X-COM Alliance Shows Progress

Ever since its beginnings as a turn-based tactical combat game, the X-COM series has continued to branch out. The most recent X-COM games include the 1998 space-combat simulation X-COM: Interceptor and the 1999 play-by-e-mail game X-COM: First Alien Invasion. Rather than return to its roots, the next X-COM game will feature action-packed first-person squad combat reminiscent of squad-combat games like Red Storm's Rainbow Six and Sierra Studios' SWAT 3. X-COM Alliance will use Epic Games' Unreal engine to generate its 3D graphics.

X-COM Alliance will let you and a squad of up to three other computer-controlled troops hunt aliens up close and personal. And while the game seems completely different from the original X-COM, it will in fact retain elements of the original game's management interface: You'll have to train your troops, research alien technology and autopsy reports, and choose from different available missions.

The game promises lifelike animation, an intuitive cursor-driven interface, and onscreen view-windows to let you see the action through your squad mates' eyes. In addition, your squad mates will reportedly have different personalities and special abilities.

Hasbro Interactive is slated to publish X-COM Alliance in mid-November. GameSpot will bring you more details on X-COM Alliance from the E3 convention next month. But in the mean time, check out these new screenshots.