With the gaming world's premier expose still some months off, it comes as a relief this morning to read further reports of LucasArts' Star Wars: Republic Commando, ahead of its full debut at the show in May. Whilst much of what we now know is official, there are still some notable gaps in the details available, so please excuse any vagaries - this isn't a full preview yet, sadly.

The first thing we're reliably informed is that the new title will be a "dark first-person shooter", due out on the and later this year and utilising the ubiquitous Unreal engine.

Apparently, Republic Commando sees the player assuming the role of a commander in charge of a small force of clone troopers, undertaking all manner of authentically Star Wars-inspired missions; rescuing hostages, assassinations, assaults, etcetera. The game will be set in the universe coinciding with the period covered by the third instalment in George Lucas' trilogy of prequels, with the game embracing a number of traits from episodes II and III, as well as introducing new characters and plugging any gaps in the story that should crop-up.

Assuming the role of a trooper beneath the famous mask, then, the player will be thrown into various environs, both alien and familiar to fans of the series, from deserts to jungles and cities over the course of fifteen missions, which will see various weapons placed in our hands as the plot thickens.

The Xbox will be benefiting especially from this new title, as Republic Commando will boast exclusive content; which could take the form of downloadable missions or levels, or even a full mode - taking advantage of the support for multiplayer that is already planned, such as deathmatch and capture-the-flag modes, et al.

More on this intriguing prospect as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge