The TPS Report - Games, Beats 'n' Blogs

PC Demo of Republic Commando Released
Posted by Diggler - 2/2/2005 13:54

In RC you play a special-ops Clone Trooper, backed up by three squad mates

The highly awaited first person squad-based shooter Republic Commando now has a demo available for the PC, courtesy of 3D Gamers. The demo features almost an entire mission set on the Wookie planet of Kashyyyk, and I must say it's a considerably cooler level than the one we saw in the Xbox demo.

We get to see a lot more of the weapons, better examples of the squad abilities, and some fantastic in-game cut-scenes that blew me away. This really is turning out to be a solid looking title.

Most impressive to me was the engine. Using modified Unreal tech, it manages to look stunningly beautiful, make thorough use of fancy effects like bump-mapping, yet still maintain tons of characters on screen at once at a consistently smooth frame-rate. Full physics are also included, and a brilliant example of that can be seen by taking out any of the rocket-pack wielding enemies, then watching them spiral all over the place as their jets malfunction.

Even in a galaxy far, far away, ragdoll grenade deaths remain the most fun EVER

It's a surprisingly violent game for a LucasArts title. Blood sprays everywhere (including all over your visor), characters run around on fire, and there's much in the way of dead Wookie action to boot. I still can't get enough of the death system either.

On the downside, as originally predicted, this is one of those ultra-rare releases that just feels more at home on the Xbox than the PC, much like Halo did. Don't get me wrong, it's looking to be a fantastic game on either system, and graphical is slightly better here than on the MS microwave, but grabbing hold of a big old rumbling controller with proper squeezable triggers somehow feels more natural with these big meaty characters and chunky explosions. With a mouse 'n' keyboard it's all a little light and hollow.

Squad commands are context sensitive based on holographic images

I must also say, while the AI is damn solid 90% of the time, every now and then it'll do something so unbelievably spasticated it'll make you scream. I had to restart from the beginning of the level at one point because the squad mate who was triggered to tell me where to go next got stuck behind a rock miles away.

It's a shame to see that kinda thing, because the way the troops take cover, mash up enemies, blow away spot lights, and generally kick Trando arse is very well done for the most part. Some of their smaller actions and comments made me laugh too, such as cocky remarks between the troops, or the sight of one guy shooting up dead bodies just to make sure they weren't playing possum.

With a month left on development, fingers crossed these tiny niggles are ironed out. In the meantime I certainly recommend any fan of the first person shooter genre grab this demo as soon as possible. Plus, if you're a Star Wars fan, look out for some brief but rather meaty little glimpses into Episode III here too...

3D Gamers - Republic Commando Demo