Star Wars Republic Commando Retrospective - 16 Years Later

A Star Wars cult classic - but has it stood the test of time?
Hint: Yes
Star Wars Republic Commando Retrospective - 16 Years Later
Widescreen mod:
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Timestamps, click to skip ahead!
Introduction 0:00
Republic Commando 0:33
Age 16:52
Sound Design 19:33
Conclusion 27:53
Credits & Thank You 29:39
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• Retrospectives
E3, 2004.
A new game is unveiled.
A mature, gory tactical squad-based shooter for the original Xbox, slated to offer the Microsoft console a game that can rival the Tom Clancy games and compare to the first party Halo series.
And it’s a Star Wars game?
This is Star Wars Republic Commando - 16 years later.
Star Wars isn’t exactly the first franchise one thinks of when imaging a hardcore mature first-person shooter, but it’s this exact stereotype a small internal team at LucasArts was trying to tear down.
Before the release of the Star Wars prequels, starting in 1999, LucasArts created all kinds of games, not just limiting themselves to their namesakes most famous invention, but when they did make Star Wars games, they made them as passion projects.
Unique games dreamt up by developers to tackle new gameplay ideas, aiming to advance and even create their own genres.
The Star Wars universe was simply an established backdrop to original video game premises that would’ve been interesting in their own right.
Titles such as the Tie Fighter and X-Wing series, to the Kyle Katarn saga of action-adventure shooters, all were praised for being good games, regardless of their association to the multi-million dollar franchise.
But with the prequels soon to be released, production at Lucas Arts instead began to shift towards checking boxes to release as many Star Wars related products as they could, and in as many genres as existed.
About Star Wars Republic Commando:
Star Wars: Republic Commando is a first-person shooter Star Wars computer and video game, released in the US on February 28, 2005. It was developed and published by LucasArts for the Windows and Xbox platforms, and a port developed and published by Aspyr Media was released for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on April 6, 2021. It is also playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X via backwards compatibility. The game uses the "Unreal Engine" developed by Epic Games. It was designed partly to bridge the gap between Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. The developers stated that whereas the films and novels are seen from the point of view of the Jedi, Republic Commando is told from the point of view of the troops.
It follows the tale of 'Delta Squad', an elite group of clone commandos, through three missions during the Clone Wars. Trained in squads of four by Mandalorian mercenaries such as Walon Vau and Kal Skirata, the commandos were more capable than their rank-and-file clone brethren, having undergone live-fire training as opposed to mere computerized simulations. All clone commandos were proficient with a large variety of weapons, computer systems, and demolitions equipment. The game covers Delta Squad's activities in three locations, the planet Geonosis, a derelict Acclamator-class assault ship designated the Prosecutor, and the planet Kashyyyk. In each location, the player leads the squad through a series of objectives while battling against enemy forces ranging from droids to Trandoshans. The player is assisted throughout the game by a clone advisor designated CC-01/425, who regularly updates mission objectives as each level progresses.
#starwars #republiccommando #jwlar

[@Jwlar]

What is your favourite Star Wars game? This is my third Star Wars video on this channel, with more on the way in the future. But first, I intend to return to the Elder Scrolls. Thanks for watching!

[@HDBattlefieldVideos]

Great video! My favourite is probably either Force Unleashed, or Jedi fallen order. Looking forward to the next Elder scrolls one, I found you from your Morrowind one, and I really loved it!

[@Jwlar]

@@HDBattlefieldVideos Force Unleashed was such a good game. Thanks for watching :)

[@stonecoat_art]

star wars dark forces was one of my first video games period, so I'm a bit biased to choose that one, however the pod racer game holds a special place in my heart

[@Jwlar]

@@stonecoat_art Dark forces 2 is a fav of mine, I need to spend more time checking out Dark forces too. Yeah, Star Wars Racer was great!

[@qjavdu]

TIE Fighter

[@amsgamingandmusic]

Man, I played the HELL out of this in the original Xbox. Never enjoyed a star wars game more- seriously, I utterly adored this game.

[@411Remnant]

One of the best star wars games ever made. Got it on switch and on steam. I think I will always prefer it on og xbox though since it was made for that system and later emulated for xbox one.

[@Jwlar]

Yep, it's so underrated by a lot of people too! I played it first on Xbox too, ran great!

[@LopezAlabama]

The Xbox version is the only one with split screen multiplayer, plus it has a slightly higher FOV than the new console ports!

