Rule 23: Never pull sentry duty on an empty stomach. Rule 39: Never say no to Bacta. Rule 42: www.patreon.com/ThaneBishop. Oh wow, that’s weird, how did this clickable link end up in my copy of the Clone Trooper handbook?

The fact that the sequal 'Imperial Commando' was canceled is one of the biggest gaming regrets of my life.

The 2000s was really the golden age of Star Wars video games. Kotor 1 and 2, Republic Commando, Battlefront 1 and 2, Rogue Squadron, Lego Star Wars etc. Such a good time back then.

11:00 I will NEVER forget the numerous times the boys have DISOBEYED my orders just to revive me. I understand it might be a bug, but I'd like to think it's moreso the fact that these are our BOYS, our BROTHERS, and even if you're adamant they hold the line until they can turn down the heat, hearing the revive go off and the quippy "Can you die later? This isn't a good time, sir" from Scorch as all *HELL* breaks loose? Its priceless.

My favorite quote: (Delta 62: "This place is giving me the creeps.") "Ah Scorch...nothing better than a jungle hunt...hiding in the bush...putting a plasma bolt through a hostile's cranium (exhales)...makes me feel alive." (Delta 62: "Okay, now Oh-Seven's giving me the creeps…")

"Getting a read on something big headed this way" "Hope it's not a spider-droid" **door opens** "Guess what, it's a spider droid!" "INCOMING"

Another awesome thing about this game is that they got actual Special Forces operators to oversee the way the dev team animated the Commandos; how they moved, handled their weapons, breached and cleared rooms, etc. All of it was okayed by real life military commandos, so it looked legit. This game is such a treasure.

There were 2 planned (but scrapped) sequels: imperial commando and rebel commando. They heavily implied that in the first game, you played as the same commando team minus Sev (so just a 3 man team) doing missions for the empire, and in the second, you played as Sev, who after capture in Kashyyk refused to serve the empire and joined the rebel alliance. Shame we never got to see those.

Let’s all pour one out for Scorch on this day.

I`ve said this before, the way RC does B2`s is my fave. Not so easy to kill and way more terrifying, without a light-saber

at 11:00 on the subject of waiting for your squad to revive you, it should be mentioned that you can "force" one of them to come help you, the "recall and revive" option. This option I used a lot in the early game, until I realized that letting my squad do their thing was sometimes the right choice. Your weapon does not deal more damage to enemies than your squadmates', your revival is not worth risking one or more of your squadmates getting downed trying to get to you, or both of you just getting downed as soon as you're revived. Your squad is competent. They're supposed to feel as competent as you. And that's mighty refreshing when all other games, yes all, with companions or squadmates never even get close to that feeling, often they don't even seem to try. Whether it's because your companions are incompetent, or massively overpowered compared to you, doesn't matter. Only Republic Commando has ever gotten me that close to feeling equal to my AI pals.

One other "Subtle" bit of perspective I like from this game is that it does a good job of telling you without telling you of the changes to the Republic, even in simple things like the Ship Names. Because this isn't a game where you're sailing around on some great ship named "The Liberator" or "Freedom Sings" or even something noble like "Home One" or "Ebon Hawk". Your home is the "Prosecutor". You're saved by the "Arrestor". Those aren't the names of a ship The Good Guys use.

this game is peak star WARS but i havent played it myself for a while now, so i am stunned seeing the squad AI dynamically crouch walk under the shots of the player at 8:04 when their pathfinding makes them run past the players line of fire, this game was advertised as a squad based game and this amount of detail in AI is something u very rarely see even now, with the latest id say being dragons dogma 2

God the second level aboard The Prosecutor...you really have to take the tag line of the game to heart. *"THE SQUAD IS YOUR WEAPON"*

Fun fact, the guy who voiced Scorch also voiced Carth in Kotor

"A battleship against a cruiser?" "we can give them a black eye at least"

My gaming wet dream is a VR Republic Commando reboot akin to the quality of Half Life Alyx. Ordering lifelike commandos with hand gestures and actually pointing along with configuring your weapons with your actual hands would be extremely cool in VR. Plus little things like the seeing the inside of the commandos helmet would make one of the most annoying things about VR (wearing the headset) actually a POSITIVE thing by immersing you because it you not only see but also feel like you're wearing a helmet lol.

