One of a Kind
(I review using a slightly different method. Score is based on fun-factor and not quality of a game) This is a golden oldie. OK, not quite. It's about four years old and Star Wars: Republic Commando is easily one of my favorite games. I used to play it frequently, but I sold it and didn't feel much regret because I picked up an Xbox 360 later. Well, I just bought Star Wars: Best of PC, which includes five Star Wars games, and got a walk down memory lane. Star Wars Republic Commando is a squad-based first-person-shooter. You play as the leader of Delta Squad, a team of crack clone commandos who fight battle droids, Trandoshans, and Geonosians. When you hear the words "squad-based first-person-shooter" your mind immediately ventures to games like GRAW or Rainbow Six Vegas. Those two are tactical shooters, Republic Commando is not. The controls have more in common with Halo: Combat Evolved than either. Yet, you still control a squad. Executing commands is ridiculously easy. Four commands are on the D-pad (form up, attack formation, secure area, cancel maneuvers) or you can press an action button (A on the Xbox, F on the PC) to have your squad do a certain maneuver. These are hilighted for you. Maneuvers include door breaches, hacks, sniping, grenade-launching, grenade-throwing, mounting turrets... and the list goes on. The graphics are great and it's not too much of a stretch to say that they still look good. In fact, they're better than some games from this generation, especially on maximum settings. The thing that really binds the experience is the functional HUD. By functional, I mean it's an actual in-game helmet. It shakes a little at certain points, but the best part is that whenever you melee somebody (or something) you get a nice splattering or droid juice on it. It's automatically wiped off, but it's a fun effect that adds another touch of realism. Speaking of, that's what sets this game apart from other Star Wars games. It's not a bright and shiny heroic tale. Republic Commando is dark and really puts a new perspective on the Clone Wars. Another factor that makes Republic Commando excellent is the AI. They're as smart as your squadmates in Rainbow Six Vegas and smarter than GRAW. They take cover on their own and are just intelligent in general. They won't do anything stupid at all. The smartest part is the voice-overs. You'll find yourself laughing at Delta 07 (Sev)'s bloodthirst or Delta 62 (Scorch)'s l337 HaX0r skills. The story is lame because it's not really there much. You won't care. Just punch another droid and you'll be happy. I've decided to change my wording here. It's not appeal anymore, but fun factor. For hardcore gamers: 9.0 for back then, 7.5 for now, and 10.0 for Star Wars fans. For casual gamers: 8.5 for back then, 8.0 for now, and 10.0 for Star Wars fans.
