First Look: Star Wars Zero Company Gameplay, Story & Characters - The Big Reveals From This Weekend
Lucasfilm and EA have just unveiled their next big gaming title: Star Wars Zero Company. This turn-based strategy game, crafted by the talented teams at Bit Reactor and Respawn Entertainment, promises an intense adventure set during the tumultuous era of the Clone Wars.
The rumors had been swirling for weeks: a mysterious Star Wars tactical game had leaked online, instantly sparking the curiosity of strategy fans and lightsaber enthusiasts alike. On April 14, EA finally confirmed the game’s existence and revealed its title: Star Wars Zero Company. All eyes then turned to Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, held this past weekend, with the promise of more details to come. And just like the best Rebel plans—it delivered… and then some.
Image credit: EA Star Wars
An Unlikely Squad for Impossible Missions
In Zero Company, you play as Hawks, a disgraced former Republic officer now leading a ragtag yet highly capable mercenary unit. This unconventional squad—featuring a Padawan, a veteran clone, a smuggler, a droid, and even a Mandalorian warrior—is tasked with taking on high-risk missions against the droid armies of the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
Each member of the team has a unique backstory, personal motivations, and their own flaws. Take the Umbaran sharpshooter, for example—he doesn’t hide his disdain for the Republic, but he’s willing to fight for a shared goal: restoring balance to the galaxy.
- Full customization of Hawks: name, gender, species—it’s all up to you.
- Create a fully personalized squad or include original characters developed exclusively for the game.
- Adjustable difficulty options: enable permadeath or restrict saves to increase the challenge.
A Base, a Hideout, a Strategic Hub
Between missions, players will return to their headquarters known as The Den. This location—briefly seen in Rogue One—serves as a (somewhat) safe haven for the Zero Company team. Here, you can:
- Customize your characters and upgrade their gear
- Recruit new soldiers to expand your squad
- Use a massive holomap—the largest ever featured in a Star Wars game—to plan upcoming operations
Expect to visit iconic planets like Vandor (from Solo) and Anaxes (seen in The Bad Batch), promising a galactic journey as rich as it is action-packed.
A Proud Tactical Legacy
If Zero Company feels reminiscent of XCOM, that’s no coincidence. Leading the project is Greg Foertsch, a Firaxis veteran and long-time genre expert. He’s aiming for a deeply strategic, turn-based experience where every decision matters—and where your choices will shape the unfolding story.
His goal is to deliver a game that feels both cinematic and accessible, yet tactically deep. Wrapped in a brand-new narrative from the Clone Wars era and featuring entirely original characters, the project draws comparisons to the storytelling of Andor—praised for its fresh, grounded approach to the Star Wars universe.
Coming 2026: Time to Make History
Set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, Star Wars Zero Company is expected in 2026. On paper, it ticks all the boxes to become a must-play for strategy fans and Star Wars lovers alike.
A new wind is blowing through the franchise—one that smells of blaster fire, sweat, and last-second plans. Maybe the future of Star Wars really is turn-based?
