Kalypso Media and Claymore Game Studios have announced the first downloadable content (DLC) for Commandos: Origins, unveiling a new four-mission campaign titled Shadows over Crete. Launching globally on 18 November 2025, the expansion introduces players to one of the Second World War’s most daring post-invasion resistance operations, following the aftermath of the German airborne assault on Crete.
A Return to the Mediterranean Front
Developed by Frankfurt-based Claymore Game Studios, Commandos: Origins – Shadows over Crete builds on the success of the real-time stealth tactics franchise that helped define the genre. The DLC places players in May 1941, immediately after Operation Mercury—the largest airborne invasion in history—where Nazi Germany deployed paratroopers across Crete, plunging the Mediterranean theatre into turmoil.
In the wake of this Allied defeat, the legendary Commandos unit is redeployed behind enemy lines. Their mission: to forge an alliance with the Cretan resistance, led by the formidable Eleni Andris, and launch a campaign of sabotage, espionage, and guerrilla warfare against the occupying forces.
“The Commandos are sent behind enemy lines with a desperate mission: forge an alliance with the fearless Cretan resistance, led by the fierce and loyal Eleni Andris, and ignite a campaign of sabotage, espionage, and guerrilla warfare against the occupying forces,” Kalypso Media said in a statement announcing the release.
Immersive New Campaign and Environments
The Shadows over Crete DLC features four self-contained, fully voiced missions forming a narrative arc distinct from the base game. Players will traverse varied environments—from remote coastal villages and ancient ruins to a sprawling harbour city and a fortified island inspired by Spinalonga.
The expansion also introduces a new enemy type: elite German Paratrooper units. Acting as rapid-response teams, these troops descend dynamically onto the battlefield, forcing players to rethink stealth strategies and adapt on the fly. Their presence adds an additional layer of tactical complexity, demanding precision, patience, and strategic foresight.
This fresh approach to enemy behaviour builds on the series’ heritage of rewarding careful planning and creative execution. As the paratroopers disrupt infiltration routes and tighten patrol networks, players must leverage the Commandos’ unique abilities to remain undetected and accomplish objectives under intense pressure.
Legacy and Strategy
Commandos: Origins serves as both a prequel and a reimagining of the iconic series first developed by Pyro Studios in the late 1990s. Its blend of historical authenticity, meticulous level design, and challenging real-time stealth tactics has cemented the franchise as a cornerstone of the genre.
By setting the DLC during the Battle of Crete, Kalypso and Claymore continue to anchor the narrative in lesser-explored moments of the Second World War, a hallmark of the series’ storytelling approach. The focus on the Cretan resistance offers players not just new tactical opportunities, but also an exploration of a historically significant civilian uprising that shaped Allied operations in the Mediterranean.
Expanding the Franchise
Kalypso Media, headquartered in Bracknell, UK, has long maintained a strategy of revitalising classic PC and console franchises for modern audiences. With Shadows over Crete, the publisher aims to build sustained engagement among both long-time fans and new players drawn to the tactical stealth revival.
The company confirmed that Commandos: Origins – Shadows over Crete will be available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 via major digital storefronts including Steam, the Microsoft Store, Epic Games Store, and PlayStation Store.
Industry analysts note that the continued expansion of the Commandos series reflects the resurgence of historically themed strategy titles in the UK and European markets. With its emphasis on tactical precision and cinematic storytelling, Shadows over Crete is positioned to appeal to both nostalgic fans and a new generation of players interested in historically grounded gameplay experiences.
Looking Ahead
As the Commandos franchise nears its third decade, the release of Shadows over Crete signals Kalypso Media’s commitment to supporting the brand with fresh content and ongoing technical improvements. By blending authentic wartime settings with immersive design, the expansion reinforces the publisher’s broader portfolio strategy of delivering historically inspired games with enduring commercial appeal.
Commandos: Origins – Shadows over Crete launches worldwide on 18 November 2025 for all major platforms. Press assets, screenshots, and additional details are available through the Kalypso Press Server and official Commandos: Origins Press Kit.
“Friendly zombie fanatic. Analyst. Coffee buff. Professional music specialist. Communicator.”
