This review in video form!

I'm going to recommend you install some mods. Apparently it has terrible mouse controls without fixes, and a lot of widescreen formats. So google the RC Reskin Remaster Mod from ModDB, follow the README, have a better time. I didn't realize you could boot the game from Steam after installing mods, so I used a different EXE which did not track playtime (but this is after about 9 hours).

Star Wars: Republic Commando is a Linear Action based First-Person Shooter, with tactical team management. In a galaxy far, far away, the clone wars have begun. You play as RC-1138, nicknamed "BOSS", a genetically enhanced clone. "38" is assigned by the Republic to lead "Delta Squad", an elite team comprised of 3 other enhanced Commandos. You and your squad mates must work together to accomplish critical missions across 3 key locations within the galaxy in order to turn the tides of the war. Pretty exciting stuff!

The game is a first-person shooter. You always carry two main weapons, the DC-15s Side Arm Blaster (which is underwhelming but has infinite ammo) and the DC-17m Modifiable Blaster Rifle. The blaster can be configured into two alternative modes, a sniper, and a heavy grenade launcher. Alongside these four options, you have a free slot that you can use to store weapons you find in the field, or more likely take from the broken bodies of your enemies. It's a shame you can only carry one additional weapon because they're fun to use. But, the way the game is structured , you'll likely need every weapon you find because ammo can get to be pretty scarce when the enemy is throwing huge waves of tanky enemies at you.

But your weapons will only take you so far. It's your team, and how you command them which is the real weapon. Let's talk about it.

Around any given map, you'll see world objects that when targeted, show you icons and holograms of your team. Push the interact key to command one of your squad mates over to it and they'll take that position. There are many different types of these: the sniper point is pretty common, you can have a guy lob grenades from a point, you can even have them man enemy turrets after you free them yp. Sometimes you can have them set traps, or explode obstacles in the way of weapons caches. Whatever you think the best strategy is in any given moment, you can command your boys to carry it out. Even if there isn't a world object, if you're looking at an enemy, you can use the same interact key to have your team focus fire on that enemy, which is key for taking down a big or important target, and critical to success in some missions. On top of these, there are four generalized commands that determine what your squad is doing at any given time.

I was initially a little hesitant about all of these systems and being in charge, because it sounded overwhelming at first. But, it's extremely intuitive and makes for an incredibly satisfying gameplay experience, which I was actually really quick to pick up on. All combined, the blending of each and every one of these systems, brings out a unique gameplay feeling... of playing a puzzle type game.

If i'm being honest, Republic Commando is a pretty simple game. But you're graced with glorious moments where it challenges you. Where you're faced with a tactical situation that seems impossible. Where it seems like winning would be against all odds. You really MUST command your brethren, in a smart way, in order to survive, and succeed. There are some missions that I would consider extremely difficult if you can't think strategically about the environment, your weapons, the enemies, and the battle that will commence.

There are several of these missions in the game, at least one per locale, and I have to say, they are the exquisite desserts to this fine meal of a game. When you're really thinking critically, commanding your team effectively is super satisfying. And sometimes, you do it so right, that your squad leaves without a scratch on them.

As an entire package, I cannot believe that we have not got a sequel or a spiritual successor because this formula is electric! I simply could not get enough of it. I beat it on Medium, then immediately started up playing on hard difficulty again. It's that good!

So now for the question everyone is wondering. Is Star Wars: Republic Commando worth playing 20 years later? Honestly, even today, I am considering this to be a masterpiece game. I feel it's important to note that this is an extra weighty recommendation from me because I have no nostalgia for it! This was my first time playing, and it plays extremely well. Republic Commando gives you a gameplay experience that you can't put down until you beat it. It's so fun to command Delta Squad, to hear their banter one with another, to participate in some of Star War's most iconic prequel battles, to use the weapons from them, and be the boots on the ground within them. Hope you give it a try! Thanks for Reading.