Whether or not one played Star Wars: Republic Commando back when it first came out in 2005 on the original Xbox or PC, there is a lot to learn about this first-person shooter. The genre has changed a lot over the past sixteen years, making many aspects of the game feel like relics of the past even though this is technically a remaster.Â
This set of tips will focus on the Switch version of the game in terms of button language, but they generally apply to all versions of the game. That includes if gamers is playing on Xbox One via backwards compatibility, which also a good emulated version. Regardless of the platform, here are a few tips to keep in mind when playing this Star Wars classic.Â
8 Changing Controls Helps The Game Feel More Natural
The default controller options on the Switch will assuredly feel weird compared to modern first-person shooter setups. For example, the melee button is set to B. Change that instead to clicking in the right stick, change jump to B, change cycle detonators to Y, change throw to L, and change zoom to ZL.
Fixing these controls in the options menu will not be perfect, but it should help this Star Wars game feel somewhat more modern. Alternatively, of course, players can change the controls to whatever feels best for them.
7 Remove Your Helmet
Some players might want to fully immerse themselves as a clone trooper and thus keep the helmet visor on. However, there is no strategic reason to do this other than to stay in character as the leader of Delta Squad.
It’s actually better to remove the helmet in the HUD options. This gives the player less of a lens to look through and a clearer view of the battlefield. The graphics and frame rate tend to make it a bit blurry so the more clear of a view one has, the better.Â
6 Take Advantage Of Save Options
One of the best aspects of this Star Wars game are the save options. Saves are done automatically at checkpoints, but the game can also be saved anywhere manually. What’s more, hitting the Minus button on the Switch will create a quick save. Use that often before an encounter and also make sure to manually save at the start of a new mission.
The more saves, the better, as they don't take up much space on the Switch. What's more, they're not restricted to a finite count like a lot of modern games.Â
5 Be Careful Of Friendly Fire
Controls aside, this aspect of this Star Wars game can also make it feel ancient. Players can accidentally kill their teammates because the game has friendly fire. There are no options to turn it off either, which is odd considering even NES games had this option.
Players must attention to where they shoot and should be especially aware of where comrades are when tossing out a grenade. Thankfully, teammates can be revived, which makes up for this mechanic. Still, it would be better if it was gone altogether.Â
4 Easy Mode Is God Mode
When it comes to predicting the actual challenge of a difficulty level in a game, it’s a tossup. Easy can still be tough in some games – but in this Star Wars game, it’s like a god mode. Players can walk through firefights with barely their shields getting damaged.
Easy, in this case, may be too easy. If a player wants to plow through the game, this is the way to go. It's not much of a long game in the first place, nor is the difficulty spike on other modes worth going through.Â
3 Use HeadphonesÂ
There is a lot of chatter from squad mates and other things in the game. In can be difficult to parse through, considering there are also a lot of explosions and gun fire around as well. If one has access to headphones, use them. This makes it easier to focus through the noise.
It’s also just a better way to experience this Star Wars game as the music, effects, and everything in-between make it sound like an authentic film experience. A surround system would also be nice here, but headphones are often more readily available for players.Â
2 Let Your Squad Be
Despite the game being sixteen years old, the AI for the clone troopers is pretty smart. They’re not going to solve physics equations anytime soon, but they can handle themselves in a gunfight.
Unless one needs them specifically for something in the game, it’s okay to leave them be. The biggest exception to this are big targets like Super Battle Droids, which should always have fire focused on them from all sides.
1 Do It Yourself
Most of this Star Wars game’s prompts will show situations where squad mates are needed to access something. Players might need to hit A for someone to hack into a door, for example.
If they want, players can actually do these tasks themselves. This may not help a lot of gamers, because for the most part, it is easier to let the clone troopers handle these objectives. However, knowing it’s an option is helpful in its own way.Â