Star Wars Zero Company Actually Made Me Care About The Clone Wars Era

Star Wars Zero Company is a great take on the XCOM-like turn-based tactics game, and as I said in my review, it actually pushes the genre forward with a blend of new ideas and excellent execution. But as laudable as that is, Zero Company actually managed to accomplish something much more daunting: it made me care about the Clone Wars era of Star Wars. I am an old-timer of a Star Wars fan, raised on the original trilogy, and I have distinct memories of watching the prequel films. I enjoyed them, I convinced myself I loved them, but over time the shine of "new Star Wars" faded and I was left with movies that were largely mediocre. I've since settled into a position taken by lots of Star Wars fans, and especially those my age: I give George Lucas credit for having some interesting ideas and a distinct authorial vision for his universe--in stark contrast to the Disney era's cloying emulation and fan-service--but the movies just aren't very good. Clones, especially one squad member, are a major element in Zero Company And to be clear, I have engaged in the expanded universe of prequel-era fiction. I read volumes of Star Wars books that have since passed into Legends canon, and more rec…