XCOM: Enemy Unknown
About the Game
XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a turn-based tactical strategy game that incorporates role-playing elements and it is a reimagined remake of X-COM: UFO Defense . The game is set in the near future when Earth is invaded by aliens. players is put at the head of the elite multinational military organization XCOM (Extraterrestrial Combat Unit) tasked to defend Earth against the invaders as regularly military actions remain without result. This is done through a series of missions where players commands a small troop.
Story & Setting
There are also often cut-scenes that further an overall story. The campaign can be played in Ironman mode where the game cannot be saved during missions.
Gameplay & Core Systems
Between missions the larger management aspect is tackled through research and development to create new technologies and weapons using captured aliens and technology recovered from the missions. That way, the underground HQ is expanded to have a larger reach with new structures and players is also responsible for the management of finances and monitoring alien activity. Players also need to keep panic under control. Missions are set in small areas usually centered around a specific building. After guiding soldiers and determining a plan of attack, it is possible to switch to a much closer tactical view to decide how to attack.
Standout Features
- Terrains are often fully destructible leading to situations where new cover needs to be sought or the strategy needs to be altered after a part of the environment has been blown up.
- That way both active camouflage and suppressive fire can be used to maneuver around enemies.
- Promotions open up access to special support abilities with additional weapons.
- Soldiers can be fully customized in appearance, abilities (also healing) and loadout.
- Next to regular weapons some aliens such as the Thin Man can poison soldiers from a distance and later on aliens are introduced with psionic abilities.
- Soldiers that return from the missions need time to heal and cannot be assigned to a new missions right away with full health and abilities, so multiple squads need to be managed.
- Rather than completely randomizing everything, maps are selected from a pool of 80 with random enemy placement.
- players can only choose one and that influences the relationship and funding.
Modes & Ways to Play
In one-on-one multiplayer games can be played with a mix of humans and aliens in a single squad, which is not possible in the single-player campaign.
Presentation & Atmosphere
Missions are shown from a 3D isometric-style, floating view and a fog of war shrouds most of the environment until the soldiers uncover it with their line of sight. Solid walls often become invisible while browsing to provide a full view of the environment.
