Game Review: XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Nov 14 2012.
views 1517
XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a stunning Turn Based Strategy game where players are tasked with commanding a top secret organisation, XCOM, in a bid to save earth from marauding alien forces.
This is a remake of the original game (released in 1994), and while it obviously features a lot of design improvements, it still retains many of the thrilling classical gameplay elements that made the original franchise so popular.
Gameplay
The gameplay features two basic elements : combat and base management. The combat scenario is somewhat similar to that of Commandos 2 or Army Men, except that in XCOM, there is a turn-based element.
In addition, in XCOM, also tasks players with base management, where players will have to make both tactical and strategic decisions on research, defense, surveillance, production capabilities, etc.
Players will have to select and respond to threats on earth and manage large funding projects in order to keep the entire mission running. Failure to do so may result in some nations panicking and pulling out of the XCOM project, which in turn decreases funding and leaves you in a critical position.
here is also a mini-game where players are tasked with deploying interceptors and destroying UFO's that are detected by the organisation's satellite systems.
The game's alien antagonists, are both cunning and brutal, which forces players to adopt a variety of different tactics to counter the threats. As soon as a threat is detected, players are tasked with selecting squad members to engage the threat.
Players get a chance to command a squad with up to six soldiers. In the process, players must constantly make strategic decisions on the composition, weapons and tactics of the squad.
For instance, heavier weapons and more bulky units are capable of inflicting devastating damage but need to be positioned closer to the enemy. On the other hand, long-ranged units, may not be a very good choice in the face of agile enemy units in close-quarter battles.
When the battle starts, the players will have to make extensive use of cover in order to minimise the chances of getting units killed. It is very important to think ahead because players only get two actions per turn (this can be expanded later in the game).
As the game progresses, units become more experienced and gain access to more advanced weapons, armour, tactics and other upgrades. There is also a lot of customisation options available for all the units of the squad.
One of the coolest features, however, is the fact that soldiers can be killed off permanently, which forces players to be very careful when deploying veteran soldiers in battle. Sometimes it is possible to save a downed soldier if you have another soldier in the area with a medikit.
However, the reality is that losing veterans in the battle could turn the tide of the battle against you.
Interestingly, each offensive action in based on simple probability. Therefore, it all depends on the math. The greater the probability of scoring the hit, the better. However, there will be instances where soldiers will miss shots despite a 85% chance.
However, it is quite satisfying when enemy units fail to make a kill despite overwhelming odds. Each kill or attack also features a brilliant action cam coverage. However, this is also probably the feature that is most prone to bugging out.
Multiplayer
Players can also engage with others online in one-on-one games. In this version, players are not tasked with base management and both sides has equal points to spend on units.
However, the fact that it is difficult to anticipate your opponent's strategy or squad composition, makes this game as thrilling as a single player version. Unfortunately, the number of maps available for the multiplayer version is rather limited.
Verdict
Despite a few bugs, XOCOM provides a fantastic gaming experience that is unlike any other. It is visually stunning and strategically demanding in many different ways. Also, features like perma-death for squad members and resource management issues, force players to constantly make serious decision with regards to the direction of the game.
At the end of the day the objectives are simple: build, battle and blast your way through the alien ranks to save humanity.
Reviewed by Navam Niles
0 Comments