I just wrapped up Commandos: Origins by Claymore Game Studios and Kalypso Media. The game revives classic real-time tactics with fresh environments. According to one Steam user, it “keeps most classic tactical mechanics and tones,” and I agree. Beyond that, every mission hides multiple collectible intel files. Although the inventory feels stripped down, Claymore could eventually patch in deeper item systems. As a completionist, I appreciate the 10+ missions that span Arctic ice, African deserts, and European coasts. Interestingly, Claymore Game Studios began in Munich in 2017, and this marks their first major release.
From the start, I found myself exploring open fields and hidden caves. The map design feels vast yet carefully detailed. In fact, one reviewer praised the game for its varied mission approaches. I also enjoyed sneaking, climbing, or even driving a jeep to outflank enemies. Moreover, Kalypso Media’s history with Tropico shows they understand sandbox fun. Although the lack of underwater sections felt odd, the new routes each playthrough kept me engaged.
When I tested tougher scenarios, some bugs surfaced—units occasionally glitched near traps or walls. Players have also reported vehicles getting stuck and odd movement animations. Consequently, Claymore will need patches to smooth out the rough edges. On the brighter side, character abilities feel well-balanced. The sniper’s range and the sapper’s explosives perform exactly as expected, which demonstrates respect for the series’ 1998 roots from Pyro Studios.
Mission 4 took me 22 minutes on my first run, leaving plenty of room for improvement. I did miss a fast-forward option to accelerate practice runs; however, coordinating simultaneous actions forced me to rethink route planning. Additionally, the two-player co-op mode introduces fresh team strategies. Looking ahead, I’m excited to see how modders will add more speedrun-friendly features.
Managing six heroes with distinct skills creates engaging gameplay. For example, the Green Beret can climb walls, while the Spy can disguise and slip by guards. Missions reward both nonlethal and lethal approaches equally, which enhances replayability. Because of that, I logged every guard patrol, a level of depth that reminded me of Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun.
Controls feel intuitive as well. Right-click moves characters, middle-mouse hot swaps units, and preset traps add layers of creativity. Even though the missing inventory slot for random loot felt limiting, players can still set mines, block doors, and trigger clever ambushes. Mission 7’s supply depot showcases this creativity at its best.
The modern UI deserves credit too. Command queuing and synchronized attacks align with real-time tactics at their peak. While the game lacks a speed-up function, its precision reminded me of Desperados III.
For speedrunners, co-op adds an extra layer of chaos. Two players can split roles—one distracting while the other sneaks past—which doubles both the fun and the potential for optimized routes.
The intro scene throws players into a secret meeting of Jack O’Hara and his team. Although one user lamented the missing manual art, cutscenes still feel polished. Developer interviews reveal their goal of tapping into early WWII origins. Furthermore, each commando’s backstory unfolds through dossiers scattered across levels.
I felt connected to Thomas “the Sapper” Hancock when he defuses bombs under fire. The story pace hits a steady rhythm—one mission plot twist follows another. I read an official dev blog where they said they aimed for authenticity by studying real Green Beret archives.
Dialogue feels serviceable but not Oscar-worthy. It floats the plot without heavy emotional beats. Still, the world-building won me over—every bunker and crypt feels lived in.
I speed-skim story beats but I still paused to read every audio log. That detail gives replay runs fresh context.
The Unreal Engine 4 base pumps crisp textures and dynamic shadows. I spotted lens flare on desert sand and ice reflections in the Arctic camp. The art team said they drew inspiration from 1940s war photography.
I saw performance dips on high foliage areas, just like some users reported stutters. Turning grass density down fixed it. On my GTX 1060, I rock 60 FPS at 1080p.
The character models look sharp. Animations for crawling, climbing, and diving feel weighty. However, no full swim animations feel off. Maybe they’ll add more water work in a patch.
I saw visual glitches inside multi-floor houses. Characters sometimes clip through walls. It didn’t kill my speedrun, but I know runners will note it in leaderboards.
The soundtrack mixes orchestral strings with tense percussion. Track “Midnight Raid” sticks in my head. Sound cues help me know when guards turn corners. A few echoes in caves feel realistic.
Footstep volume changes based on surface. I slipped past two sentries when they heard my boots on gravel. The dynamic audio guides you.
Voice acting makes each commando distinct. The Spy’s French accent feels spot on. The marine’s gruff tone adds character.
I use audio beats to time headshots in co-op runs. Good sound design equals better splits.
Each commando has a dossier with wartime exploits. You unlock profiles as you find hidden files. That feeds my completion drive.
The team feels diverse. You get an American Green Beret, a British sniper, a French spy, and more. It respects inclusion.
I’d like deeper personal arcs, but I appreciate how each skill ties to backstory.
I gauge each commando’s move speed for routing my runs. That informs my choreography.
Missions range from stealth only to full assault. I loved the optional bonus objectives. They test your mastery.
Difficulty spikes hit late game when enemy numbers climb. I scraped through with some reloads.
The game offers no easy mode yet. I want more accessibility options for new players.
Speedrunners will love timed bonus challenges. I hope the devs soon add official speedrun leaderboards.
Over 50 optional objectives and achievements invite multiple runs. I aim for 100 percent on every map.
Different routes keep missions fresh. I tried silent-only runs on three levels.
Co-op adds replay value. Two-player stealth puzzles feel new each time.
I already found four skips to shave off seconds. I plan sub-20-minute runs soon.
Commandos: Origins revives a classic series with authentic WWII tactics. Claymore and Kalypso deserve credit for scope. I want more mod tools.
The game stands out in its genre with open mission design and solid sandbox feel. I look forward to DLC.
Despite some bugs and missing features, I recommend it to hardcore tacticians. It honors the original spirit from 1998.
It gives speedrunners new puzzles in coop and solo. I can’t wait to optimize every move.
Looking for games like Desperados III? Fans of real-time tactics and stealth strategy can dive into Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun for masterful level design, or explore large-scale WWII battles in Company of Heroes 2. Classic strategy lovers will enjoy Jagged Alliance 2 with its RPG depth, while Invisible, Inc. offers a modern twist with procedural maps and permadeath. Each title delivers unique tactical gameplay, making them perfect alternatives for strategy and stealth enthusiasts.