[@versebuchanan512]

As someone who's legal first name is Sev, this game made my life weird for a few months after launch lol

[@ethandaley69]

Wow. From Daggerfall right into Republic Commando. This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite games. I can't really put into words the powers of nostalgia I feel when I think about my experience playing through and beating this game as a kid. I often find myself, to this day, asking helplessly: What happened to Sev, man?! What the actual f**k happened to Sev? Excellent work with this one!!

[@silentxero5955]

Completely agree!! Absolutely LOVE Republic Commando!!!

[@jakob8251]

The Republic Commando books are the best Star Wars Books, I really would lover to see it finish.

[@Jwlar]

Same, so much lost potential.

[@DIEGhostfish]

@@Jwlar Eh I like the first 3.5 books but later parts of Order 66 and pretty much all of Imperial commando didn't appeal to me. Her attempts to make the series darker just felt really clumsy.

[@stigkenobi7525]

Karen Traviss quit because Dave Filoni retconned lore and such, and destroyed her books. She couldn't finish the story without contradicting the crap he had done to the continuity. Later on, Filoni used the Mandalorian language (that she had created) in the Mandalorian, and took credit for it.

[@maxcooper6554]

@@stigkenobi7525 Side note: Traviss got snapped up by Micro$oft to become one of the main lore-masters for the Halo series and was contracted to never return to LucasArts.

[@Perceval777]

So much effort has went into making this retrospective, I can't believe it only has 53 likes and 600 views...

[@DIEGhostfish]

22:29 it's extra weird since Trandoshans are supposed to be around the same size as wookiees if a biiit smaller but they're total runts in this game other than the elite chaingunners

[@dtxspeaks268]

Dwarfism perhaps?

[@travus111]

Glad this still came out, I didn't hear the story that it was supposed to be cut

[@cornhub8823]

dude your channel is top quality stuff man. You deserve way more views and subscribers. Hope your channel continues to grow bigger and bigger, keep up the great work!

[@reinhardt3090]

this channel deserves more views wtf

[@paulwalker4044]

Damn i nearly forgot that this game even existed! Looking forward to sitting down and watching this one.

[@Jwlar]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@paulwalker4044]

@@Jwlar I did! Awesome video once again mate.

[@Tanuvein]

I never really looked into this game before, I'll have to get it on Steam or Switch, it looks fun.

[@OttoCent]

Love your style of videos! Looking forward for your next content and pretty hype by the list of your future videos!

[@Jwlar]

Thank you!

[@michaellane5381]

Fun thing to note about the blade vs Super Battle droids, if you take their gun arm by hitting their armpit, it only takes 2 hits at even higher difficulties. Edit: You're right about the multiplayer, though tbh it almost plays like you are a cross between a Spartan and ODST, the real hindrance is it is just a lesser Halo MP in almost every way, weapon variety and player count killed it most if anything, but the margin of difference is minimal.

[@NikoTeaJay]

You're making quality retrospectives. Nice, even look at this flawed gem of a game. Campaign structure makes it a very easy game to partially replay when the mood strikes me. Fun, accessible action romp.

[@Jwlar]

Thank you.

[@DIEGhostfish]

One warning is you can't actually use the all weapons cheat on the geonosis stages to get the fun guns like the conc rifle because allweapons includes all the clone guns./ And stops you from progressing the game when you objective is to pick up the sniper or anti armor attachment

[@TheSeeker225]

This game was amazing. It really surprised me when it released. Great video.

[@SerpC]

Thanks for reminding me of this great game! I remember the awesome main theme song.

[@maybenot4267]

Really interesting documentary, keep it up man !

[@Jwlar]

Thank you!

[@imtrashatsoccer8373]

this channel is extremely under rated

[@cartkart1]

Haven’t played this one until recently but I do have nostalgia for that era/aesthetic of 2000s star wars games (og Battlefront, Revenge of the Sith game, Star Wars Bounty Hunter)

[@SwiftDeath0608]

When I was a kid, I really wanted to play Halo since I saw my neighbor playing it. My dad wouldn’t budge on buying an xbox though, until one day he came home with an original Xbox and Republic Commando. I was a bit disappointed it wasn’t Halo, but I love Star Wars (so does my dad, it’s probably why he convinced himself to get the console) so I wasn’t that upset. Republic Commando will always be one of my favorite games ever, not just because it’s a phenomenal game, but it’s one of the few things I’m sentimental about

[@Mr._Anderpson]

"Thank you for 430 subscribers." From humble beginnings to increasing that number a hundredfold.. Keep goin' Jwlar. Just perusing the back catalog. Wouldn't want to recommend a game you've already reviewed.

