Star Wars: Republic Commando - explosive new shots

LucasArts today released a slew of new shots of Stars Wars: Republic Commando, the Unreal-powered first-person shooter for PC and Xbox. The latest Star Wars game promises a "dramatic military-style action experience from the point-of-view of an elite squad member of a Republic Special Operations unit".

You'll be sent deep behind enemy lines in what is being called a "brutally realistic" Star Wars combat experience. Although how realistic a game that's based on sci-fi fantasy can be is another question entirely. Still, the squad-based shooter, which is set during the Clone Wars between Episodes II and III, is already sounding like a tempting proposition based on early details.

The 15 levels include new characters along with familiar ones from the movies, including General Grievous. The range of missions includes hostage retrieval, elimination, assault, infiltration, sabotage and reconnaissance, while a 'smart squad' command system is based on squad markers and stances.

Meanwhile, weapons include the DC-17m repeating blaster and it's possible to use the enemy's own weapons against them. Which means you'll be able to get your mitts on the Trandoshan slaver shotgun, Geonosian elite beam along with thermal detonators. Which is all good. Finally, online multiplayer modes include deathmatch, team deathmatch and capture the flag.

Star Wars: Republic Commando is due to be released towards the end of the year for PC and Xbox