Pixel Loot



Editors' Picks



Most recent



Most liked



XCOM

(micro-review)

Version:

Enemy Within

;

Genre: Turn Based Strategy;

Release date: 11-Oct-2012 ;

Game progression: finished (2014) ;

Difficulty played: Classic/Ironman ;

Overview:

In XCOM: Enemy Unknown, you are put in control of a secret paramilitary organization known as XCOM, and as commander, defend against a terrifying global invasion of aliens. Success hinges on resource management, technology advancements, and perhaps most importantly securing victories with superior combat tactics.

Features:

GLOBAL THREAT:
Interact and negotiate with governments around the world to combat the alien threat.

STRATEGIC BASE OF OPERATIONS:
Build and expand your XCOM headquarters, recruit and develop unique soldiers to take into battle, and research alien technology to expand your weapons and capabilities.

TACTICAL MULTIPLAYER:
Mix and match aliens and soldiers and combine abilities to outsmart and overpower your opponent.

Story:

Threatened by an unknown enemy, the Earth’s governments unite to form an elite paramilitary organization, known as XCOM, to combat this extraterrestrial attack. As the commander of XCOM, you control the global defense team in a battle against a terrifying alien invasion by creating a fully operational base, researching alien technologies, planning combat missions, and controlling soldier movement in battle.

Great reboot of the series. I strongly recommend playing in Ironman mode (no scum saving) to get the right feeling from the game. It also has a great mod called Long War that adds a ton to the game and changes it a lot.

Typically to Firaxis, the game is a bit "gamey" (unnatural mechanics thrown in for the sake of complexity or because they couldn't do it better). For example you have 2 actions in place of the old Action Points system, only one base, and a pretty limited squad (both in number and items). I guess it's pretty hard to make a game balanced and not (too) gamey.

Pros: big improvement(s) over the old ones.

Cons: gamey , only one base, pretty limited squad

Rating: one sticky alien that likes getting prodded.

Article date: 21-Mar-2015

Turn Based Strategy

Tactical

Strategy

Sci-Fi

5 LIKES

Comments

micro-review

XCOM

(micro-review)

Sudden Strike 4

Wasteland 3

Phoenix Point

Scavenger SV-4

Starcom: Nexus

Atom RPG

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age II: Ultimate Edition

NEO Scavenger

Age of Wonders: Planetfall

The Turing Test

Escape Simulator

Pathfinder: Kingmaker

Heroes of Might & Magic V

X-Morph: Defense