X-Com: Enemy Unknown is exactly what you’d have imagined, had a telekinetically implanted the thought into your head, an X-Com game for this generation would be…if you knew what X-Com was, of course. And since its not my job to explain that to you – wikis are cool – I will say, with the little I saw of this turn-based strategy game, X-Com looks to be one of my favorites of 2012.
On the ground, you’re units live and die by the rules X-Com fans love; squad members that you level up throughout the game are gone for good if they fall in battle. The isometric strategy camera is back, with zoom features, along with some bad ass third-person action cameras to liven up the typically mundane strategy combat. Did I mention the user interface is simple, usable, and informative?
When you’re not busy defending the planet from space aliens, you’re improving X-Com’s HQ, and micro-managing the needs of your facility and it’s faculty. Gone is the sim city-esq camera angle we remember from previous games; Enemy Unknown uses a beautiful and entertaining 2.5D view of your HQ, filled with the hustle and bustle of scientists and soldiers alike.
From what I can tell Firaxis is taking good care of the X-Com name. Fans should at least expect a familiar formula as far as gameplay goes, and if we know anything about Firaxis…that gameplay should be pretty damn entertaining.
Release: Fall 2012
Platforms: PC, PS3, 360
[Feel free to comment on the post with questions on my hands-on time]
