Star Wars Zero Companywas recently announced atStar WarsCelebration Japan. The announcement was met with enthusiasm, as it’s a newStar Warsgame set in one of the most popular eras in the franchise, and is also a tactical strategy game. As mostStar Warsgames recently released have been action-adventures, the change in genre thatStar Wars Zero Companywill bring is a sign thatStar Warsgames are diversifying, and will hopefully offer different experiences in the future.
Star Wars Zero Companyfans will have to wait at least a year for its release, but there is aStar Warsshow that would be perfect to watch to make the wait a little more bearable.Star Wars: The Bad Batchis a sequel show toStar Wars: The Clone Wars, and follows the members of Clone Force 99, a group of defective clones with advantageous mutations who need to make their way through the galaxy in the aftermath of Order 66 and the rise of the Empire.
The Bad Batchwere introduced inThe Clone Warsseason 7, and played a key part in the season’s first arc. Rather than being part of a large unit like the 501st, the Bad Batch is a smallgroup of defective clones with unique skillsets. The group is officially named Clone Force 99, but they call themselves “the Bad Batch,” the term used to describe failed clones.Star Wars Zero Company’s squad is also comprised of outsiders, and even has a clone that thinks differently from the rest.
Clone Force 99 is regarded as outsiders and treated with suspicion by other clones because of their status as “bad batchers,” but also because of their tendency to achieve their missions through unconventional means. The Bad Batch spent their years during the Clone Wars completing the same kinds of missions that arelikely to appear inStar Wars Zero Company.
It’s worthwhile to watch the Bad Batch’s introduction inThe Clone WarsSeason 7, as it includes a lot of backstory for Echo in particular. However, those interested in the group can also skip their arc inThe Clone Warsand instead jump straight intoThe Bad Batchshow.
The Bad Batchhas asimilar premise toStar Wars Zero Company, with the missions being more tactical, and with each member serving a specific purpose on the team thanks to their distinct skill sets. Even during the Clone Wars, the Bad Batch was considered to be something of a rogue unit. Zero Company appears to serve a similar role during the Clone Wars as a group of outcasts who each have their own distinct skills and are deployed on missions that the galaxy doesn’t get to hear about.
While The Bad Batch and Zero Company may not cross paths during the Clone Wars, the two groups have parallel functions, andanyone interested in Zero Companyas a covert group should giveThe Bad Batcha chance. The show ran for three seasons and follows the group during the rise of the Empire era as they learn to adjust to surviving on their own and deciding if they should fight the Empire or retire peacefully.The Bad Batch’s art style is built on the same art style seen inThe Clone Wars, has gorgeous visuals, has great action, and brings in some relevant lore to theStar Warsuniverse.
