Republic Commando: The Greatest Star Wars Game Never to Get a Sequel

The Star Wars gaming landscape has flourished in recent years, producing several high-caliber experiences. The Star Wars Jedi duology stands as the crowning achievement of EA’s tenure, while Star Wars Outlaws has proven to be a refreshing surprise, masterfully adapting Ubisoft’s open-world blueprint for a galaxy far, far away. Yet, despite these successes, a specific void remains—one that hasn’t been filled since the release of Star Wars: Republic Commando, arguably the most iconic Star Wars title to never receive a proper follow-up.

Set during the height of the Clone Wars—the pivotal era of the prequel trilogy—Republic Commando shifts the focus away from expendable frontline infantry. Instead, you step into the boots of “Boss,” the seasoned leader of Delta Squad. Your team is composed of specialized commandos Fixer, Scorch, and Sev, each bringing a unique personality to the tactical fray. Together, they execute high-stakes operations that the regular Grand Army simply cannot handle, such as the perilous rescue of a Wookiee Chieftain. Launching three years before the 2008 Clone Wars animated series, the game offered fans a gritty, ground-level perspective on the conflict, proving that the Star Wars mythos is just as captivating when the focus moves away from Jedi, Sith, and lightsaber duels.

The gameplay remains a high-water mark for tactical shooters, blending fluid first-person combat with intuitive squad commands across legendary environments like the droid foundries of Geonosis and the dense forests of Kashyyyk. One particularly atmospheric level set aboard a derelict starship remains a standout; separated from your brothers in a darkened, claustrophobic environment, you are hunted by lethal Trandoshan slavers. Whether viewed through the lens of nostalgia or modern standards, Republic Commando holds its ground as one of the most immersive FPS titles ever made.

The game’s legacy is widely recognized. Major publications like Polygon have cemented its place among the essential Star Wars titles, and it consistently appears at the top of rankings across multiple gaming outlets. While its Metacritic score of 78 is respectable, it doesn’t quite reflect the deep-seated adoration fans have for this project. It is this very passion that makes the absence of a sequel so frustrating.

A follow-up wasn’t just a pipe dream; LucasArts had concrete ideas in development. According to lead developer Brett Douville, two major narratives were being weighed for a potential sequel. One concept would have seen the squad navigating the dark waters of Revenge of the Sith, carrying out the infamous Order 66 and hunting Jedi. The other would have focused on Sev, depicting him as the foundational soldier of the Rebellion. “Every Rebellion begins with a single soldier” was the evocative tagline proposed during these discussions (as revealed in a 2016 interview via Kotaku).

Either premise would have been a fascinating expansion of the Delta Squad saga. However, these visions never materialized. Douville explained that LucasArts initiated an internal “reboot” of its business model before these pitches could gain traction. Shortly thereafter, the landscape shifted permanently when Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. This led to the closure of internal development at LucasArts and the unceremonious cancellation of several highly anticipated projects, most notably Star Wars 1313.

Following the Disney acquisition, fans lived through an era of EA exclusivity that resulted in a somewhat sparse library, including the *Battlefront* reboots and Star Wars: Squadrons. Now that the exclusivity window has closed, the floodgates have opened. This new era has already given us Star Wars Outlaws and sparked announcements for various projects like the Knights of the Old Republic remake, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic. Even EA is continuing its work with a third *Jedi* title and the mysterious Star Wars Zero Company.

Curiously, Republic Commando remains absent from this modern revival. At this stage, even a full-scale remake or a polished reboot would be a welcome sight, potentially serving as a litmus test to gauge interest in a legitimate sequel. While we wait for a gaming return that may never come, fans can turn to the literary world to continue the story. Karen Traviss’s Republic Commando novel series eventually incorporates Delta Squad as major players, specifically starting with the second book, Triple Zero.

As of March 1, Republic Commando celebrates its 21st anniversary. In honor of this milestone, let’s toast to the enduring legacy of Delta Squad—the greatest Star Wars story ever left unfinished.

Source: Polygon