I always found a certain small detail really funny. When you hit your Teammates one too many times with your weapons, or with damage from exploding barrels you destroyed, they turn hostile and yell that you are a traitor to the Republic and they will down you and you have to reload a previous save game as they will not revive a traitor. I only did that once out of accident and it sticked with me since then.

The Republic Commandos and Battlefront II were the blueprint for good Clone Wars stories AND games for me, they set the bar high. Kinda realizing that Delta Squad was the blueprint for Clone Force 99 now that i think about it

This and ODST absolutely nailed the vibes of having comrades you know and trust. The devil is in the details in making an entity that is little more than a collection of voice lines and mocap recordings feel like a friend you've known all your life RC is far from perfect, but it laid a memorable foundation that was criminally cast aside.

They were definitely setting up Sev to be the main character for another game, that's my piece. There's no way they would leave such a major loose end in such a well-made game if they didn't have plans for it.

Losing Sev is like losing Sidonus in Space Marine, that's not just your squadmate that's your Brother, the only difference is we don't get to see Sev go down, but we know he went down fighting right at the end, we see Sidonus just finish off the last of the Chaos forces assailing him just for the Chaos Lord Nemeroth to stab him from behind while we are too far to help and Sidnous would be in the way of our Bolt rounds, and even if they hit... Nemeroth wears Terminator armor so they'd have no real effect unless a headshot is landed.

One line I picked up from this game was from Scorch. "Red-Red-Green? Or Red-Green-Red?" I like to say it when planting explosives in any game

Scorch deserved better. You know what I'm talking about.

“Was it red red green? Or red green red?”

Brilliant assessment. For the record Republic Commando it still my favorite Star Wars game also even after all this time. So much so I was obsessed with reading the book series by Karen Traviss. I couldn’t get enough of them. Which is also how I was introduced to the intricacies of Mandalorian culture and their language. I think I still have a copy of the original Mando'a to English dictionary Traviss posted on her website all those years ago. The Commando’s are a hidden gem Disney has squandered as far as I’m concerned.

Something I would like to point out. If memory serves, it's stated somewhere that the vibro-knife is Fixer's weapon of choice. He's not just the computer-guy, *he's the CQC specialist.* A "slicer" in more than one way.

I feel like this game helps lead to modern small squad co-op shooters today like Deep Rock Galactic and Helldivers 2. Though instead of the narrative and character focus, it's an interactive player based teamwork focus. But the core remains that teamwork makes the dream work, on top of solid gameplay and design. There's nothing as binding to another player as helping them back on their feet after going down or standing together against an incoming swarm. And both also carry that "grunt's perspective" of a wider galaxy, though obviously misses on the "small story from a bigger context" that playing anything in Star Wars does. Still, I fondly remember this game and love that others remember it fondly, and that furthermore, its DNA is still being used in gaming today. Good video, great game. Thanks for sharing your work and passion with us!

I loved Republic Commando, played the heck out of it when I was young. Still go back and play through it every now and then.

uh oh, another banger video that makes me want to play a game ive never heard of until now

It goes beyond the games as well. The Republic Commandos (Imperial Commandos after Order 66) books by Karen Traviss are some of the finest Star Wars stories this side of the Zahn novels. Traviss was a reporter embedded with British troops in the middle east, and uses the comraderie she witnessed between soldiers to flesh out the Commandos relationships with their brothers.

I have a nonverbal learning disorder, which might explain my complete surprise that you even considered the game's story and emotions. I expected this video to focus on advancing theories about equipment masses, recoil values, cyclic rates, etc. When I played the game, I mostly focused on attempting to understand the procedures, equipment, and logistical organization. This video was useful in reminding me that people have different perspectives. I had completely forgotten.

I remember seeing a video on this game *way* back around the late 2000s showing how they brought in actual former special forces as consultants to basically tell them how to animate the squad’s breaching actions. games just don’t get this kind of love anymore

23:22 There is nothing like a game that can have you grow so attached to a character, and then they take them from you. It’s such a powerful moment and I won’t lie. When it happens, it brings me to tears.

I was obsessed with the Commandos when I was a teen. The coolest guys in the clone army along with ARC Troopers. Omega squad and Delta squad were the DUDES. Their armor and gear was the coolest. Loved the game too. I bought it on PlayStation when they finally ported it over

I got a chance to see Raphael Sbarge in a production of the Cherry Orchard by Chekov at the Mark Taper Forum in LA starring Annette Benning and Alfred Molina and during the curtain call, I yelled, "GREAT JOB SCORCH!!!" And I swear he did a double take.

