The Star Wars universe has produced all kinds of games over the years. We have seen lightsaber combat, space battles, open-world adventures, LEGO games, and first-person shooters. STAR WARS Zero Company takes the galaxy in another direction by putting strategy first.
Instead of controlling one powerful Jedi or rushing through battles with a blaster, you command an entire squad. Every movement matters, every attack needs to be considered, and a poor decision can turn an easy-looking encounter into a serious problem.
Developed by Bit Reactor in collaboration with Electronic Arts and Lucasfilm Games, STAR WARS Zero Company is a single-player, turn-based tactics game set during the final period of the Clone Wars. It launched on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on August 27, 2026. On PC, it is available through Steam, the EA app, and Epic Games Store.
Game Overview
- Title: STAR WARS Zero Company
- Developer: Bit Reactor
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- In collaboration with: Lucasfilm Games
- Release Date: August 27, 2026
- Genre: Turn-Based Tactics, Strategy, RPG, Adventure, Simulation
- Game Mode: Single-player
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- PC Storage: 50 GB
- DirectX: Version 12
What Is STAR WARS Zero Company About?
The story takes place during the twilight of the Clone Wars.
You play as Hawks, a former Republic officer who now leads Zero Company, an unconventional group of professionals for hire. The squad brings together individuals from very different backgrounds, creating a team that does not initially look like a traditional Republic military unit.
Zero Company is recruited by Republic Intelligence for a dangerous operation involving the Infinite Coil, a Separatist-aligned cult led by Kundri Fathom.
The threat is connected to the Shadow Plague, a deadly danger that could spread throughout the galaxy if Zero Company fails to stop it.
This gives the game a different perspective on the Clone Wars. Instead of putting you directly in control of a famous army commander, it focuses on a smaller group operating in the shadows.
Every Move Matters
The title’s central philosophy is reflected in its combat system.
Every movement can affect what happens next.
Moving too far forward may leave a character exposed. Staying too far away may prevent you from taking advantage of an important ability. Attacking one enemy may also create an opportunity for another member of your squad. Fell & Sell
This creates a slower but more thoughtful type of Star Wars combat.
You are not constantly reacting to enemy fire. Instead, you have time to examine the battlefield and decide what should happen next.
For players who enjoy games such as XCOM-style tactical RPGs, this approach should feel familiar while still benefiting from the Star Wars setting.
Squad Composition
One of the most interesting parts of Zero Company is the variety of characters you can bring into your squad.
The game includes operatives with different archetypes, including scoundrels, soldiers, astromechs, and even a Jedi. Each character brings different abilities and tactical possibilities to the battlefield.
This means you are not simply selecting your favorite characters based on appearance.
You need to consider how they work together.
A balanced team can cover different battlefield roles, while a more specialized squad may focus heavily on a particular strategy.
The game also allows players to create and customize original Star Wars characters, giving the squad a more personal identity.
Character Customization
Customization is an important part of Zero Company.
Hawks can be customized in terms of combat specialization and appearance. Your other operatives can also receive customized appearances, loadouts, and abilities.
This gives you more control over how your team develops.
Instead of every player having exactly the same squad, your decisions can create a group that reflects your preferred style.
You might build characters around direct damage, support, defense, mobility, or other tactical roles.
The customization also makes the squad feel more personal as the campaign continues.
Squad Synergies
Characters do not operate independently.
As members of Zero Company participate in missions together, they can develop skills and combat synergies. These relationships can become important during difficult encounters because coordinated abilities may produce better results than simply using everyone’s strongest attack individually.
This is one of the features that makes the squad feel like a team.
You are not just leveling up individual characters. You are gradually developing a group that learns how to work together.
That can also make certain characters more valuable depending on who you regularly deploy alongside them.
Base Management
The gameplay does not end when a mission is complete.
Between missions, you return to your base of operations, where you can prepare for future challenges and manage aspects of your squad.
This gives the campaign a rhythm:
Prepare → Deploy → Fight → Recover → Upgrade → Prepare again.
The base provides a quieter space between battles where you can make longer-term decisions rather than focusing on immediate combat.
These sections also help develop the characters and give the campaign more room for conversations and relationships.
Story and Character Relationships
Zero Company puts considerable emphasis on its characters.
The members of the squad come from different backgrounds, and they do not necessarily agree with one another. Their relationships develop throughout the campaign as they face increasingly dangerous situations.
This gives the game a more personal side.
A tactical battle can be satisfying because you won it, but it can become more memorable when the characters involved have a history together.
The developers have described the game as a cinematic original story with decisions that can affect each playthrough.
Exploring the Clone Wars Era
The Clone Wars setting gives Zero Company plenty of room to introduce familiar Star Wars elements without simply repeating the main movie storyline.