[@Oriol-oo7jl]

2:32 i forgot the name but this game you call "generic and mediocre" gave my brother and me countless hours of coach jedi play When i've seen those frames back now, i've felt divided by the joy of seeing it and the hurtful of your words :( I also played Republic Comando on XBOX, and it was AWESOME. Thanks for the memories :)

[@stonecoat_art]

thanks for another good video man, probably going to pick this game up on switch after watching this :)

[@Jwlar]

Thanks for watching! A handheld way of playing this game is a great choice!

[@stonecoat_art]

@@Jwlar I'm back after playing the first 1/4th or so of the game. love it so far

[@Jwlar]

@@stonecoat_art That's great man! Glad you're enjoying it :)

[@Michaeluj]

While I appreciate the new things I learned about this, there are a few issues: Referencing that no attempt prior to this game was made to show the perspective of the troopers, Battlefront 1 was released a year earlier. And I'm not sure, but maybe Battlefront 2 did as well. Perhaps you were referring to RC's early development, when neither of these games were necessarily released, or in terms of the idea of the theme being depicted in the soundtrack, though. Then there's President Ward being elected in response to the games not selling well. Actually, Simon Jeffery was appointed for that reason in 2002 and got the game approved in the first place. However, when he left, the company was without a president for over a year before Ward *finally* accepted the position. The way it's described in the video, it seems like there were company issues and Ward swooped in to save the day and fire a bunch of people.

[@5000Seabass]

The first Battlefront didn’t do anything to show the perspective of troopers, and Battlefront 2 only had some pre mission narration. You just shot things as clones.

[@vintagecapgunsatyourmomshouse]

I really wanted to like this game and I do love the concept.

[@Raidenthemandude]

I remember as a young kid feeling this game had a mystical almost supernatural element to it. It was more challenging and enthralling than any game my young self had ever faced. Having played battlefront and the Lego Star Wars games. This game was so goddamn unique and cool. I still remeber my heart racing with excitement as I watched the credits roll the first time. To say I adored this game as a kid would be a gross under simplification. I was hooked. Hook line and sinker.

[@hamsterhamstermann1907]

I like your videos thank you

[@Deadforge]

One of the more underrated star wars games

[@Cybernaut551]

It's an imperfect masterpiece, the mouse sensitivity can be fixed, respectively; the gameplay is a masterpiece. I enjoy flawed masterpieces.

[@Frank-zw7gn]

It is beyond me how the solo missions feel dull to you, they're tense af

[@alexanderrahl7034]

I hate that I missed the boat on republic commando. When it came out, I played the demo to death on my PC. Loving every minute of it, as did my brother and father. But I didn't get the full game until years later into my adulthood when i bought it on steam. And by then the linear levels, dated graphics, and hand holdy first level did nothing but give me a sense of disgust. To this day I still haven't finished the game. But I know I would be among it's legion of fans if I had played the whole thing back then

[@GreatestEverGuy]

i remember playing this waaay back in 05 the day after i graduated high school...

[@dad_bod_gaming9422]

Justice for sev

[@rifle2563]

Absolutely kino game

[@CrazyxEnigma]

I loved this game, first squad based shooter I played that I enjoyed. Couldn't get into the old Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six games when I was that young. And then a year later we got Rainbow Six Vegas, played that a lot over the years the terrorist quotes will live in my head forever "What do we do?" "We grow a pair of balls!" Lol.

[@maddlarkin]

The flaw I think with Republic Commando was it missed its sense of lethality wi5h overly tankie enemies, even basic B1 droids take 2 or 3 hits making it feel like your super fancy blaster was next to useless and leaving you perpetually short out of ammo and relying on a recharging side arm, I'm sure it was done to reinforce the idea your not a super powered Jedi but it harmed the experince and pacing esp once the infinite spawn box's started showing up. It would massively improved its feel and replayability if B1's and other fodder enemies had been 1 shot kills

[@natebush8217]

This game kicks ass! The squad-based mechanics were almost perfect (much better fleshed out than Gears of War a year later)and is just a satisfying shooter in its own right. :)

[@BazookaTooth707]

I remember I got to the mission where there was a timer and I could never beat it. Never went back to it. Lol

[@nextisomi]

They have no idea how crazy a remake could sell...

[@DavidsSanity]

When the game trailer dropped i was so hyped sad that we never got a sequel

[@dionbiddle7648]

Fantastic vid! I thought the COD engine was derived from id tech 3, but I maybe misremembering.

[@Jwlar]

No, you're correct. that was a big oversight on my behalf.

