DaRmaZat Commandos: Origins, the long-awaited return to the iconic real-time tactics series, doesn’t just revisit history—it drops you into the very moment it was written. Developed by Claymore Game Studios and published by Kalypso Media, the game launched on April 9 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, and is available via Xbox Game Pass. This prequel rewinds the clock to the very formation of the legendary WWII task force, placing players at the genesis of Jack O’Hara—better known as the Green Beret—and his five companions. What begins as a rescue in a dusty Egyptian village under British control quickly evolves into a globe-spanning campaign of resistance and sabotage.
From daring raids to covert operations deep behind enemy lines, the Commandos are sent on missions that no one else would dare attempt. Every assignment feels like a critical turning point in history, as you lead this infamous unit against the growing threat of Nazi occupation. Each Commando comes with a storied past and unique skills that must be expertly combined to survive. Whether it’s silent infiltration, vehicle hijacking, or demolitions in enemy territory, the journey toward becoming a legend starts here.
Stealth and Strategy Sharpened to a Blade’s Edge
The heart of Commandos: Origins beats in its meticulous gameplay, which blends old-school challenge with modern sensibilities. Success relies on patience, planning, and the surgical use of each Commando’s abilities. Jack O’Hara (Green Beret) excels in brute-force melee and climbing; Thomas Hancock (the Sapper) handles explosives and traps; Francis Woolridge (the Sniper) provides deadly overwatch; Samuel Brooklyn (the Driver) takes the wheel and handles heavy machinery; James Blackwood (the Marine) is a master of aquatic infiltration; and Rene Duchamp (the Spy) deceives, disguises, and manipulates.
Commandos: Origins its gameplay mechanics are deeply tactical and demand sharp attention. Crawling through enemy blind spots, using sound decoys to divert patrols, or timing knockouts with split-second coordination all contribute to the high-stakes tension. With the intuitive command system, players can seamlessly switch between characters, chain actions, and even coordinate team maneuvers in Command Mode to pull off synchronized takedowns or complex distractions.
Tactical Freedom with a Few Rough Edges
Environmental interaction is rich and full of possibilities—collapsing walls to crush guards, hiding in vehicles, cutting through barbed wire, or sneaking beneath low-hanging bridges (though the latter requires some manual effort that occasionally disrupts fluidity). Hostile guards vary in behavior, with some patrolling while others stand vigil, requiring different approaches—decoys, grenades, or silent takedowns. Tanks, meanwhile, are a looming threat best avoided unless you’re packing remote explosives.
And while the controls are generally precise and responsive, some UI elements can clash with gameplay. Double-clicking a portrait may unexpectedly trigger movement, and crawling under structures isn’t always recognized unless specifically commanded. Still, these quirks never derail the experience—they just require some tactical patience.
The War, Visualized and Echoed
Visually, Commandos: Origins stays true to its roots while embracing modern detail. Every battlefield is alive with purpose—from the frozen Arctic wastelands to the scorched sands of Africa. Environments aren’t just backdrops; they’re part of the strategy. Players can climb, drive, hide, swim, and sneak through richly varied terrain, with multiple pathways always present to achieve mission objectives. The art style doesn’t push graphical boundaries but succeeds where it matters: readability, immersion, and mood. Units are instantly recognizable, their animations clear and deliberate, helping players track multiple threads in complex scenarios. The UI is functional, albeit a bit cluttered at times, and could benefit from further polish.
Much has already been said online, but the initial performance hiccups—especially during early camera panning—are due to temporary shader compilation and tend to fade as gameplay progresses. Once stabilized, the game runs smoothly, handling large maps and simultaneous actions with ease. A few bugs linger—UI misfires, occasional pathfinding issues, or characters momentarily glitching—but they’re tolerable in the grand scheme. These small missteps feel like growing pains in an otherwise strong modern revival of the series.
From snapping bear traps to the rush of footsteps behind a crumbling wall, Commandos: Origins its audio design is as much a weapon as any grenade or sniper rifle in your arsenal. A whispered radio transmission, a whistle echoing across a base, or the subtle shuffle of a soldier patrolling—these elements all serve gameplay first, helping you read enemy behavior and time their actions. The soundtrack leans toward restrained, tension-building cues that let the world breathe, while voice acting, though not particularly dynamic, remains serviceable and consistent.
Final Thoughts
Commandos: Origins is more than a nostalgic callback—it’s a thoughtful and challenging revival of one of gaming’s most revered tactical series. With fourteen missions set in historically authentic environments, a seamless blend of stealth and action, and co-op support for both online and local split-screen play, the game invites players to rewrite history through careful coordination and expert strategy. Despite a handful of rough edges and UI quirks, the title successfully modernizes the real-time tactics genre without compromising the tension and intelligence that made it iconic. It respects its legacy while opening the door to a new generation of tacticians ready to disappear into the shadows and strike where it hurts most.
For fans of strategic gameplay, historical immersion, and commanding through chaos—this mission is well worth accepting.
Additional Information
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Claymore Game Studios
Publisher: Kalypso Media
Official Website: https://www.commandos-game.com
Relevant links: Commandos: Origins on STEAM
