X-COM: Enemy Unknown Review - GameRevolution

GR: The debris from the rocket explosion continued to spill out of the now open-air train car. Severino had served his purpose before his untimely death, taking a trio of Thin Man enemies from long distance. At this point I didn't care how many humans the aliens had taken, and I didn't care about the four scientists that would join X-COM if I secured victory. It was personal.

Despite all the opportunities 2K Games has had (and acted upon) to turn X-COM into a generic first-person shooter, Enemy Unknown sends a very specific message to fans of the storied strategy series: You can save us. Upon my arrival at the international X-COM base in Europe, I was still wondering if that was possible.

[dbjj12088]

Loving this game right now. Kind of came out of no where for me. Anyone else never played XCOM before?

[paddystan]

Bought it on Steam. Was really interes getting into some turnbased strategy game. And since I got Civlization V with it, why not? :)

I have never played the old XCOM games before, but this game was really fun.

[ACEMANWISE]

I bought the X-COM UFO Defense for the Playstation 1 back in 1994. It's one of those games I still play today and can't get sick of.

This new release is a bit more streamlined but in the trade off the new game feels more natural and less clunky than the original. I hope they release DLC that will deepen the gameplay. For example, add training courses (there's about six available).

I also wish they offer the original music track and incorporate that into the game. Those tracks were scary. Lastly, I wish they offer more options in the options menu (i.e. original sound effects, Hidden movement screen, etc.) that can give the gamer an opportunity to pick and choose between the new features and the old.

[knifefight]

Could be this year's sleeper. I hear a lot about it on game sites but not many of my game-playing friends have any idea what this is.

[ACEMANWISE]

One of my friends on PSN happened to have the game. Last night we played two matches. The game is a blast to play.

He played the aliens while I played humans. First match I got killed as it seems the aliens had a huge advantage with mind control.

The second match I positioned all my soldiers in an alleyway and waited. I left one guy out for bait. Sure enough the aliens spotted him and all went after him which allowed me to move my other soldiers to the opposite end of the ally. My plan was to sneak around the other side and kill em all.

Almost did too as three aliens killed the bait and witnessed one of my soldiers at the other end of the ally. They ran in a group only to meet the rocket launcher I didn't even know I had. BOOOM!

One alien died and the other two still vertical. Two bars each. I take the rest of the squad already on the opposite side of the building (remember the plan to sneak around?) and had them cut through the middle. I was hoping to ambush the two in the alley from behind and end this nightmare. Unfortunately one of my soldiers must have stepped on a cracker cause they heard him comin'.

A nasty firefight ensued and a mind control agent appeared on my flank out of nowhere. Took over a soldier and killed my team. Had it not been for that soldier and the cracker I would have defeated them bastids.

[Chuk5]

I actually thought dishonored was gonna be the sleeper hit.
After playing both, I definitely think that will be xcom. It's far more distinct of a game.
There really isn't anything like it on modern consoles . Lovin it

[Rupee]

Love this game! It gets really intense at times! I'm pretty sure the earth is screwed in my current playthrough.

[Klonopin]

A breath of fresh air, excellent game. So now that XCOM is out, brace yourself for all the XCOM rip-offs that will surely follow (sigh).

[Psychonaughty]

I just lost my whole squad (of five) that have been with me since the beginning of the game (well after the first squad of cos ;), I'm playing it on normal ironman as I have never played x-com before but I still wanted there to be consequences and boy was there! I'm gutted that Jim Carey the crazy Canadian with the purple hair and Argie Bargie the argentinian with the massive moustache are dead :(

[ACEMANWISE]

I really want everyone to at least try this game. It's different than most games and provides a fresh experience for those looking for something more.

I am a bit disappointed to see a near 0 degree response here at N4G. This game has been absent from consoles for 18 years so I don't expect many gamers to recognize it. Still, for those looking for games with quality this is one of those worth trying. Thanks.

[madjedi]

This is a very niche product, you had resident evil 6, dishonoured and borderlands 2 release not even a month ago.

" It's different than most games and provides a fresh experience for those looking for something more." It might be outside of alot of peoples go to genre, i commented about this same scenario on a article last night.

It slips through most gamers attention span, because the big games get more advertising revenue. I have yet to see any xcom commercials, seen dishonoured commercials a couple times.

[Chuk5]

Dude I am with you. I don't play strategy games. I never have. The only thing i had to go on was that it was turnbased, and I figured I loved pokemon once upon a time, so i'll check out the demo. thought it was a good demo, so I got rid of dishonored for it.

11 hours later (got it on friday) and it is just fantastic. It's not just a strategy game, or an rpg, it's also this weird survival horror element and just a brilliant meta game.

It may be my goty.

[madjedi]

Just played the demo and it's fun, the opening mission with a almost total squad wipe was not necessary to me. It kinda leaves a bad impression till the first mission.

Looking forward to it, was surprised it's a turn based squad strategy game, i thought they were making it a fps game. Yeah a high lvl squad member that got one shoted, that is a reload definitely. Only downside it is definitely a time sink game, already have a few of currently playing.