Star Wars Zero Company is a very safe XCOM descendant, but its most interesting parts are found in its Midnight Suns DNA

Star Wars Zero Company is a game that brings fans of the XCOM series more of what they love - turn-based shootouts, perishable soldiers, and tense moments of survival. The game is a faithful descendant of XCOM, but it also incorporates elements from Firaxis' Midnight Suns, resulting in a unique experience. The team behind Zero Company includes former Firaxis veterans, led by Greg Foertsch, the former art director of Firaxis, who brought his expertise to the new venture.

While the game shares similarities with XCOM 2, it is not quite the same. The developer faces the risk of comparison with the popular XCOM series, as seen with XCOM: Chimera Squad. In Zero Company, the developers tried to create something different, but it is still very much an XCOM game, albeit a slightly altered version.

One standout feature of Zero Company is the astromech droid class. Unlike traditional XCOM soldiers, these droids serve a support role, providing extra action points, squad-wide buffs, and self-healing abilities. This approach adds another layer of strategy and teamwork to the game, making each crew member feel important and impactful.

However, there are some drawbacks to the game. The combat arenas are often small, open spaces with limited variety, which can make the experience feel repetitive. Additionally, the game seems to favor the use of gamepads over mouse and keyboard controls, making it less enjoyable for players who prefer the latter. Despite these issues, the game manages to capture the essence of XCOM while bringing fresh elements inspired by Midnight Suns.