Sorely missed real-time tactics progenitor returns in 2025 with its first entry in almost two decades. Commandos: Origins explores the origins of the elite covert-ops unit as they undertake the first of their daring missions during World War II. There’s plenty here fans of the original trio will recognize but developer Claymore Game Studios have ushered in a handful of modern novelties. This feature outlines fifteen things to know before you execute your plans to purchase.
What is it?
Commandos: Origins is a long-in-the-making revival of the legendary real-time tactics-come-stealth series, this being the first entry since 2003’s Commandos 3: Destination Berlin (ignoring 2006 first-person departure Commandos: Strike Force). In prequel Origins, you’ll undertake covert operations, daring raids, and heroic rescues; seminal missions integral to changing the course of World War II, their significance forging the elite espionage unit’s legacy.
Origins differs from previous Commandos games
The complex, isometric gameplay championed by Commandos games of old is present here, but Origins provides even larger maps, real-time environments with zoom in and perspective rotation capability, multi-storey buildings integrated into the map, and more widespread opportunity to interact with the environment and to utilize the surroundings to stay hidden.
How stealth works
Success in Commandos: Origins is all about tactics. Combining your squad’s abilities to coordinate complex actions and execute in real-time is the game’s bread and butter. Flavour though comes in its stealth mechanics and there’re numerous approaches to consider to best the unit’s Nazi foe. Guns blazing is an option, but loud noises will of course attract attention. Instead, tried and true bush hiding, patrol route study, and utilising environmental objects such as radios to create audible diversions mix with enemy fields of vision; ostensibly, eye-line cones which you can’t enter, with a section farthest from enemy’s eyes where detection is evaded by crawling through. Failing to observe surroundings, not hiding bodies, leaving footprints, these are swift ways to raise alarms too.
Six playable commandos
Poster boy for the series, the ‘Green Beret’ Jack O’Hara is the first soldier you’ll command. Under his leadership, also comprising the elite unit are Thomas ‘The Engineer’ Hancock, Francis T ‘The Sniper’ Woolridge, Samuel ‘The Driver’ Brooklyn, James ‘The Marine’ Blackwood, and Rene ‘The Spy’ Duchamp. Each playable commando shares numerous skills, but their nicknames should clue you in to their specialty. The Spy, for example, can don Nazi uniforms to infiltrate camps, whilst The Driver is, of course, a dab hand at manoeuvring vehicles.
Missions at launch
Commandos: Origins has fourteen missions, each with at least one unique objective but, moreover, numerous objectives to complete. Assignments will take the squad to all corners of the war in Europe, with the harsh inclemency of the Eastern Front, Arctic frozen tundra, rugged Western coastlines, and historically authentic locales our team will operate.
Multiple paths to victory
The levels in Commandos: Origins are diverse environments, stuffed with detail and interactivity. As a result of their design, mission victory is achievable via multiple means. Stealthy versus non-stealthy approaches aside, numerous paths are possible, and elevation is achievable. Hiding, climbing, and even driving vehicles are viable options to completing each level’s objectives.
Enemy types
Throughout each mission in Commandos: Origins you squad will encounter various enemy types. Guards, for instance, are usually stationed watching the approach to locations of high tactical value. Furthermore, guards tend to holster formidable weaponry such as the fearsome German submachine gun the MP40. Unlike guards who won’t abandon their post, officers will float between patrols. Snipers hide in eagle’s nests, ready to kill the squad from afar. Sappers, combat engineers, and regular solders, the latter of whom are more easily lured, round out the enemies O’Hara and his team will encounter.
Vehicles
There are numerous vehicles dotted throughout the environments of Commandos: Origins that can be commandeered by the squad. The standard military truck Opel Blitz can be found in four variants alongside the Volkswagen Kübelwagen and American made Jeep Willys, providing options to transport the unit. More hardcore is the Panzerkampfwagen 3 – or Panzer – an infamous German tank that’ll be well-known to anyone who’s played or watched anything to do with World War II. Mission specific Zodiac boats for aquatic infiltration will also be controllable. Worth pointing out at this juncture as, whilst not vehicles, anti-tank guns like the PAK 38, anti-aircraft guns such as the Flakvierling and Flak 88, and station mounted MG34 machine gun will be controllable too.
Loot
Loot in Commandos: Origins comes in the form of collectibles dropped from slain enemies like first aid kits and ammunition, plus items found out in the wilds. In a system described as modernised by the developer, loot acquired here supports Origins’ stealth rather than promote a guns-blazing approach, with collectibles like enemy uniforms discoverable.
Difficulty levels
There’re three difficulty levels to choose from in Commandos: Origins. Beginner gives players room for tactical error, with slow reacting enemies and increased commando health. Normal is more fitting for those with combat experience, with strategic knowledge and combat skill already at their disposal. Here, enemies will react faster whilst commandos, still able to withstand moderate amounts of damage, aren’t as resilient as they are at beginner difficulty. The third tier – hard – is for veterans. Actions must be planned and executed perfectly as enemies react immediately and commando health is at a premium.
Command Mode
To execute your plans to pinpoint perfection, Commandos: Origins includes a new-to-the-series Command Mode. Entering the mode is as simple as pausing the game before issuing orders to each of your squad. Orders can then be executed individually or together simultaneously. The example given in a demonstration video sees the Engineer lay a trap for a patrolling guard before both the Green Beret and the Marine are instructed to take down two stationary guards.
Multiplayer modes
All missions in Commandos: Origins – the first mission aside – are playable in two player co-op either online or via local split-screen.
Platforms, release date, and price
Commandos: Origins releases April 9th to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S – with day one access via game pass – and PC via Steam. Priced at $49.99, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions are coming later in the year. A retail edition has been confirmed for current-gen consoles and PC, although exact details are yet to be shared.
Deluxe edition
In addition to the standard digital version, Commandos: Origins will also come in a deluxe edition available on the same April 9th date. Included in the deluxe edition are legacy skins which each commando can adorn to reflect their classic appearance in Commandos 2: Men of Courage, a digital calendar with twelve unique motifs from the game, a digital copy of the original 15-track soundtrack, and a unique 3D print template allowing you to print your own 3D Green Beret bust. The deluxe edition will also be available as a physical version on May 22nd.
PC requirements
Minimum specs to run Commandos: Origins on your PC include an i5-4690K or Ryzen 7 2700 processor, GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon RX 580 GPU, and 8GB RAM. Recommended specs demand an i7-9700 or Ryzen 7 3700X processor, GeForce RTX 3060 or Radeon RX 6600 XT GPU, and 16GB RAM. Upscaling via FSR or DLSS is available depending on your PC hardware. 31GB of storage space is required.
