Xenonauts

When I first saw this game, which a friend recommended to me because I really love X-COM, I was slightly dubious about purchasing it. There was a GOG sale and the price had come down to something I couldn't refuse. After playing for a few hours it reminded me of X-COM Terror From The Deep (in a good way). Pros (against the current X-COM game) You have the ability to build multiple bases. You're able to build more than one different type of aeroplane to intercept the enemy as well as different troop carriers. If you choose to you can actually control the fights between your aircraft against the alien UFO and instead of only sending one aircraft you can send up to a squadron of 3. Much more research available and more weapons available for manufacture. A lot more alien occurrences and the ability to air strike downed UFOs if you have a troop shortage. Although there isn't many tracks the music fits in nicely with the game. Cons The graphics aren't as polished as the current X-COM game but it's still playable. You're not able to rotate the camera so trying to move someone to a particular part of the map that you can't really see (beside a wall for example) can be a pain. Overall I would recommend this if you're an X-COM fan and/or like turn based strategy games. The management of bases isn't complex at all and the game is far from being linear.

Simply put, compared to the orignal UFO - Enemy unknown (MIcroprose 1994), it does NOT weigh up.. Yes..I know, it's mostly the same on the ground, except: - stuff gets obscured that shouldn't, never a problem with that in the 1994 version.. - LOS is practically nothing, while you CAN shoot further..so not good.. - the right click function oughta be move only..other actions selecteable by GUI icon... (i opened so many doors that oughta be closed, and closed too many that oughta have stayed open..) - the weapon drops are not for keeps ?..wth ?!?..the whole income stuff is goners..,I used to pick up everything I could get my hands on..now for a complete intact UFO..no engines, no navigation, no nada..handfull of alloys ? - the traps you can make in the original are not plausible here..(setting up shop with full squad outside the UFO, the first one to stick his nose out would get blasted..but no go here..) - the base defense layout is almost to cry for...I used to put all the elements with surface access on one side, with only one corridor (bottleneck), usually the elevator itself, so a nice big fat ambush would clean out any incoming attacks..I never needed base defenses (in fact I always welcomed their base assaults with fireworks..heh..) One tiny improvement is the aerial combat system...I like the russian method (carrot and big stick)..works great.. (but still..there's room for improvement there too...and yes..I have suggestions there..) In all, it does NOT compare to the 1994 version.(maybe it'll come here one day I HOPE SO !) BUT !!! If you can't play the old one (which is why bought this one YOU WILL be entertained !!! (and when you played it for some time, maybe when the old one comes, you'll see past the somewhat blockiness, and buy that one too, and subsequently enjoy the UFO experience even more..) Note that I did NOT pay full price..it was on sale..so when on sale, still money well spent..

For fans of the old X-COM games Xenonauts is engaging enough but quite frankly I'm glad I got if for free. Obviously a lot of work has gone into the game's splendid art but that time and expense would have been better spent on the gameplay. The way that angles and cover work is often maddeningly frustrating. When I cannot lob a grenade over a cot-bed something is wrong. When I have a soldier with an accuracy of 75 standing right next to an alien and they still only have a 65% chance of hitting them then something is wrong. When my soldier cannot hit an alien at a distance because something is 100% blocking me but the same alien can shoot my soldier without moving then something is wrong. If you have a mind to play it I would wait for the price to drop to $10 or less. Not worth it at the current price.

+ It has some nice ideas, and has a nostalgic vibe. + inventory system - Extremely repetitive - No tutorial - Feels outdated and non-engaging It feels almost 0 upgrade from the 1990s, when game design improved in the last 30 year. Just look at what the original developer of UFO working on now. (Phoenix Point)

Very solid game. More simple but meaningful and challenging gameplay. It has serious/realistic tone. UI is bit minimalistic but functional. Story/lore adds pleasant flavor. It doesn't have the richest atmosphere/lore but the gameplay definitely stands on its own ground.