I was thinking about Republic Commando last night. What’d I’d give to see a Tony Gilroy-level series on this old lore (before 2008 TCW lore and the inhibitor chips retcon); with the focus on the moral grey and complexities of the Jedi leading a slave Clone Army into war. That it would actually be the stern Mandalorian trainers of the clone commandos who would solely be the ones to plan and provide a future, homes, and community for the clones after the war had ended. What an intriguing, layered and elaborate mosaic that would be. Just wishful fan-think, of course.
A fair assessment (and a wish for more similar games and content):
“Somebody deserves credit for making a gritty, Jedi-free Star Wars game without any fruity Force powers or lightsabers.”
^ Some 20 years on and this still holds up and resonates. Whether for games, novels & comics, and TV & film in Star Wars.
I find myself thinking about the Galaxy Far Far Away much more than it deserves. Every day the list of things I like about Star Wars grows shorter, while the things I don’t grows longer. To me, the Republic Commando game and novels, along with the wider 2002-2007 Clone Wars MMP you mention, were amongst the best things to come out of the whole Prequel era shitshow, and the fallout from it since.
Even the thought of a ‘Rebel Commando’ (or OT-era) FPS game, as was briefly planned for a sequel option, is one I’d still love to see happen. Some 30 years on from Dark Forces the game, and we’re still waiting?
And yes, I think you’re onto something with the Dark Theme vs Light Theme. It is easier reading the longer posts or threads on here in the Dark Theme, somehow!