Star Wars Zero Company is a surprise GOTY contender — but you need to switch on permadeath, trust me

Star Wars Zero Company, a new turn-based tactics game set during the Clone Wars era, offers an exciting experience for fans of the iconic sci-fi universe. The game allows players to recruit and lead a squad of operators, facing various mission objectives such as destroying enemy bases, rescuing allies, or stealing valuable data.

To enhance the gameplay experience, developers Bit Reactor have included a permadeath setting, which adds a new dimension to the game. When enabled, permadeath makes every decision feel extremely high-stakes, as each operator can only sustain three injuries before dying permanently. This means that there are no comebacks, and the consequences of failure are severe. However, the presence of injuries can be healed at the base's medical bay, providing a safety net for players.

The permadeath setting brings the squad members to life, as players interact with them between missions, assign custom names and outfits, and choose their loadouts. Each character becomes an essential part of the player's Star Wars family. With permadeath active, the risk of losing a squad member weighs heavily on players' minds.

In a recent play session, the player found themselves in a challenging situation, where the life of one of their operators, Trick, was in danger during an optional side mission. The permadeath mechanic forced the player to reassess their strategy and prioritize their remaining squad members' safety.

For those seeking an even greater challenge, the game offers Beskar Mode, which disables manual saving and autosaves after every single turn. In this mode, players must live with the consequences of every move, with no second chances. A single mistake, such as Hawks getting surrounded by enemy troops and dying, results in a permanent game over. This option is only recommended for players with true nerves of steel, as it takes the stakes to an extreme level.

Overall, Star Wars Zero Company is a compelling Star Wars video game that stands out among recent releases. With its strategic combat, cinematic production values, and focus on player decisions, it offers an engaging experience that appeals to both Star Wars fans and tactical game enthusiasts. While it may not be an immediate GOTY contender for everyone, turning on permadeath provides a thrilling test of decision-making and raises the game to a new level.