Where could a Star Wars Zero Company sequel go next?

Star Wars Zero Company could be constructed upon the traditional foundations of the XCOM-like turn-based techniques style for its key gameplay hooks, however the best way that it expands on the late Clone Wars period and expands it with new characters and foes was a part of what made it so compelling and journey to go on.

We don’t know if Bit Reactor could have the chance to comply with up on their debut title – sadly the majority of the studio was furloughed shortly after release – however we are able to hope and dream concerning the prospects in the event that they do.

SPOILER ALERT: THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR STAR WARS: ZERO COMPANY, INCLUDING MAJOR STORY BEATS AND THE ENDING. IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE ANY SPOILERS AHEAD OF PLAYING THE GAME TURN BACK.  

So, The Republic has fallen, The Empire is rising, Fathom is useless and the Infinite Coil along with her. That is the galaxy Zero Firm finds itself in on the finish of their quest, however nothing is definite for the group’s future. They’re wished by the Imperials as outlaws, completely different members of Zero Firm have unresolved duties they need to full, and there may be the matter of making an attempt to earn credit to maintain everybody paid. There’s loads of scope for a Zero Firm sequel, and the next are just a few musings of my very own on what might be accomplished.

Zero Firm & The Rebel (AKA The Apparent Alternative)

On the finish of Zero Firm, Hawks jokingly remarks they’re do-gooders now. The Rebel hasn’t but actually began on the finish of Zero Firm, but when they have been to skip forward by a decade or so, a sequel might see Hawks and his crew turn out to be a contractor for the Rebel forces, doing its bit to undermine the Empire whereas making credit. Leaping past the nascent Rebel of the Andor sequence additionally opens up the potential of crossing paths with large characters like Luke & Leia, however such a leap would age the crew significantly and should even see some characters not round. Neesh and Kabb are fairly outdated already, and I’m positive many would need to see them within the sequel.

Following this path would additionally really feel a bit protected and presumably boring, regardless of the crew. What makes Zero Firm a great story is that it reveals a small a part of a wider battle, transitioning from the Clone Wars to the rising Empire and the way it impacts individuals indifferent from the centre of energy. Bringing Zero Firm into the age of the peak of the Rebel, whereas an apparent concept, is one which has extra pitfalls than prospects.

Zero Firm: Unfinished Enterprise

Maybe the higher concept is to have a sequel happen not too lengthy after the ending of Zero Firm, coping with the fallout of Fathom’s fall and the Empire’s enlargement, sowing the seeds for the occasions that come later.

The primary avenue to discover is Luco and his struggle for Umbara. The sport might be set throughout a time the place Luco has left Zero Firm to guide an insurgency towards the Empire on Umbara. This might be a focus as the remainder of Zero Firm use their contacts and sources to journey the galaxy, gaining allies and provides to assist the Umbarans take again their planet. It’s a excessive stakes job however retains a focus for the story too, permitting for some artistic freedom for a brand new entrance within the battle. This could additionally put Zero Firm in direct battle with the Empire and any teams which have enterprise driving on the result of the Umbaran battle. There’s additionally scope for stress inside Zero Firm over choices being made with bonds impacted. Whereas many in Zero Firm could be sympathetic to the trigger, there could be battle inside the group as Zero Firm’s personal sources dwindle and profitable alternatives are misplaced as a consequence of backing Luco.

The second possibility is Tel-Rea’s mission to seek out different surviving Jedi. After the occasions of Order 66, Tel-Rea finds herself as a lone Jedi undecided of who continues to be on the market. On this situation, Zero Firm might chase leads across the galaxy as information of rumoured Jedi nonetheless dwelling unfold. It additionally paves the best way for crossing paths with Cal Kestis, who can also be lively in Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi video games concurrently the occasions of Zero Firm.

There’s already a hyperlink in place that ties each Tel and Cal collectively, other than being Jedi. That hyperlink is Trilla Suduri, aka the Second Sister. In Zero Firm, there’s a aspect mission the place Zero Firm need to survive towards her after being lured right into a entice. Trilla can also be the prime antagonist of Jedi Fallen Order. Tel Rea’s path might cross once more with Trilla’s in one other struggle, and it could be from right here that she learns of Cal’s existence placing her on a path to hunt him out, or studying of different survivors like him. On the finish of Zero Firm, Tel mentions she has a listing of potential Jedi survivors and even when Cal shouldn’t be her focus there may be loads of scope for Zero Firm to hold out the search whereas taking over different jobs.

An alternative choice is dealing with off towards parts of the underworld. In the course of the story of Zero Firm, it’s found that Gorga The Hutt had offered out Zero Firm to Fathom and the Infinite Coil, main them right into a entice. Little question, Gorga will probably be utilizing the chaos sowed by the occasions of the broader battle to additional his personal ambitions, and he would seemingly concentrate on Zero Firm nonetheless being lively. Whereas there isn’t any point out of going after Gorga by Zero Firm, it might play out in two methods. First, Runa might insist on doing so contemplating Gorga betrayed her belief particularly as he stored providing her a job with him early within the sport. The choice is that Gorga hires teams to go after Zero Firm or sabotage their jobs, drawing in different parts of the prison underworld together with the Pykes, Crimson Daybreak and different syndicates. It places in a story problem of Zero Firm making an attempt to stability doing good whereas balancing working with and towards the underworld.

Zero Firm, however not

It is a utterly on the market concept, however what if the following Zero Firm was not a Zero Firm sport in any respect? Whereas the period the sport is ready in is ripe for extra exploration of the darker aspect of the galaxy and its hottest interval of strife, there’s no purpose why the gameplay couldn’t be the muse to discover one other period. For instance, the following sport might return to the Excessive Republic period and the fallout of the Nice Hyperspace Catastrophe and the Emergences.

As a substitute of Zero Firm, you possibly can have a small group of Jedi and their allies as they attempt to take care of the completely different disasters of the Emergences which might be destroying civilisations. There’s loads of scope for the event crew to provide you with distinctive Emergences, introducing new methods and planets which might be below menace. Inside these disasters will probably be teams making an attempt to take benefit to make cash and acquire affect, such because the Nihil, immediately going towards the Jedi and the Jedi Order’s personal enlargement.  On the flip aspect, you possibly can be a gaggle very like Zero Firm, made up of characters with completely different political views, from those that help the Jedi and their intention to increase, whereas others are towards Jedi increasing and exerting their affect.

If there may be going to be one other Zero Firm sport there are many choices for Bit Reactor to discover. The studio has confirmed it may possibly put collectively a very good set of characters and a compelling story inside the Star Wars universe, and I hope they are going to have the ability to provide you with extra tales for this franchise in future.