Lucasfilm Games, Bit Reactor, and Respawn Entertainment have officially unveiled Star Wars: Zero Company, a brand-new single-player, turn-based tactics game set during the closing days of the Clone Wars.
Announced during Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, the game is slated for release in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S—and it’s already drawing comparisons to tactical strategy giants like XCOM and Fire Emblem.
Strategic Gameplay With Star Wars Flair
Star Wars: Zero Company places you in the boots of Hawks, a customizable former Republic officer tasked with leading an elite squad of misfits and veterans across the galaxy. Gameplay is built around grid-based, turn-based combat, where positioning, cover, and character synergy are key. Like XCOM, every move counts, and the inclusion of optional permadeath raises the stakes for each soldier you command.
But it’s not all combat—between missions, players return to a mobile base where they can research upgrades, customize squad loadouts, and build interpersonal bonds. This layer of downtime draws from RPG systems seen in games like Mass Effect and Fire Emblem: Three Houses, letting players shape the personalities and relationships of their team. These relationships even translate into unique tactical bonuses on the battlefield, rewarding thoughtful interactions and character development.
Meet the Squad: Zero Company
Zero Company isn’t your average group of clones. The squad includes fully voiced, story-driven characters with distinct backgrounds, abilities, and motivations. Key operatives revealed so far include:
- Trick – A seasoned Clone Trooper who serves as the squad’s backbone
- Tel-Rea Vokoss – A young Jedi Padawan with growing Force powers
- Luco Bronc – A silent Umbaran sharpshooter with a shady past
- Cly Kullervo – A battle-hardened Mandalorian with a strategic mind
In addition to these fixed characters, players can recruit and customize a wide range of additional operatives—selecting from iconic Star Wars species like Twi’leks, Rodians, Zabraks, and even astromech droids. Gear loadouts, class specializations, and visual customization options ensure no two squads look or play the same.
A Darker Side of the Clone Wars
Unlike many Clone Wars-era Star Wars titles that lean into grand Jedi heroism or clone battles, Zero Company takes a more intimate and morally complex approach. Bit Reactor has described the game as focusing on “the forgotten soldiers” and “those caught in the cracks of galactic war.” This grounded tone could echo the success of shows like Andor or The Clone Wars’ darker arcs, showing the ethical gray zones of loyalty, war, and identity within the Republic.
The game is also said to feature branching narratives and consequences based on your tactical and interpersonal decisions—making it not just a war game, but a character-driven story where outcomes matter.
First Look: The Official Trailer
The official announce trailer sets the tone with moody, cinematic visuals, a stirring orchestral score, and glimpses of high-stakes missions across varied Star Wars environments—from war-torn cityscapes to covert night operations in jungle worlds. The trailer also teases lightsaber combat, stealth mechanics, and dramatic story beats involving betrayal and loss.
Watch the trailer here: Star Wars: Zero Company | Official Trailer
Release & What To Expect
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Release Window: 2026
- Genre: Turn-based tactical RPG
- Developer: Bit Reactor (founded by XCOM and Civilization veterans)
- Publisher: EA / Lucasfilm Games
With Star Wars: Zero Company, fans can expect a refreshingly strategic, character-focused take on the galaxy far, far away. As more gameplay footage and character reveals roll out ahead of launch, this title looks poised to become the definitive Star Wars tactical experience.
Stay tuned for updates—especially as gameplay demos and developer deep-dives are expected during events like Gamescom 2025 and The Game Awards.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Gamers have been eager to play LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga with friends since its release. Many players wonder if they can team up online to explore the galaxy far, far away. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga does not feature online multiplayer capabilities, offering only local split-screen co-op play.
This follows the pattern of previous LEGO games, which typically focus on couch co-op experiences rather than online play. Players wanting to team up must be in the same room, using the same system. This limitation has been a point of frustration for fans who want to play with friends without needing to visit each other’s homes.
Despite the lack of online features, the local co-op mode still offers plenty of fun. Two players can work together to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and explore the extensive LEGO Star Wars universe side by side on the same screen.
Key Takeaways
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga only supports local split-screen co-op and has no online multiplayer functionality.
- Players must be in the same physical location using the same system to enjoy the game’s multiplayer features.
- The local co-op experience allows two players to explore all game content together through split-screen gameplay.
Multiplayer Mechanics and Features
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga offers players cooperative gameplay options with intuitive mechanics designed for shared adventures. The game focuses primarily on local multiplayer functionality with specific features that enhance the gameplay experience for multiple players.
Co-op Experience in The Skywalker Saga
The Skywalker Saga builds on the beloved co-op tradition of previous LEGO games with improved mechanics. Players can experience the entire adventure together, controlling different characters simultaneously.
Each player has independent camera control, allowing more freedom to explore the expansive worlds. This is a significant improvement over previous LEGO games where players were tethered to the same screen area.
The game offers character-specific abilities that encourage teamwork. For example, one player might use Force powers as a Jedi while another utilizes a blaster character’s shooting mechanics with the improved aiming system.
Players can switch between available characters in their roster without interrupting gameplay. This allows for strategic character selection based on the challenges ahead.
Local Co-op Vs. Online Co-op
The Skywalker Saga primarily focuses on local cooperative play. Two players can share the same screen and system, playing side by side on a single console.
