Exciting Battle Scenes, Watered Down Overall Management
Pro:
1) Graphics are very strong for a turn based strategy game and the art is outstanding
2) Base construction concept is a major improvement. The time delays for
excavation, needing an access list for the next level, and bonus for adjoining facilities is genius.
3) The interaction with department heads is well done and meaningful.
4) The satellite concept is genius.
5) The difficulty for attacking the enemy base is substantial as well it should be... however there is a con to this.
Cons:
1) You can't be proactive in retaking control of an area. You are forced to make decisions on which countries to save early on in the game. Once they are gone they are gone, you can't have proactive operations to bring a country back into the fold.
2) The attack on the enemy base should allow multiple squads. I get the concept of a small team for the recovery missions. That makes sense. Small team operation for extraction. But when making an assault on the base, you should be able to bring your whole force to bear.
3) The overall aerial combat is non-existent. That used to be one of the best parts of XCOM Apocalypse and it is simply gone.
4) You seem to just be guided through much more, where XCOM Apocalypse you were a true CEO running an organization... including running proactive missions to bring down Alien influence, or attacking hostile gangs to increase your weapon supply and cash flow.
Summary: Good graphics, good game play, the passion is clear. However, the bigger strategic aspect of overall game control seems to have been surrendered for ease of use... most likely to satisfy the "I want it now" gamer. Worth my money, but a missed opportunity to remake perhaps the best game ever made... strategy was sacrificed for ease of use.