Phoenix Point: Complete Edition

Did you play xcom and think that it would be much better if it was: slower, much less fun and had terrible music? Because that's what's on offer. The game is a slow, dreary and boring slog. Cannot recommend to anyone. Enemies respawn endlessly and don't grant exp on killing them (the team gets a fixed amount for completing the mission) so combat just feels like busy work and when the core gameplay loop feels like busy work you've made a bad game. I think the intent was to make the player feel pressured and on the backfoot instead you just feel like you're box checking. It got a little more fun after I swapped the music for something with some energy but it's still too dull to enjoy. This game is worse than xcom apocalypse, it's worse than xcom interceptor, it's worse than ufo aftermath and about on a par with ufo aftershock.

Reading up on the history of X-COM: UFO Defense, I came to realise that the greatest games of all time are very rarely the realisation of just *one* man. Many times, help and input came from others. Julian Gollop wasn't the only one who made UFO Defense what it was. There was valuable input from his brother, the top guys at Microprose, as well as the talents of many others on the team. They collectively made UFO Defense the unbelievably deep, engaging and immersive game it still is today. Lightning in a bottle -- that rare exception in the medium where people of exceptional talent were united and their vision unified into a cohesive whole. A true masterpiece. Which brings me to this modern-day issue where old devs long past their prime are given money by faithful fans, based on the glories of their past work. But the old dev ain't what he used to be... and he's got other motives now. So, we end up with games like Mighty No. 9, Shenmue III, Yooka-Laylee, R-Type Final 2, Left Alive, et al. All spearheaded by once well-respected visionaries. And where's their reputations now? Unfortunately, I have to add Phoenix Point to that list. This game is a terrible disappointment coming fresh off playing X-COM: UFO Defense. It isn't unplayable, but so many things you'd expect to have control over in this game, you don't. It feels like a slog to get through, with some missions infinitely spawning enemies, lending to the game's already glacial pace. Multiple releases of paid DLC, some of which made the game worse. Main characters and story are souless clichés. Adding to that several selfish executive decisions, like the whole Epic Games Store exclusivity backstab, as well as the disgusting EULA agreement (you *must* accept) that is invasive to say the least, even for a supposedly DRM-free game. And trying this game for a second time with the new TFTV mod didn't even give it the complete overhaul I was hoping for. In short, Gollop has sullied his reputation with Phoenix Point.

Just as good as XCOM

I own this on Epic store (didn´t know this is on gog). I played both dos games (Ufo 1 + Ufo 2 when they came out) for a very long time, they are still among my favorites and nobody ever managed to get near the cool playstyle with their clones. I like the tactical battles, they work for me. What I don´t like are the scripted story battles. But that is a general thing : I never play games with stories and scripted stuff if I can avoid it, I have become more of a open-world kind of player over the years. I hate to read through stories, have chat with npc´s and tutorials. The battles in general are a bit repetitive and the game lacks variety. A cool thing is the destructible armour pieces and that you can destruct you enemies piece by piece. If it where forme they could remove all the story elements and make it pure procedural generated without any scripted stuff, it really would make a better game out of it without repearting the lame story after a restart. The game has the usual science elements where you can research new items wich then change the battles. So it is still a ufo - like game with the usual gameply mechanics. Nothing wild and exciting but not bad either. If you like this kind of games, go grab it. It is never a mistake, just keep your expectations in check and you will have some fun.

When i first hear about developer of original XCOM going ballistic with own BIG SIZE game as answer to modern titles i was mildly excited (no hype, this rotten industry don't deserve my hype) when i later found out that Author after crowd founding decided to go EPIC game exclusive i was naturally impressed how Mr Answer to AAA industry decided to act just like them when i discovered that Epic Exclusive Launch was a disaster i could not believe it how is that even possible...yeah i told my friends "ï told you so" and was asshole about it i decided that the game is trash not worth my time in current form and i will wait at least 1 year When 1st DLC was announced (most likely as response to low content release criticism as paid update naturally...) i decided it will not be last and give the game ANOTHER YEAR of waiting i rediscovered my own Joy of XCOM with EW beat the shit out of XCOM 2 and liked the game a lot, but EW is my XCOM once i did a lot in EW and since Chimera Squad is a thing, Xenonauts kill my people and future of "i wanna shot allens with my customizable army of humans" is in danger NOW IS THE TIME 1st game open with torturial that teach you how to play XCOM EW and once its over you are thrown on map with like 6 new things you have to do that ware never explained 2020 game with global virus to beat in tactical xcom style xD, you could have it all setting like this when all people stay home would be Automatic win YOU FIGHT CRABS... How do you make a boss? fight BIG CRAB! you manage reputation with 3 different fanatics all restrict you from fun tech... so if you wanna have fun modification you must ally this guys... THIS GAME IS NOT THE ANSWER FOR XCOM THIS IS THE WORSE COPY OF XCOM with crabs instead of aliens and stupid fanatics instead of Political map of global panic/resistance ring from XCOM games (both ware better) GOOD thing: Free-aim mode - allow you to make FPS shot this mechanic is great and i would like it in my XCOM EW/2 maybe in next