This game needs a remaster with 4 player coop campaign

Plying this game a couple years ago thanks to it being playable ono Xbox, I can say that I fell in love with the squad so fast. The feeling of needing to rely on each other and even that going down isn't the end left me so happy. Honestly, this game has lived in my mind rent free since then, because the enjoyment I got from it has been hard to beat.

Scorch will always be my favorite character in star wars

The most Star “Wars” story told ya know because it holds true to the franchise title Star Wars as in your soldier fighting in a war amongst the stars in a galaxy far far away

all these comments and no one mentions karen travis and her novels? man it made this game so much more meaningful to me as a kid who played this over and over again

Dang how i love a "loveletter to a product" types of videos always so much passion so much love. Great job lad, that was amazing.

This video made me cry almost as much as any time I replay that last mission.

Cyberpunk, Halo, AND Republic Commando? How do you just happen to like everything I like? At this rate, I'm half-expecting your next video to be about Armored Core lmao. Good stuff all around!

If there was ever a game that I want to see get a revived and get a sequel, it this one. Even more than kotor

This game was a crucial piece of my childhood, playing it on the original Xbox as a kid and feeling so immersed in the lore at such a young age before realizing that it would be games like this and the stories that are made through the LucasArts Games of the early 2000’s that would give me the lifelong love and enjoyment of Star Wars.

Watching this after scorch died

I always wanted a sequel called Imperial Commando, where it starts off at order 66 killing Jedi. I feel that this could have been a series and it missed a huge opportunity.

Favorite Essayist, with my favorite Star Wars game? Dreams can come real. But for real, awesome video. If only we could've gotten a sequel.

You gotta read the books bro. Best piece of star wars media imo

Who's here after the Bad Batch conclusion?

I really liked how Sev and Scorch audibly needle each other, but if you pay attention to body language they’re really close. When I was young and not really aware of subtlety, I assumed that these two mostly butted heads based on the Geonosis level, only to see the beginning of the second level have the two do that “bro” hand hand grasp before we all split up. For how opposite the two are, I like how they’re friends who like to poke each other, and it’s a nice way of communicating an insider vs outsider perspective.

I’ve had this game for about two years now from Limited Run with one of the collectors editions. Haven’t played it, but now I really feel like I need to.

It honestly gives a little shiver to see that intro again. Still remember how cool and evolutionary it felt the first time I started it. Sure wish it could get some widescreen HD support...

As a huge RC fan this is definitely the best breakdown video I've ever seen. I especially love the character deep dives and explaining the subversion of character archetypes that may otherwise go unnoticed.

I love how you leave your squad members at the anti aircraft turrets in the reverse order you meet up with them at the start of the game. It’s like poetry. It rhymes. Great videos btw!

I replayed this game before I read the Commando books for the first time and it made those stories feel so much better. I so wish we got a continuation of one or both

All I remember is playing the demo for this on my PC growing up. And it was awesome. I always regret not asking for this game for Christmas or my b-day. This video made it feel like i played it. Thank you :)

I think a lot of companies with huge IP tend to underestimate the idea of playing as a 'random soldier/character' in a popular universe like Star Wars. Sure,being a Jedi is cool, sure a charismatic a.sshole like Han or a cold famous bounty hunter like Fett is attractive, but there is a ton of untapped potential in the unamed groups. Republic Commando,Battlefront 1/2, heck even Squadrons, give a better perspective of being a 'nobody'. Of course, as long as they are written well and not like 'Nerd guy','goofy aah boom boom guy', and 'I am all of me enjoyer'

That fight at the bridge on Kashyyyk kicked my teeth in as a kid. Attempted it for like 2 days before putting the game down for a few months out of frustration 😂 I was like 10 at the time Great video man

I have never clicked the thumbs up button faster just based on the title. Most underated Star Wars game EVER!!

Never wouldve given this game a second look if not for this video, cant wait to try it out some day

This game made me want more stories and movies with the just the troopers. I loved the books that brought such deph to the story behind all the going on of jedis. Maybe one day theyll reach back and continue the story.

This video pointed out so much that went over my like 4 play-throughs of the game in the last 10 years. so much so that you deserve a subscribe. keep on doing the good work Ner vod

So great to see people that still appreciate this game!

