Shock Tactics Review (PC)

A code for Shock Tactics was given to us for coverage purposes

X-Com is the foundation towards many games you might consider as a all time classic. I am referring to the older games like Terror from the Deep, or UFO Defense. Sure we can also note Enemy Unknown (2012) was a true love letter as a revival to the series aside from the dribble called Enforcer… Sorry that game kills my inside. Since then many felt the love and inspiration from this iconic franchise. In Shock Tactics case, it has many elements mostly from Enemy Unknown. The plot in itself is a narrated experience as you play each map in the game. The story goes as followed: “Your team are the trailblazers for the first wave of Free Space Pioneers exploring a newly discovered alien planet. While searching the hostile world for alien technology you lead your team into tactical combat against pirates, alien creatures and the troops of the Imperial Consortium. Set up outposts and dig sites to exploit the secrets that this new world holds, in order stand against the incoming invasion. Everything is out there for the taking, but nothing will come free.”

Gameplay has a really cool idea, of having procedural generated maps, where each map feels fresh and against you. Enemies vary with difficulty, using the landscape at points having some good AI, other times, being dumb as nails and barely fighting back. Your customized troops share the same sort of style from X-Com where you may apply new armor cosmetics. Which to me, if any game borrows this, adds a personally nice touch for most tactical games. Sort of like Warhammer figurine painters, making their own little units. The units then can score some nifty alien artifacts, enhancing their powers. I see a bit of Jagged alliance in the game too, borrowing some unit concepts. The voice acting itself is pretty weak and not its strongest suit. Feeling forced or lacking character. At points during conversation voices bounce all over the place, going quiet, or booming loud that half of my wall explode behind my monitor. Combat itself is basically the same as X-Com, engaging into a tactical movement system, much like the downtime you get when exploring a tiny bit on each map. Basically the same more or less. You then find a struggle with each combat situation when enemies are elevated, or behind some solid cover. The game itself has a harsh RNG system if a objective requires one hundred percent survival mission. It can be favorable if your roll works or you, otherwise, deadly.

In Closing:

Its a half and half in terms of overall enjoyment. The few elements added to the game are clever, but needed some more ironing out. Such as better areas for cover, or better generation in the games code. Its still fresh off of the release table so maybe the developers can push out some enhancements to the games core design, for what could be a second, or third home for X-Com like-game fans. I can say if you love, or like the X-Com games, this would be one to look out for, otherwise it is not the strongest in the genre. It can be fun overall, but hold out for some fine tweaking before making a final decision to buy.

Recommended, if you are off a high of X-Com and want a little change of pace.