Star Wars: Zero Company is a single player turn based tactics game launching on August 27, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Developed by Bit Reactor with Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, the game brings XCOM style squad combat into the Star Wars universe during the final stretch of the Clone Wars.
The game is fully canon and follows Hawks, a former Republic officer who builds a mercenary squad called Zero Company. The story takes players across planets such as Geonosis, Felucia, and Umbara, with a darker and more grounded tone than the usual heroic Star Wars adventure.
Bit Reactor’s background is important because the studio was founded by former Firaxis developers who worked on XCOM. That influence is clear, but Star Wars: Zero Company also adds its own ideas through bonds, squad dilemmas, injuries, base management, and deeper character customization.
Star Wars: Zero Company release date and editions
Star Wars: Zero Company is scheduled to launch on August 27, 2026. It will release on PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
| Edition | PC price | Console price | Main content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | $49.99 | $59.99 | Base game |
| Deluxe Edition | $59.99 | $69.99 | Base game plus cosmetic packs |
| Pre order bonus | Included with pre purchase | Included with pre purchase | Crystalline Astromech Pack |
The Deluxe Edition does not change gameplay. It focuses on cosmetics inspired by the Clone Wars, including the Grand Army of the Republic Cosmetic Pack, Shadow Collective Cosmetic Pack, and several themed weapon sets.
Pre ordering the game gives players the Crystalline Astromech Pack, which includes the R3 droid, translucent astromech heads for R4 and R5 variants, and the exclusive BR 1 droid.
The story follows a custom leader and a shadow squad
Players take control of Hawks, a customizable former Republic officer. Hawks can be customized by gender and species, then used as the leader of Zero Company.
The squad operates during one of the most unstable periods in Star Wars history. The Republic is nearing its fall, the Clone Wars are reaching their final stage, and the Empire is close to rising. That gives the game room to tell a grittier story about soldiers, mercenaries, loyalty, and survival.
The tone is not simply about famous Jedi or large battlefield heroics. Zero Company is built around a smaller group working in the shadows of the war.
Combat uses action points, cover, and tactical planning
Star Wars: Zero Company uses turn based squad combat. Each Operator gets three Action Points per turn, which can be used for movement, attacks, abilities, items, or Overwatch.
The system is familiar for XCOM fans, but there are key changes. Overwatch is not a simple full area reaction shot. It works through an adjustable cone, and the number of enemies an Operator can target depends on how much AP is spent.
There is also no Fog of War, so players do not have to worry about hidden enemies suddenly appearing from unseen areas.
| Combat system | How it works |
|---|---|
| Action Points | Each Operator gets three per turn |
| Overwatch | Uses an adjustable cone and AP investment |
| Cover | Partial and full cover reduce enemy accuracy |
| Flanking | Improves shot quality |
| High ground | Can improve hit chance |
| Advantage | A resource earned through successful hits |
| Injuries | Downed Operators suffer penalties until treated |
The game also includes a Shot Breakdown panel, which explains why a shot has a certain chance to hit. That should make combat easier to understand without removing the tactical depth.
Advantage adds another layer to combat
As Operators land hits, the squad builds a resource called Advantage. This can be spent on powerful actions without using AP.
Examples include giving an ally an extra Action Point, calling in a rocket strike, improving the squad’s hit chance, or taunting enemies into attacking one Operator.
This system should encourage aggressive and coordinated play. Instead of waiting behind cover every turn, players can build momentum by landing hits and then spending Advantage at the right moment.
Injuries and permadeath raise the stakes
When an Operator loses all health, they become Downed and suffer an Injury. A downed unit cannot act until another squadmate Rallies them.
Injuries apply stat penalties until they are treated. On standard difficulty, an Operator dies permanently after suffering three injuries. This also applies to authored story characters, whose deaths can affect the narrative.
That makes survival important. Losing a character is not only a mechanical setback. It can also change how the story moves forward.
The squad mixes story characters and custom recruits
Zero Company includes authored characters and custom Operators. The six bespoke characters include clone veteran Trick, Jedi Padawan Tel Rea Vokoss, Mandalorian survivor Cly Kullervo, Umbaran sniper Luco Bronc, Ore Baroness Jae Mordant, and cybernetic bruiser Kabb Uppercut.
Players can also create and recruit custom Operators, changing their appearance, clothing, voice, name, and other details.
Most Operators belong to one of eight Specializations:
| Specialization | Tactical role |
|---|---|
| Assault | Frontline pressure |
| Gunslinger | Fast ranged attacks |
| Heavy | Firepower and suppression |
| Medic | Healing and support |
| Scoundrel | Utility and disruption |
| Scout | Recon and mobility |
| Sharpshooter | Long range precision |
| Soldier | Balanced combat role |
Each Specialization has an Ultimate, Standard ability, and Passive, giving every role a clear identity.
Bonds, romance, and dilemmas shape the squad
The bond system is one of the game’s more interesting features. Operators build relationships through missions, combat actions, operations, and Calling for Backup, a zero AP command that lets one squadmate help another on the next attack.
Higher bonds unlock Focus Points, which can be spent in the Focus Tree to improve abilities, talents, and passives. Strong bonds also allow Cross Training for permanent stat bonuses.
The game may also include romance options, though it is not yet clear how far that system goes.
Hawks will also face Dilemmas, where squad members offer different opinions. Player choices can strengthen or weaken bonds, giving decisions both tactical and emotional consequences.
The Den acts as your base between missions
Between battles, players return to The Den, a base on the Ring of Kafrene. Unlike combat, this area is viewed from a third person perspective.
The Den is where players talk to squadmates, manage loadouts, buy items, heal injuries, recruit new Operators, and upgrade facilities. The Holotable lets players choose Tactical Missions and Operations during each campaign cycle.
Tactical Missions involve combat and story progress. Operations are non combat assignments that cost Intel and can reward credits, contacts, loot, or information.
Some missions and operations expire if ignored for too long, so players will need to choose carefully.
PC requirements are higher than expected
Star Wars: Zero Company is built in Unreal Engine 5, and its PC requirements are heavier than many players may expect for a tactics game.
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or 11 | Windows 10 or 11 |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 8400 or Ryzen 5 2600X | Intel Core i7 10700K or Ryzen 7 3700X |
| RAM | 16GB | 32GB |
| GPU | GTX 1080, RX 5600 XT, or Arc B580 | RTX 3080 or RX 7800 XT |
| Storage | 50GB | 50GB |
| Target | 1080p, 30 FPS, Low | 1440p, 60 FPS, High |
The Steam version will support Steam Achievements, Steam Cloud, HDR, and Family Sharing. Console performance targets have not been shared yet.
A promising tactical Star Wars game with real depth
Star Wars: Zero Company looks like one of the more interesting Star Wars games in recent years because it is not chasing another action adventure formula. It uses the Clone Wars setting for squad tactics, character bonds, injuries, base management, and strategic choices.
The XCOM influence is clear, but the game is not simply copying that formula. Systems like cone based Overwatch, Advantage, Dilemmas, Cross Training, and The Den give it enough identity to stand on its own.
If Bit Reactor can balance its tactical depth with strong Star Wars storytelling, Star Wars: Zero Company could become a standout 2026 release for both strategy fans and Star Wars players who want something different.
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