This is the classic X-Com game that long time fans have been waiting for, addictive enough to bring in new gamers!
The premise of the game is stopping alien infiltration using the X-Com organization which gets its resources from the world's nations as well as developing its own technology from alien artifacts. As the Commander of X-Com you get to decide just how it all plays out. If you're a 'hands on' person here's where the fun starts.rnrn
Using management simulation you are given a budget that allows you build and improve your base. Items like satellites, power generators, workshops, laboratories, and barracks are all essential in the fight. rnrn
Satellites are dispatched over different countries which keep track of alien activity and provide the springboard into action. They also provide the means of generating more income; nations that are happy with X-Com's response will donate resources (money and scientists/engineers) on a monthly basis, those not so happy may withdraw from the project altogether.rnrn
Your base layout is composed of a 7 x 4 grid that allows you to strategically build your underground compound. You are given some facilities to start the game, but from there building involves a series of checks and balances. In order to dispatch satellites you have to build a Satellite Uplink facility (which initially can only monitor 2 satellites at a time), you may have the money but you also must generate enough power and have enough personnel to run this as well as other facilities. This will require building various power generators that get better as the game progresses, but remember you only have 28 grids to work with. Some building requires excavating adjacent grids which you have to pay for; the further downward you dig the more it cost.rnrn
Developing alien technology requires building Laboratories which conduct research; the more laboratories, the faster the research is finished. Same premise with Workshops which are used to manufacture weapons, armor and vehicles. If you build similar facilities next to each other you are entitled to bonuses which increase the effectiveness of the facility.rnrn
Now that we've explored management simulation it's time for turn based tactics fun. All that preparation leads to alien encounters via either sending out your Interceptor and shooting down their ships or responding to attacks. With your soldiers on the ground it's time to kick alien butt and bring home some goodies for the team. Your troops and gear start out very inexperienced, but as they survive battles and level up, they'll turn into an elite Special Ops team. But until that happens, YOU WILL LOSE SOLDIERS. You get attached to some of them and your heart drops when they die. But the fun is watching them gradually develop, branching off into one of four classes (Assault, Sniper, Heavy and Support) which each have separate bonus perks.rnrn
On the battlefield your troop's movement is regulated to two "actions" per turn unless the first action involves firing a shot. It is important to learn how far your soldier is able to move and then fire since you don't want them left out in the open for the aliens to target. On the battlefield there is plenty of cover in the form of terrain, buildings, vehicles and even alien spacecrafts. The terrain starts off dark but as you move your soldiers around the map their line vision illuminates the board until eventually getting an alien in their sight. Indicators pop up showing how many aliens your soldier can see and target. Moving too far ahead at the wrong time can flush out multiple alien contacts which will greatly decrease the odds of success for the mission. Moving your troops as a team is important. Use the Sniper to sit back as the Assault member advances with a shotgun, with the Heavy right behind him with a light machine gun to mow down any resistance. The aliens get tougher as you go along, but as you and you troops gain experience you'll be able to handle the more difficult missions with confidence.rnrn
There aren't many flaws in this game, but some may not be impressed with the graphics. Personally, for this type of game with most of the emphasis placed on strategy and tactics I can live with the graphics. The one flaw I will mention is the constant camera "clipping" of corners when your soldier is firing on an alien from behind a structure. When your soldier misses the shot you don't know if he missed it because of his aim or if the shot hit the piece of cover he was standing behind. As my guys got better I noticed that the clipping didn't affect their aim if the percentage was high enough, but it is still a distracting feature.rnrn
X-Com Enemy Unknown is a great game! Any lover of turn based strategy will enjoy the hours spent playing this game. Although I haven't finished it yet, the game offers excellent replay in the form of tackling the alien menace with various different strategies. The game creates tense moments when stalking the aliens hoping that they don't pop out and slaughter your whole team. Or that ultimate enjoyable moment when one of your soldiers is injured and on the verge of dying and one of your other soldiers kills the last remaining alien and you get the Mission Accomplished message sending everyone home alive. Enjoy the fun!rnrn
*Did not play the multiplayer version of this game*