Commandos: Origins takes players back to the early days of the secret operations unit, telling the story of a group of elite soldiers who carried out their first daring missions during World War II. Fans of the original trilogy will recognize many familiar elements, but developer Claymore Game Studios has also added several modern features.
How Commandos: Origins Is Different from the Old Games
This new title is essentially a reboot of the beloved Commandos 3: Destination Berlin, released back in 2003 (not counting the 2006 first-person spin-off, Commandos: Strike Force). In this prequel, you’ll take part in stealth missions, assaults, and rescues that played a major role in shaping the course of World War II and building the unit’s legacy.
The game keeps the classic isometric and complex gameplay the series is known for but adds fresh elements like larger maps, dynamic environments, multi-level buildings, and more interactive ways to stay hidden.
How Does Stealth Work in This Game?
You have multiple ways to handle enemies, including direct combat—but shooting can alert enemy patrols. A better strategy is to hide in bushes, study patrol routes, or use objects like radios to distract enemies. Forgetting to hide bodies or leaving tracks behind can easily trigger alarms.
List of Playable Commandos
You start by controlling Jack O’Hara, the series’ main character. His elite squad includes:
- Thomas “The Sapper” Hancock
- Francis T. “The Sniper” Woolridge
- Samuel “The Driver” Brooklyn
- James “The Marine” Blackwood
- René “The Spy” Duchamp
Each commando has a special skill, hinted at by their nickname. For instance, the Spy can wear enemy uniforms to infiltrate enemy zones, while the Driver is a master at handling vehicles.
There will be fourteen missions, each with its own main goal and many optional challenges. Your squad will travel across Europe—from the frozen Eastern Front to rough Western shores and historically accurate locations.
Early Missions and Gameplay Variety
The missions offer different environments and open-ended design, allowing you to choose how to complete your objectives. Whether you prefer sneaking around or going in guns blazing, there are multiple paths and terrain levels to explore. You can climb, hide, and even use vehicles to your advantage.
You’ll face many types of enemies, from heavily armed guards to officers on patrol, hidden snipers, and even engineers and demolition experts. Most missions (except the first) can be played in online or local co-op mode with two players, including split-screen on the same device.
Multiple Ways to Win
Vehicles like the Opel Blitz military truck, Volkswagen cars, and American Jeeps are usable by your squad. The highlight, of course, is the German Panzer tank, well-known to any WWII fan. Special boats are also available for water missions.
You’ll find loot like health kits, ammo, and other items throughout the map. The loot system encourages stealth, allowing you to gather disguises and supplies without raising alarms.
Three Difficulty Levels
- Easy: Enemies react slowly, and commandos have more health.
- Normal: Balanced for players familiar with tactical games.
- Hard: For experienced players—enemies react instantly, and health is limited.
The game features a special “Command Mode”, letting you pause the game to plan actions. You can give orders to squad members separately or all at once. For example, while the Sapper sets a trap, the Green Beret and Marine can take out two guards at the same time.
Deluxe Edition and Release Date
Commandos: Origins will launch on April 9, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S (including Day One access on Game Pass), and PC via Steam. The Standard Edition will cost $49.99. Versions for PS4 and Xbox One will come later. A physical edition is also confirmed for newer consoles and PC.
A Deluxe Edition will release on the same date, offering exclusive content for fans, including:
- Classic character skins from Commandos 2: Men of Courage
- A digital calendar with twelve special artwork pieces
- A digital soundtrack with 15 original tracks
- A 3D-printable model of the Green Beret
The physical Deluxe Edition will be available from May 22.
System Requirements
To run the game on PC, you’ll need at least:
- CPU: Intel i5-4690K or Ryzen 7 2700
- GPU: GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon RX 580
- RAM: 8 GB, Storage: 31 GB
For a smoother experience:
- CPU: Intel i7-9700 or Ryzen 7 3700X
- GPU: GeForce RTX 3060 or Radeon RX 6600 XT
- RAM: 16 GB
The game also supports FSR and DLSS technologies to boost performance depending on your hardware.
