It's like meeting an old friend you haven't seen for 15 years.
He/She is the same person deep down but more (wonderfully) sensible and (sadly) takes less risks now but more refined and (as we all are) more contemporary. He/She also understands that they have to appeal to a wider audience than just you and the crowd you used to hang with. I little bit button down grown-up but still fun to have a beer with. A lot has happened in 15 years and you may not always expect some thing but it's overall a wonderful experience to talk to this person again...because they're still the person you like just 15 years later.
Good:
-Challenging...even on the medium level. (Thank Jebus...)
-Looks good but we all know that's not a sure sign of greatness. rn-Turn based strategy (oh how I missed you) and makes you think without holding a gun to your head.
-It has more of a story and personality than the original...I'm mostly positive about that. Part of me wanted to see the soliders get more personality themselves...maybe I just miss XCOM's less popular but awesomely original roommate Jagged Alliance (the real one...not the whateveritis that got release recently)
-It is very fun and uses the unreal engine so the action shows in quasi-cut scenses once things get moving right.
-Was created for the PC THEN ported to the consoles...and I love the positive of this that it goes to a wider audience.
-Simplified sadly but thankfully not dumbed down. (Dumbed down is Dragon Age 2...so sorry fanbois and grrls...but it stank.)
Bad:
-Holds your hand too much...way too much.
-Kind of a scriped plot at parts.
-They ported it to the consoles so it's a little simplified...that's the downside of having a wider audience...I'll live.
-It feels less...random...than the original...
Ugly:
-If you played the original you'll understand my gripe, You can only have one base, only one away team at a time, and only 4-6 team members (starts as 4 but you can get two bonuses that adds one more each) on an away team. Sorry but the game should allow for subbases and not just interceptor ports.r
Overall, I'd get it but keep in mind I LOVE strategy games and am biased. You're preferences may vary. I'm just glad to see an old friend and a style of game I thought went away come back.