Local Co-op Features:
- Split-screen functionality
- Shared progress and collectibles
- Immediate interaction between players
- Available across all platforms (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC)
Unfortunately, despite fan requests, The Skywalker Saga does not include online cooperative gameplay. This limitation means friends cannot play together remotely through internet connections.
Many fans have expressed disappointment about this missing feature, especially as online gaming has become increasingly popular and accessible.
Two Player Drop-In/Drop-Out Functionality
One of the most user-friendly aspects of The Skywalker Saga’s multiplayer is its seamless drop-in/drop-out system. This feature allows a second player to join or leave the game at any time without disrupting gameplay.
The process is simple:
- Connect a second controller
- Press any button to join
- Select an available character
When a player drops out, the AI automatically takes control of their character. This ensures mission progress continues uninterrupted.
This flexibility is perfect for casual gaming sessions where players might need to take breaks. It’s also ideal for families with younger players who might not want to commit to entire gaming sessions.
The drop-in/drop-out system works during all gameplay segments except certain story cutscenes.
Gameplay Content and Interactivity
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga offers an expansive gameplay experience with hundreds of characters and diverse environments for players to enjoy in local co-op mode.
Playable Characters and Iconic Heroes
The game features over 300 playable characters spanning all nine films of the Skywalker saga. Players can control legendary heroes like Luke Skywalker, Rey, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, or switch to infamous villains such as Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, and Emperor Palpatine.
Characters are organized into different classes including Jedi, Sith, Bounty Hunters, Scavengers, and more. Each class has unique abilities that help solve puzzles and access different areas of the game.
In co-op mode, the second player sometimes gets assigned to supporting characters during story missions. This can be limiting during certain iconic battles like Anakin versus Obi-Wan, where player two controls droids instead of participating in the main duel.
Character upgrades are available through a skill tree system, allowing both players to customize their experience based on preferred playstyles.
Exploring Planets and Vehicles
The Skywalker Saga lets players explore 23 distinct planets from the Star Wars universe. Each location features recognizable landmarks and hidden collectibles to discover together.
Planet exploration includes:
- Open-world hub areas on planets like Tatooine, Coruscant, and Jakku
- Side missions and puzzles unique to each world
- Mini-games and challenges that utilize co-op mechanics
The game includes over 100 vehicles and ships to pilot. From the Millennium Falcon to X-wings and TIE fighters, these vehicles add variety to gameplay. Split-screen co-op allows both players to participate in space battles simultaneously.
Land vehicles like speeders and AT-STs can be controlled cooperatively, with one player driving while the other handles weapons systems.
The Force, Jedi, and Lightsaber Mechanics
Force users have special abilities that enhance gameplay and puzzle-solving. Jedi and Sith characters can move objects telekinetically, mind-trick NPCs, and access special areas.
Lightsaber combat received significant upgrades compared to previous LEGO Star Wars games. The system includes:
- Combo attacks with multiple button inputs
- Blocking and counterattack mechanics
- Lightsaber throwing for ranged combat
Force abilities vary between Light and Dark side users. Light side characters like Jedi can heal and protect, while Dark side users have lightning attacks and choking abilities.
In co-op play, combining different Force powers creates strategic opportunities. One player might lift enemies with the Force while the other attacks with a lightsaber.
The variety of Force powers encourages experimentation and teamwork between both players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiplayer options in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga have several limitations and specific features that players should know about. The game offers local co-op gameplay but has certain restrictions regarding online play.
What platforms support multiplayer in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga?
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga supports local multiplayer on all platforms where the game is available. This includes PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
The multiplayer is limited to local split-screen co-op on all these platforms. There is no native online multiplayer support regardless of which system players use.
Is there an option for 4 player split-screen in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga?
No, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga does not support 4-player split-screen. The game is strictly limited to 2-player co-op.
This follows the traditional LEGO game format where two players can enjoy the adventure together on the same screen. The developers did not include options for expanding beyond the two-player limit.
How does the 2 player split-screen feature work in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga?
The 2-player split-screen in The Skywalker Saga divides the screen horizontally or vertically depending on player positions. Players can control different characters simultaneously and work together to solve puzzles or battle enemies.
Each player has their own screen section, allowing them to move independently within the game world. The game automatically adjusts the split when players move close together or far apart.
Has online co-op been added to LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga for PC users?
No official online co-op feature has been added to LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga for PC users. Despite player requests, TT Games has not implemented online multiplayer functionality in any updates.
The game remains focused on local co-op experiences only. Some PC players have explored workarounds, but there is no official support for online play.
Are there any modifications available to enable online co-op in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga?
While some players have searched for mods to enable online play, there are no reliable or official modifications that successfully add online co-op to the game. Some unofficial attempts exist in gaming communities, but these are not supported by the developers.
Players using third-party tools like remote play services can share their screen with friends online. However, these are not true online multiplayer solutions but rather workarounds for the lack of native support.
What are the reasons behind the absence of online multiplayer in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga?
The developers at TT Games have not provided specific reasons for excluding online multiplayer from LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Industry speculation suggests it may relate to technical challenges, development resources, or design philosophy.
LEGO games traditionally focus on shared screen experiences that encourage in-person cooperation. Adding network code and online infrastructure would have required additional development time and resources.
Some fans believe the decision may have been influenced by the desire to preserve the casual, drop-in nature of LEGO game co-op. Online multiplayer would have necessitated more formal matchmaking systems.
