Common Sense Media Review
By Paul Semel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Squad-based shooter barely enhanced in re-released remake.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Star Wars: Republic Commando (2021 Remake)
What's It About?
Set between the end of Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones and the final battle in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, STAR WARS: REPUBLIC COMMANDO is a sci-fi first-person shooter in which you're the leader of a command squad of clone troopers who are sent on a variety of combat missions during the Clone Wars. Each member of your team can be directed to perform tasks, such as destroying targets or opening locked doors, allowing you to make progress in your mission goals. Starting with the Battle of Geonosis, players fight in a series of dangerous missions, ultimately ending by linking up with Yoda during the iconic battle on the Wookiee home world of Kashyyyk.
Is It Any Good?
This sci-fi shooter doesn't follow the rule of "the more you update a game, the better a modern remake will be" as much as it should. In Star Wars: Republic Commando, you're a clone trooper during the Clone Wars who leads an elite squad of commandos on missions set between the end of Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones and the end of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Armed with blasters, grenades, and wrist-mounted blades, you have to take out numerous droids as well as some unfriendly aliens. Since this is a squad-based shooter, not only do you have to shoot enemies yourself, you also tell your squad mates what to do, which can include "plant an explosive on that ship" or "unlock that door," or "help me, I've fallen and I can't get up."
While this was a top-notch first-person shooter when it came out in 2005, this remake hasn't been updated nearly enough. Though the graphics are now in HD, they otherwise look the same, while the sound effects sound as rough as they did back in the day. Similarly, while the movement controls work better, the buttons haven't been reconfigured to modern standards, which means you can't look down the barrel of your blaster for added accuracy, or use any kind of aim assistance. The result is that the gameplay puts this somewhere between the occasionally clunky play of the Resident Evil remake and the spectacular update of Resident Evil 2. Well, unless you prefer your games to be strictly old-school. In that case, Star Wars: Republic Commando will bring you back to that far, far away galaxy a long time ago.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in video games. Is the impact of the violence in Star Wars: Republic Commando affected by the fact that you're killing aliens and droids? Would the impact be intensified if you were fighting humans instead?
In Star Wars: Republic Commando, you lead a commando squad to complete their missions. What does this teach you about working together with members of a team? What does it teach you about being a good leader as well as being someone that's good at being led?
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Aspyr
- Release date : April 5, 2021
- Genre : First-Person Shooter
- Topics : Adventures
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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