[@jonathancarroll8286]

I wanted to love this game but you're 100% right about everything being a bullet sponge. completely takes you out of the emersion

[@ragnose1]

you should command your squad to attack targets as much as possible and cycle them out to heal/keep em up more, its necessary to keep them fighting strong. They dont do anythign without you, but that also means they will do a lot with you. Its meant to encourage you hard to play tactically with your squad, in every encounter, against every enemy. thus i bind the command key to a mouse button. also the rifles more of a fall back weapon, as your supposed to be exploiting weaknesses with the sniper and grenade launcher. I found that genosions for example were weak to sniper shots at a specific point, and if you put sven in a sniper spot then ordered a focus fire, hed often take em down quickly. your also more encouraged to use iron sights because it massively tightens your spread, and not to just run around like halo. It legit isnt really meant to be played like halo.

[@nickoliekeyov746]

I wonder if, in-lore, it’s possible that clones had different voices, or if they all sounded like Jango? Accents are one thing but tone is another

[@camraid9]

I have games since the original sim city, and the 2000-2016 period was the best.

[@tehparol]

I like u more than patriciantv. keep it up !!!!

[@Jwlar]

Thank you!

[@DIEGhostfish]

21:40 the Trandos don't have rocket launchers unless you mean their turret emplacements/ They have the Concussion rifle instead.

[@williamvigil2951]

Ah good times

[@DIEGhostfish]

Are there mods for this game, a mod to make the weapons and ammo work more like Dark Forces would be appreciated.Carry one of every weapon. Enemies INCLUDING droids drop ammo, the Concussion Rifle uses a type of ammo in common with the trandoshan ACP weapons much like it used Power Cell ammo in Dark Forces 1&2 and "Metalic bolt"(For some reason) ammo in Jedi Academy

[@BigLongRandomNumberNameM-kf9vy]

26:02 Was it? I thought the Call of Duty games used idTech 3

[@VARVIS_]

Played the shit out of the online multiplayer on the PC

[@MezoBE]

Slept on channel, You’ll be a million in no time!

[@chrisharmon223]

Gotta disagree on how the enemies are bullet sponges and weapons feel underpowered. Part of what makes commandos the best is that it would’ve taken thousands of clones to do what they did while they can run suicide missions and get the job done. Foley did the sound work for the game and everything sounds unique and on steroids.

[@qjavdu]

"Star Wars isn't the first franchise one thinks of when imagining a hardcore mature FPS" Why would you say that? Star Wars: Dark Forces is the first "hardcore mature FPS" that this one can think of - it even predates Strife and Outlaws, which are the other two early examples. Well, there were System Shock and Cyclones before, but neither are really FPSs, but I digress; Star Wars definitely IS that for ones who were playing games in the 90s.

[@DIEGhostfish]

Republic Commando was dragged down by damage sponge enemies a shitty primary weapon, limited level art variety, very limited ammunition for good weapons, the Anti armor attachment not just being the equivalent to a permanently attached bolt-on grenade launcher, and only letting you carry ONE non-clone weapon. Also even when you had enough ammo for it the concussion rifle was PATHETIC compared to Dark Forces 1&2 and even compared to Jedi Academy's already gimped version. It was more useful as a stun prod. Even so there's still a lot to love about the game for atmosphere and dialog.

[@Cha4k]

Are you sure the Call of Duty games are derived from the UE2 engine? I think the original was Q3 engine and everything since has been downstream from that.

[@Jwlar]

Yeah, it was a mistake. It's the Quake engine ad you said. My bad :)

[@Drafonni]

You missed a couple times stamps.

[@akthethotboi9711]

Helldivers original version

[@HelminthCombos]

in the multiplayer hoping was the way to throw off aim.

[@russguastello]

star wars jedi power battles was not mediocre it was the shit.

[@kernaburna]

No... Please... No sequal. No good can come of this.

[@Jwlar]

True. A sequel back then would’ve been fine, but I don’t trust today’s devs and writers to do it justice.

[@kernaburna]

Exactly

[@user-xi9mg2xo8p]

hjkjhkjhk

[@Civerius]

When you speak, bring your chin up some more,, lower db boost and stop taking in so much breath when you speak a sentence. also record your flow in paragraphs, idk i can't rly hear you clearly when you change speaking speed randomly in sentences.

[@Ghostcharm]

another amazing piece of work man. do you have discord? i'd love to chat with you about an idea i have :)

[@Jwlar]

Thanks man. Sure thing, I shot you a message :)