For a game that features nothing that is among the first things associated with Star Wars, the story embodies the name of “Star Wars” more than anything that I have seen in the past while from Star Wars. It’s insane when something that bears “Wars” in the name, actually features WAR. This doesn’t mean nothing else was as good as this game, merely that nothing has fulfilled the name of Star Wars better. This along with the Battlefront games, ignoring the controversy’s around them, these Star Wars games embodied “Star wars”. A war that is evidently on a huge or galactic scale. Whether your a cog in the machine, doing commando work behind the lines, or leading an army.

Didn't know about this game until my friend sent your video and now I desperately want to play it myself

Years ago I picked up a cd of this game from a bargain bin, and it quickly became one of my favorite games of all time. It's a really hard game for me to replay due to both me really sucking at fps games, and the story being difficult to relive. It's definitely a play it once and remember it well game for me, but that doesn't take away whatsoever how much an impact this short game had on me. Would love to see a true to heart remake and/or sequel someday, but I've got my doubts on the quality we'd get if it did happen.

Thank you so much for the trip down memory lane man! your videos are always so well put together and I especially loved this one, sharing the same passion for the game!

This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen. Love this game because it was a large part of my childhood. You gave it an analysis that it deserves.

Thank you so much for making this video, it's spot on on everything there is to talk about how amazing this game is

"your tactics confuse and frighten me sir"

Great video, really enjoyed the main idea that you presented for it.

I randomly came across a few of your video essays, and knew I had to subscribe. You do incredible work, and thank you for it. Subscribing for more, and binging your entire catalogue. Shine brightly, and take care.

This is EASILY my favorite star wars game. I go back time and again. Whenever I play Galactic Contention (mod) for SQUAD, any time I get a chance to play a commando I SNATCH it.

Another banger thane! KEEP UP THE AMAZING WORK!!❤❤❤❤

Great video! I came here expecting a review of the book series (which is so good it has actually overshadowed the game in my mind), but instead I got a review of a game which I had forgotten how much I love. This review gave me a refreshed appreciation for the game, and it's made me realise that it's not just the books which are incredible.

Your work is consistently top tier. Common Thane Bishop W

I was so emotionally invested in this game! The end traumatised my child brain. I loved the first assassins creed, because the hidden blade was simular to my commandos meele attac. One of the best games ever made!

"Is it Red-Red-Green, Or Red-Green-Red?" That line has been with me since I first played this game at the age of seven. That line will be with me until my final day on this world.

republic commando for 2005 has incredible graphics. for 2005??? astoundingly beautiful. it doesn't hold up that well, yeah, but i'm happy to see it still looks decent when updated

when star was had a good plot and good characters...

Loooove this game. The ending set up for a great sequel that we never got, and it's a damn shame, tbh. Delta Squad...VODE AN! A note: if you liked Republic Commando, there's some GREAT books of the same name about Omega Squad that really gets into the clone troopers and various special troops.

It was what 10 year old me needed. I felt needed, I felt teamwork chemistry, and I made Boss my personality for a few years haha.

Dude, I LOVED this game! It was my first ego shooter! Great memories!

I remember it well even 20 years later, was a good part of my childhood.

rip scorch

I like that the second level you're on the ship and the Trandoshans baiscally did the same thing you did to the core-ship in the first level.

When DS got introduced into CW, i went nuts! I was so happy to see my bois and hope was rising, we might get a RepCom show. And then they went for Bad Batch. Dont get me wrong, I like them too but...Delta Squad is the greatest piece of art in Legends for me. I felt let down.

You would think there would be more serious ensemble war series like Band of Brothers, especially as that style of combined arms warfare has dominated every serious Western army of the past hundred years. But then, most normal people would never understand that dynamic, much less Hollywood types. Great video, as ever.

The books were amazing too and really brings out Delta squads characters more despite them not being THE main characters.

Not to mention the most bad ass Mandalorian song, Vode'an!

Very cool video, earned you a subscriber.

I just found you, but gotta say, I'll be watching the rest of your videos in quick succession

Love this... the memories of youth will never leave us!

if ever there was a game to remaster this is it

Fun fact this appearance of General Grievous was before Revenge of the Sith. This game came out before Revenge of the Sith it came out March 1st 2005

May KOTOR 3 and Imperial Commando forever live in our hearts

No one will say this but appreciate how advanced the graphics are for a gen 1 Xbox from 2004

A commando never really dies, they are just missing in action