Review by Jon Donnis
Commandos: Origins is a return to the gritty roots of real-time tactics, bringing the iconic World War II franchise back into the spotlight with a mix of stealth, strategy, and high-stakes planning. Developed for Xbox with modern sensibilities in mind, the game serves as a prequel that explores how the legendary squad of elite soldiers came together. Whether you're a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer with a curious mind for tactical challenges, Commandos: Origins offers a surprisingly fresh take on a very specific genre.
The game follows the formation of a six-man commando unit, each with their own specialties: the Green Beret, the Sniper, the Spy, the Engineer, the Marine, and the Driver. Missions span multiple continents, from the frosty plains of the Arctic to the desert heat of North Africa, giving players an impressive variety of settings to work through. The campaign includes 14 main missions with numerous optional objectives, and players are rewarded for careful planning and tactical execution rather than brute force.
Gameplay remains deeply strategic, with a strong emphasis on timing and stealth. The real-time tactics system allows for simultaneous actions using a Command Mode that queues up complex orders for different characters. So when you need different soldiers to act at the same, time, you act out each event for each character, and then when ready you basically press go, and sit back and watch as your orders are carried out simultaneously. Each commando has a unique skillset, and success often hinges on using the right character for the right job. For example, the Spy can disguise himself in enemy uniforms, while the Sniper can eliminate threats from a distance. The game rewards patience and foresight, but punishes mistakes harshly, especially on higher difficulties where enemies are much more responsive.
As you play you will learn that you can use buildings, terrain, shadows, and even footprints to outsmart enemy patrols. At night, enemy vision is reduced, which opens up new stealth opportunities, while multi-story buildings allow for more vertical tactics without breaking immersion. Vehicles, stationary guns, and usable objects like medkits and ammo add extra layers to mission planning.
Visually, the game looks sharp and detailed. The isometric 3D environments are well-crafted, with enough detail to feel immersive without cluttering the screen. Voice acting is solid across the board, and while the story isn't groundbreaking, the character interactions and mission briefings are handled with enough flair to keep the experience engaging. The soundtrack is appropriately moody, helping to set the tone for each covert operation.
That said, the game is not without its flaws. The mission design, while mostly strong, does start to feel repetitive during longer play sessions. Certain mechanics, like saving your game, are unnecessarily awkward. On more than one occasion, I found myself reloading a previous save by mistake, simply due to the poorly designed menu interface. Controls are a bit complicated for what is a console game, sometimes you just need things to be simpler. These small frustrations add up over time and can break the flow of gameplay. For example I am forever forgetting how to see the areas that the enemy are looking in, so I know what to avoid.
Commandos: Origins may not reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't need to. What it does is deliver a solid, enjoyable real-time tactics experience that balances nostalgia with thoughtful modern improvements. For someone who doesn't typically gravitate toward RTS games, I found myself enjoying the slower, more deliberate pace, once I realised that that was the best way to play. The co-op mode is a welcome addition, and the game's many approaches to problem-solving give it solid replay value.
Final Score: 7.5 out of 10
If you're looking for a tactical challenge that rewards brains over brawn, Commandos: Origins is a satisfying throwback that earns its stripes even if it doesn't really bring anything new to the genre.
Out Now on Consoles
