Squadron 42 Returns: New Trailer, Steam Wishlists, and Star-Studded Cast

Remember when Squadron 42 was just a twinkle in Chris Roberts' eye? Well, it's back in the spotlight with a brand-new cinematic trailer, a Steam wishlist page, and a full cast reveal that's packed with Hollywood talent.

Squadron 42 is the single-player spin-off of Star Citizen, the space sim that Cloud Imperium Games has been working on for over a decade. Development on Squadron 42 started back in 2014, and it's been a long road since. Led by Chris Roberts, the creator of Wing Commander, this game is a spiritual successor to that classic series. And just like Wing Commander, it's bringing in a slew of famous faces: Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Ben Mendelsohn, and Henry Cavill, to name a few. But these aren't just cameos—CIG says their performances are woven directly into gameplay, so you'll see them not just in cutscenes but as part of the action.

So what's the story? It's the year 2945, and the United Empire of Earth is on the brink of collapse. Outlaws and hostile aliens are threatening from the darkest reaches of space. You enlist as a rookie in the UEE Navy, and your journey takes you from fresh recruit to the heart of a galactic war. You'll be stationed on a massive capital ship, living and working alongside a dynamic crew, forging relationships, and facing tough choices that shape your path. It's all about earning your place, your rank, and your legacy.

Gameplay-wise, expect a mix of space combat, first-person shooter action, and interactive cinematic sequences. The new trailer shows off plenty of gameplay, including first-person sections with platforming and puzzle solving, ship customization, off-duty activities, a hacking mini-game, and glimpses of narrative choices. Whether you're maneuvering through a space battle, sneaking through an enemy base, or making a split-second decision with your crew, the story unfolds through action, exploration, and cinematic moments.

As for your character, Ian Duncan (known for BBC's Broken News) plays the male player character, while Alix Wilton Regan (Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Assassin's Creed Origins) voices the female player character. The full cast list is a who's who of genre favorites: Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, Mark Strong, John Rhys-Davies, Henry Cavill, Ben Mendelsohn, Liam Cunningham, Andy Serkis, Jack Huston, Rhona Mitra, Eleanor Tomlinson, Sandi Roberts, Harry Treadaway, Danny Huston, Jonathan Bailey, Gillian Anderson, Ian Duncan, Alix Wilton Regan, Damson Idris, and Jane Perry.

Back in August, CIG delayed Squadron 42 to Q2 2027. Chris Roberts explained that launching at the end of 2026 would put it in the "attention buzz saw" of GTA 6, and he didn't want his spiritual successor to Wing Commander to get lost in the shuffle. "Much like the rest of the industry there is no way I want to launch my spiritual successor to Wing Commander, a game that has had 12 years of blood, sweat and tears invested into it... launching into the attention buzz saw of GTA 6," he said. The delay came shortly after a disastrous Star Citizen developer livestream that went off the rails, with bugs and issues plaguing a new update.

Meanwhile, Star Citizen itself has crossed the $1 billion raised mark, and has since raised another $50 million. It's one of the most controversial projects in gaming, with critics calling it a scam and fans defending it as one of the most compelling space sims around. Star Citizen still has no release window.

What do you think of Squadron 42's new trailer? Will you be adding it to your Steam wishlist? Let us know in the comments!