You encounter original characters and threats while operating in a galaxy already affected by the larger conflict.
This creates an interesting balance.
The setting should feel recognizable to Star Wars fans, but the story remains focused on Zero Company rather than making you follow the same events from the films and television series.
The Infinite Coil provides the main threat, while the game’s wider world allows the team to interact with different parts of the galaxy.
Difficulty and Permadeath
Players who want a more demanding tactical experience can make the campaign significantly more dangerous.
The game includes a permadeath option, allowing characters to be permanently lost when they die. There is also an Iron Man mode for players looking for an even more committed experience.
This changes the emotional weight of combat.
In a normal campaign, losing a character may be an inconvenience. With permadeath enabled, the same mistake can permanently change your squad.
That makes planning more important and encourages players to think carefully before taking unnecessary risks.
Game Experience
During a mission, the game can become tense as you examine the battlefield and decide whether to take a risky position. Between missions, the pace slows down and you can focus on your characters, equipment, relationships, and strategic preparation.
This structure gives the campaign a natural rhythm.
The cinematic presentation also helps connect the quieter character moments with the larger tactical battles.
The most enjoyable part is watching your squad develop over time. Early missions can feel like a group of individuals working toward the same objective. Later, your team begins to feel more coordinated because you understand what each member can do and how their abilities complement one another.
Multiplayer – Is STAR WARS Zero Company Multiplayer?
No. STAR WARS Zero Company is a single-player game.
The official EA information and Steam listing describe it as a single-player turn-based tactics experience. There is no advertised online multiplayer or co-op campaign.
This is an intentional part of the game’s design because the story, squad relationships, customization, and campaign decisions are all built around a personal tactical experience.
If you are looking for a competitive Star Wars multiplayer game, Zero Company is not designed for that purpose.
System Requirements
Minimum Requirements
- OS: 64-bit Windows 10/11
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, or Intel Arc B580
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 50 GB available space
- Target: 1920×1080, 30 FPS, Low graphics preset
Recommended Requirements
- OS: 64-bit Windows 10/11
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- Memory: 32 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 50 GB available space
- Target: 2560×1440, 60 FPS, High graphics preset
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Strong tactical combat
- Authentic Star Wars atmosphere
- Original story instead of another retelling
- Interesting squad-based gameplay
- Deep character customization
- Different combat roles
- Squad synergies encourage teamwork
- Character relationships add personality
- Permadeath and Iron Man options provide extra challenge
- High production values
- Good choice for strategy fans
Cons
- No multiplayer or co-op
- Combat may feel slow for action-game fans
- PC requirements are relatively demanding
- 50 GB storage requirement
- Some players may prefer a more traditional real-time Star Wars experience
- Tactical battles require patience and planning
How to Download STAR WARS Zero Company
The legitimate PC version is available through Steam, the EA app, and Epic Games Store. The game is also available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
If you are playing through Steam, EA confirms that Zero Company is Steam-native and does not require the EA App launcher.
It is best to avoid unofficial installers or modified copies. Apart from security risks, unofficial versions can be outdated and may not provide the same patches, achievements, cloud features, or technical support as the legitimate release.
Latest Update and Current Reception
STAR WARS Zero Company launched on August 27, 2026. EA’s official launch announcement confirms that the game is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
The game has also received a positive early response from players. At the time of checking, Steam was showing a Mostly Positive rating, with roughly 79% of more than 8,800 English-language reviews marked positive.
Recent reviews have particularly highlighted the game’s squad personalities, tactical combat, atmosphere, and character-focused approach, while some criticism has been directed toward repetition in later combat and aspects of the story.
Should You Play It?
If you are a Star Wars fan who also enjoys tactical RPGs, STAR WARS Zero Company is one of the more interesting recent entries in the franchise.
Its biggest strength is that it does not simply put a Star Wars skin over a generic strategy game. The squad, characters, relationships, abilities, customization, and Clone Wars setting all work together to create a campaign that feels designed around the universe.
Strategy fans should particularly enjoy the combat because the game gives you time to think. You can examine the battlefield, consider your options, and build a plan instead of relying purely on reflexes.
The character system is another reason to play. Building a squad and learning how its members work together gives the campaign a personal element that goes beyond simply completing missions.
Conclusion
STAR WARS Zero Company offers a different kind of Star Wars experience.
Instead of making you a lone hero, it asks you to become a commander. Instead of relying on fast reactions, it rewards careful planning. And instead of retelling a familiar story, it introduces Hawks, Zero Company, the Infinite Coil, and a dangerous new threat during the final period of the Clone Wars.
The combination of tactical battles, squad customization, character relationships, base management, and progression gives the game a strong identity.