OUR RATING: 8.1 GREAT About our ratings

TANGIBLES: Gameplay: 8 Visuals: 10 Audio: 9 Value: 7 Quality: 8

Why you should buy it: Not Available Why you should rent it: Not Available

UNIQUE RATING: 8.1 SUGGESTION: N/A

The small details and rushed pacing still make for a solid game. While you may be initially put off by the bulky command-suit HUD, you'll easily overlook it when you see bug blood splatter all over your visor, and then watch as the wiper squeegees it away. And the foes just keep coming, one after another, although there are times when you will feel as though you are in the midst of intense action but realize it's happening in the background ' the video game equivalent of a green-screen overlay displaying pasted-on action. On the other hand, the incredible, nail-biting scene in which waves of droids come rushing at you from multiple dispensers is one of the great gaming moments of recent months. You'll be hard-pressed to find a single dull moment, even if some the excitement is in the background rather than right in front of you.

The bug innards wiped from your visor don't provide the only visual highlights. The beautiful engine is chock full of breathtaking particle effects and standout environments. Everything is vibrantly lit and rendered with precision, featuring detailed textures and reflective surfaces lending grit and polish to the busy, dynamic surroundings. Body fluid splatters, limbs fly, and the engine moves more fluidly than you would expect from a game with so much bustling activity. Comrades and adversaries alike are animated well, although the commandos move stiffly from time to time. There is evidence of effortless, artistic craft, and even the mechanic elements feel organically designed, with care and confidence. Even better, loading times are incredibly fast, particularly considering the sumptuous graphics.

That meticulousness also translates into superb sound design. Action-packed combat should sound overwhelming and terrifying, and in this regard, Republic Commando succeeds in spades. The stoically voiced droids chatter, gunfire fills your ears, and traditional Star Wars music and some original tracks lend ambience to the tension. Voice acting is outstanding, and while your partners may be numerically-monikered clones, they exude personality with every line. In fact, there are so many sound effects and voice-overs at any given time that sometimes music is conspicuously absent; we imagine it's so that we can hear the ongoing conversation amongst your chums, although these moments beg for dramatic musical accompaniment.

So pick up a copy: the high points apply to both the PC and Xbox versions of Star Wars Republic Commando. While LucasArts' newest addition to a litany of great games could use a little more emphasis on the 'Star Wars' portion of its title, the squad ethic has been applied solidly to fast-paced action that is sure to appeal to any serious action gamer. If you can overlook the short, 10-hour campaign and a multiplayer component barely worth mentioning, then RC is an easy recommendation.