X-Com Apocalypse represented the next evolutionary step from the iconic UFO Defense. This was when X-Com wanted to be more of a simulation than just a game for fun. It's something that has been forgotten since Firaxis took over. It's a shame to think what the next title would have looked like if it continued in this direction with a smoother development cycle. Bold and ambitious, Apocalypse remains the best in the franchise.
The critic score is a lie. This game is fantastic, but brutal.
If you go into this now 20 year old game expecting it to be exactly like Skyrim or Oblivion, you're just dumb. Most of these negative reviews are from people who can't pull themselves out of their modern perspective. It's an old game. It has flaws for sure, but it's meant to be as pure of an RPG as possible. The dice roll combat is no different than your average cRPG like Divinity or Baldur's Gate and no one complains there, but because it's TES and later games dropped the dice roll combat, NOW it's a problem retroactively. That's how tabletop RPG's work and that's why it's here. If you're playing these games for deep satisfying combat, you're making a big mistake. TES has NEVER had great combat. That's not the point. It's meant to be as much of a freeform RPG as possible where you have combat, exploration, questing, stealth, alchemy, etc. Not all of these systems will be the most in-depth, but they don't have to to deliver an endlessly replayable experience. People hate how the narrative is never prioritized, again, missing the point. This is meant to be a free roam game. Even when you finish the main quest, the game continues and the world changes. It's an immersive adventure that ends when you want it to end. To explain it to the haters, this game is loved for the incredibly, detailed, immersive, and atmospheric world that few games can match even now. The lore is brilliant and features some of the most complex writing ever from Bethesda. The world in no way revolves around you. You're just a stranger in a strange land. People are so used to being treated as badass heroes without earning it. You gotta earn your reputation here. The game doesn't baby you. You feel the progression and it's rewarding and immensely satisfying. Also, if you can't hit anything, you just suck at the game. Read the manual and learn fatigue management. This game destroys Skyrim. It's people who never played old school D&D that hate it honestly. It's not bad. It's just not for you.
Take away all the technical issues (which are still there btw) and you still have a shallow product. The game tries to do to much and does none of it better than other titles. The shooting, melee, stealth, hacking, driving, role-playing, and open world are all very basic for a game that spent so long in development. By no means is it a bad game, but it's simply decent. Customization is virtually meaningless. Lifepaths have little impact. Dialogue options are incredibly limited. The AI is just not there. Skill trees lack any character and there are no active skills to unlock. It's all passive. And there are still bugs and it runs like crap if you don't have an RTX 3000 card with DLSS on. I can't recommend this to anyone. Very disappointing.
