XCOM: Enemy Unknown is the last unicorn of the video game industry. Blockbuster turn-based strategy games simply do not exist anymore and certainly none that are met with the kind of widespread appeal and commercial success of Firaxis’ latest revision of the classic franchise.
Enemy Unknown brought the daunting tension behind every action made both on and off the battlefield, — once the sole province of elite PC-centric armchair generals — to controllers while losing none of the menace. Equally impressive is the way XCOM telegraphs every iota of information, meaning that all every small victory — and crushing defeat — is the player’s responsibility.
As the campaign progresses, the incredible odds against the player begin to shift. That almost imperceptible sense of pacing and progression makes one’s earlier struggles all the more worthwhile. In short, psychic commandoes are incredible.
If you’ve been too afraid of the genre to try XCOM yet (ahem: Dali) we can’t recommend jumping in strongly enough. This is, without question one of the best experiences to come out of 2012.
Just remember…
We will be watching, Commander.
Read our review of XCOM: Enemy Unknown
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