X-Com: Apocalypse

While it was the least attractive of the series in its time, it was definitely the best. I'm not saying the others were bad, but this one had definitely the most depth, and this is still true today with all the remakes and fan based spin-offs out there. While most of these types of games are about saving the world, in this game you focus on one mega city that has been built after almost all the rest of earth has become uninhabitable. This time, you're not only focusing on aliens, you're also occupied with keeping other factions/corporations happy (or not if you don't care). Some corporations get taken over by aliens, and there is no reason not to raid them completely dry, because if you don't they will attack you at some point. The research tree is definitely very interesting and it sticks to normal humanity (except for psy maybe) where other games need things like enhancements and almost wizard like magic (that where I lost interest in the new XCOM2 while I really liked XCOM remake). I was born in the 70's, I saw user interfaces improve over all the years, so I have no problems playing this game, but for those who grew up later, it can be hard to get used to the controls. Try to overcome it, because this game is definitely worth the time. I think I have spent more time in this game than in the sum of all other games (maybe excluding DOOM II). I am running this game in Linux although neither Steam nor GoG supports it for this game. Just download, get the files and run your own Linux native Dosbox after modifying the config a bit for better results). Warning: even if you play really hardcore, save the game regularly and at the start of every mission, but - although it's very rare - the game may hang from time to time. This may be a Dosbox issue because I don't remember it hanging in the 90's.

This game is awesome. My only gripe is it can be a bit clunky compared to modern standards. This game is in desperate need of a quality remake/remaster.

This game is HARD. It's hard to figure out how to play, it's hard to figure out what is even happening, it's hard to even kill some enemies and it's ridden with bullshit deaths (and a death of an agent can mean the potential loss of money, inventory and respect from your fellow organisations). HOWEVER! This game, in my opinion is in the leagues of games like Alpha Centauri, Dungeon Keeper and even the action/strategy classic, Total Annihilation. X-COM Apocalypse is a very divisive game, you either love it or hate it, and for me, I love it. Sure it has it's bullshit moments, but UFO and this are simply the absolute pinnacle of space strategy games. X-COM Apocalypse is kinda like XCOM: UFO meets Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, with the inclusion of separate organisations that are either allied with you, or want to actively kill you, and also the inclusion of being able to pay these said organisations off for favours or safety (however, Apocalypse came out in 1997, AC came out in 1999!). The game, at first may be a bit boring and insanely difficult (prepare to get absolutely DESTROYED INSTANTLY if you try to go into battle all guns blazing), I mean seriously the game is hard even on the lowest difficulty, so feel free to git gud quickly, BUT, do not give up! Keep playing, take it slow and make sure your poor agents have stuff to keep them alive. The best strategy I can give you is to, at first, just KILL KILL KILL, then slowly get into stunning and capturing aliens, instead of trying to capture live aliens immediately. Even still, the game is TOUGH. Like, proper tough. But hell, so was UFO and that game is a masterpiece. Either way, BUY THIS GAME! It's great! Great style, gameplay and music. Also seeing the sign popup to notify you that you've completed a level is absolutely exhilarating. It's like reverse PTSD and makes you feel like you've genuinely accomplished something. The only other games that gave me this kind of feeling is System Shock 2, Fallout 2 and VtMB. BUY!

First, I wanted to correct the description. I've owned this game since I was still in highschool when my father bought it in a 3-pack with UFO Defense and Terror from the Deep. I don't know why they decided to take it upon themselves to change the backstory from what the original creators designed, but the reason for the one major city is because the aliens released a deadly gas, and the humans made this one spot on earth remain habitable. There was nothing in the story about human excess or pretty conflicts. Really, gog, if you're going arbitrarily invent backstory not written by the original authors, then you could at least have the common courtesy to invent something that hasn't been cliched to death, or is at least intelligent. Anyway, about the game, it's pretty good. I enjoy the turn-based style of the xcom series, but unfortunately the brain suckers in this game make that really difficult, especially in the beginning. Their time units are ridiculous. They can be launched to the other side of a large room, hatch, run over to your unit really far away, and suck his brain out all in the same turn. You pretty much have to play real-time so you can actually kill the creature on its way to kill your unit. And the brainsucker is the aliens' main weapon in the beginning, and even after they start using mainly real weapons, they will still have a few brainsuckers freely running around. The style of this game is somewhat different from its predecessors. You do everything here that you did there, but in a smaller area, and the world feels much more dynamic, much more manipulatable and precarious. You have a rudimentary political system now where you can fall out of and into favor with organizations, vastly more easily out of favor of course. Apparently, there is also project underway to add all of the content the creators didn't have time to implement. Sounds really good from what I was reading, and GOG's version here is compatible, as is the disc.

There's something about this game that make it stand out that bit more than others - its not just about base management, troop management and tactical combat. its the little things like the destructible terrain, and the effects thereof - you can go into an office complex to hunt the alien wierdos down, but if you go in with rocket launchers and incendiary rounds, the building owner is not going to look favourably on you (cf Team America!). You can burn the aliens out, or burn the building they're in down to the ground (this kills them too). But you can also harm your own troops with a accidentally thrown explosive grenade that takes out the stairs they're on. There's also nice touches like the civilians that run screaming when your paramilitary troops turn up to the shopping mall. And yes, the aliens (and you) can shoot them. This interaction make a difference. and the difficulty level increases well. just as you think you've got the upper hand, the new aliens or bigger guns turn up. I always found it got better just as I was winning. The tension is there too, your troops are vulnerable, the music starts to beat faster, the noises from the aliens appear and you know you're about to face fire from a force that can easily be bigger and better than you. Occasionally running away is the best tactic. and the aliens will attack you too - your base full of scientists suddenly gets invaded, you have issues getting them to safety. Add limited vehicle combat on the map, and its a winner. I would love to see it remade with better graphics and modern tools, and with all the features the original designers intended to add in (much more diplomacy at least apparently) but its a very good game in itself. Worth trying out if you've never played it.