ic-games Review - Star Wars: Republic Commando - Reviews, Previews and Interviews for PC, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3 and Wii

ic-games Review - Star Wars: Republic Commando - Reviews, Previews and Interviews for PC, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3 and Wii ic-games Review - Home - Review, Preview and Interview for PC, Xbox,Xbox 360, PS2, PS3 and Wii

Star Wars: Republic Commando

Information
Reviewer: James Collins
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: Activision
Reviewed: Xbox
Genre: First Person
UK Release: 04th Mar 2005
Article Date: 21st Feb 2005
Difficulty: Medium
Retail Price: £39.99
Price Comparison:
0

Score Breakdown

Experience:
Game Play:
Graphics:
Sound:
Overall Score: 87%

Discuss this review in the Forums

Pros

Very nice team based options

Graphics and sound

Atmospheric

Cons

Slim Xbox Live

Screenshots

4 of 24

Nirvana – most dictionaries have that word down as meaning "An ideal condition of rest, harmony, stability, or joy". After the amount of decent Star Wars titles coming to us thick and fast we believe nirvana may just exist here at the IC-Games towers. Two decent KOTOR episodes and now Republic Commando, looks like there’s never been a better time to visit the Star Wars Universe.

Some may just call this one "another FPS", but hidden inside are some pretty decent new features. In a welcome break from the usual factory preset FPS formula, Republic Commando features a pretty decent squad command facility. What’s truly unique about the command system in this title though is how effortlessly and easy it is to control and manoeuvre the team. In actual fact we say ‘control the team’, but in truth all you do is command them to perform certain actions during key moments of the level. Each of the three team members under your command has specific talents, one can hack computers, the other is a demolition expert and the third is particularly handy when required to snipe. Without ever having to control them directly, an icon and holographic image will flash on your HUD when a team member’s skill may be used, then it’s a simple matter of pressing the use button and the team member will perform that task – as long as you have adequate cover for them the job will be performed automatically from that point (certain tasks will take some time to complete).

Yes, Some may find the experience a little too spoon fed for their own liking but it did help build up atmosphere between your team, especially when they all have their own unique persona as they chatter comments to themselves and those around them. You do have a level of control over how your team reacts and thankfully the AI responds well. Pressing and holding down the use key, and the DPAD then becomes your hub for squad movement and aggressive and defensives stances. Pressing Up orders them to secure the area, down cancels the current manoeuvre, right requests that they form back up, with left sending them out on a temporary search and destroy mission.

Even though your team members have specific skills that they are willing to show off at predetermined intervals (like slicing computer security or blowing up obstructions) any one of your team members can be called upon to snipe or throw grenades at special spots thought-out the level. Again the brains behind the decisions have been taken away slightly as these spots are chosen for you in the game design. However there are normally more spots than you have available team members so actual placement is still something you will have to think about. Carrying on from the "special ability" hotspot, these placements are visible on your visor with a brief description about what weapons can be used at that spot (grenades/sniper). It’s a pity that most of the actual decisions are taken away from the player but in the proverbial double edged sword, the way its been designed does lead to more frantic FPS action.

One of the features we especially liked is the squad heal facility, and it has some interesting variations as well. As a single entity you can heal any battle wounds using any nearby "Bacta" heath dispenser which do pretty much what you would expect, heal. However, you can also order your team to visit the Bacta heath dispenser when you feel their combined energy is a little low. You can also order your team to heal each other if they get caught up in some particularly nasty explosion and become incapacitated. Furthermore, if YOU become incapacitated some pretty neat options become immediately available to you. Do you order your team to continue with the mission on hand and come back for you later? Or do you order your team to revive you now with the chance of them themselves being cut up in enemy fire whilst doing so? While you decide the action is viewable on screen in real time, if you witness all the team being cut up in the firefight though the link will become deactivated and the mission over.

Graphically Republic Commando is a sight to behold, perhaps not as refined as the likes of Halo2, but then again Halo2 never played at the pace this game does. Massive machines smash though levels obliterating all in its path whilst you and your team stealthily sneak past. Moments that are normally painted in FMV sequences are portrayed in real time, in a nutshell it’s all very believable stuff. Other great touches include alien entrails being splattered against your visor (which wipes itself clean) if they get a little too close. The damage models are also especially well done; shoot a clone in the foot and its leg will shatter rendering them harmless, same for head shots. All things we have seen before I hear you cry; yes, only Republic Commando pulls them off almost flawlessly time and time again.

Anyone lucky enough to own a decent set of surround speakers to compliment this game will be in for another LucusArts audio extravaganza. The soundtrack is spot on, the effects are spot on, just about everything we have now come to expect from a Star Wars licensed game is present and correct Sir. Team member chatter is at times, as good as it gets, and that is especially true of the brilliant surround sound explosions, gunfire and other effects literally ringing out of each of the levels in the game. Good use is made of the surround with approaching enemies sounding especially realistic.

Multiplayer fans will have their moment we are sure, but at the time of review (still a good few weeks away from retail release) we didn’t find (as you would expect) many opponents available on Xbox Live. The usual multiplayer treats were available straight away including Capture the flag, Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch sessions. Thankfully Republic Commando will also feature content downloads but again, this close to release nothing was available just yet. With a few more options here and there we believe that the multiplayer side will be streaming with life, but at the moment we think Halo 2 definetly has the edge here. Those without Xbox Live can still utilise Split Screen and link technology and both worked a treat.

"The bottom line is that Republic Commando as a single player game is where the action is, the levels are well thought out and deeply atmospheric".

The bottom line is that Republic Commando as a single player game is where the action is, the levels are well thought out and deeply atmospheric – exactly what we want from our games nowadays. Gameplay might have been helped along if there was less hand holding and more immersive tactics and mission planning - However to LucusArts credit this would have had a direct impact on speed, and Republic Commando certainly plays at a frantic pace. The multiplayer side might have been bolted on to satisfy gamers that demand at least some Xbox Live functionality, but if you are looking for a decent single player experience after extensive Halo 2 online sessions then Republic Commando might just be what you are looking for.

PEGI Rating

Why wait? get "Star Wars: Republic Commando" delivered straight to you door from Amazon

Discuss the Star Wars: Republic Commando review in the Forums

IC-Games RSS Feed

IC-Games Reviews and Previews (c) 2002-2007

Designed by James Collins

To have your product featured contact The Editor
Found some news? contact The News Desk
PR Dept - Andrew St.Denis
Additional Coding by James Collins and Phil Douglas
Get credited, submit breaking news at The News Desk
Want to hire one of our journalists? Enquire here
Want to see your advert on site? Enquire here

Ic-games.co.uk banner Ciao.co.uk

Find the best console offers for the video game lover like Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and all types of PC games.

Xbox 360 Games

Internet bingo is played by large and a vast amount of gamers, so you’re sure to make a network and friends. Whatever age or gender.