Company is still “Star Wars XCOM.” It’s useful shorthand. Everyone gets it. Turn-based tactics, cover, squad management, bad decisions, probably at least one mission where you stare at the screen and whisper, “I’ve ruined everything.” But the more EA, Bit Reactor, and Lucasfilm Games show of Zero Company, the less that comparison feels complete. Yes, this is a tactics game built by people who know the genre inside out. Bit Reactor was founded by former Firaxis developers, and creative director Greg Foertsch and lead designer James Brawley both worked on modern XCOM projects. The bones are there. The experience is there. The danger of losing someone because you got greedy with a flank is almost certainly there too. But Zero Company is starting to sound like it wants players to care about the squad in a much more personal, messy, BioWare-ish way….
Permadeath
Star Wars Zero Company’s Scariest Feature Is Not Combat. It’s Who Can Die
Star Wars Zero Company may have lightsabers, blasters, Clone Wars battlefields, tactical cover, action points, and enough squad customization to ruin your evening in the best possible way. But the scariest feature is not the combat system. It is permadeath. According to PC Gamer’s recent Zero Company breakdown, Bit Reactor’s upcoming Star Wars tactics game gives each squad member three action points per turn, while also allowing operatives to die permanently. That includes custom characters and story characters. In other words, this is not just Star Wars XCOM with clone helmets. This is Star Wars XCOM where your favorite disaster gremlin with a blaster might not make it home. Star Wars Hits Harder When Loss Matters Permadeath is a dangerous mechanic for a story-driven game. Players get attached. Players build favorites. Players name custom operatives something stupid, give them the coolest helmet, then immediately pretend they are emotionally prepared when…