Why Commandos: Origins Made Me Love and Hate Stealth Games Again

There’s something deeply satisfying about clearing an entire Nazi outpost without raising an alarm. The slow, methodical planning. The tension as you inch your commando into position. The rush of adrenaline when your synchronized takedown goes off without a hitch. Commandos: Origins delivers that same addictive stealth-tactics gameplay the series is known for—but it stumbles out of the gate with baffling technical issues and questionable design choices.

A Messy Deployment

Right from the tutorial, Origins feels… off. British commandos bark orders in German (a bizarre oversight), the Unreal Engine 5 stutters like a nervous recruit, and some classic mechanics—like looting enemy weapons or using handcuffs—are mysteriously absent. Worst of all? You have to manually select your knife before every kill. In a game about split-second timing, this feels like being forced to tie your shoelaces mid-gunfight.

Yet, by the second mission, something clicks. The level design opens up, the commandos’ unique abilities start synergizing, and that old Commandos magic creeps in. It’s a rollercoaster: one moment you’re groaning at janky AI, the next you’re silently cheering as your Green Beret lures a guard into a perfectly timed ambush.

Tactical Stealth at Its Finest

When Origins works, it plays great. The new Command Mode (a time-freezing planning tool) is a revelation, letting you queue up synchronized attacks like a military heist. Need your Sapper to whistle while your Marine harpoons a sentry? Done. The puzzles are brutal but fair—each mission is a Rube Goldberg machine of distractions, patrol routes, and lethal opportunities.

The classic squad returns with polished abilities:

• The Green Beret remains the all-rounder, now with a radio to lure enemies.
• The Sapper’s dynamite is absurdly fun (if occasionally too loud).
• The Driver’s cigarette traps are evil—watching guards investigate a suspicious pack only to explode never gets old.

A War Against Bugs and Odd Choices

Sadly, Origins fights itself as much as the Nazis. Performance is inconsistent (UE5 was a gamble), and the AI alternates between hyper-aware and hilariously blind. The absence of weapon looting hurts—why can’t my Beret grab a fallen MP40 in a pinch? And while the visuals are pretty, the art style sometimes makes it hard to read sightlines.

The biggest con of the game? It lacks the sandbox freedom of Commandos 2. Missions are more linear, with fewer ways to “break” them creatively. Remember stacking crates to climb walls or disguising as an officer? Gone. This is a tighter, more curated experience—for better or worse.

Commandos vs. Mimimi’s Other Games

Comparisons to Desperados 3 and Shadow Gambit are inevitable. Mimimi’s games were technically flawless, with buttery-smooth controls and razor-sharp AI. Origins feels rougher, but it has something Mimimi’s titles lacked: raw, unfiltered Commandos DNA. The tension is higher, the stakes feel real, and the historical setting (warts and all) adds grit.

That said, Origins misses chances to innovate. Mimimi’s games had wild, over-the-top abilities (like Voodoo possession or a gun-toting cat); Origins plays it safe. A bolder approach—like destructible environments or a morale system—could’ve modernized the formula.

TL;DR:
✅ Pros:

• Core stealth-tactics gameplay is excellent.
• Command Mode adds brilliant strategy depth.
• Nails the tense, methodical Commandos vibe.

❌ Cons:

• Technical issues (UE5 struggles, AI quirks).
• Missing fan-favorite mechanics (looting, sandbox freedom).
• Feels too safe—could’ve innovated more.

Who’s It For?

• Hardcore Commandos fans (you’ll forgive its sins).
• Stealth masochists who love trial-and-error.
• Not for players who demand polish over nostalgia.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a Nazi patrol to silently eliminate. Again.