Xenonauts

 PC
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 196 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 140 out of 196
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 196
  3. Negative: 24 out of 196

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  1. aecsuter
    Jul 28, 2023
    7
    A quantidade de horas que joguei ja diz que gostei do jogo, mas ele possui alguns problemas como gráficos ritmo e interface.

    ---== Gráficos ==-- Os gráficos definitivamente poderiam ser melhores, principalmente nas missões. Tive dificuldade varias vezes em posicionar corretamente os soldados por não ser possível girar a câmera, ou ainda a dificuldade que é visualizar dentro de uma nave    A quantidade de horas que joguei ja diz que gostei do jogo, mas ele possui alguns problemas como gráficos ritmo e interface.

    ---== Gráficos ==--
    Os gráficos definitivamente poderiam ser melhores, principalmente nas missões. Tive dificuldade varias vezes em posicionar corretamente os soldados por não ser possível girar a câmera, ou ainda a dificuldade que é visualizar dentro de uma nave de mais de um andar. Diversas vezes o teto se sobrepõe e você fica tentando ir pra lá e pra cá pra poder enxergar o que esta fazendo.
    Mas com exceção a esse problema os gráficos são ok.
    Senti falta de cutscenes, pois toda a lore é escrita, mas isso é apenas detalhe.

    ---== História ==--
    Não existe nenhum acontecimento ou evento dentro do jogo, toda a história é contada dentro das pesquisas e em nenhum lugar fora disso, logo não preciso dizer que ela é extremamente elaborada e que surpresas e plots ocorrem.
    È a boa e velha invasão alienígena a lá x-com.
    Porém é bom destacar que a parte escrita é muito bem feita e detalhada, portanto não saia pulando ou irá perder uma parte interessante do jogo.

    ---== Gameplay ==--
    Eu me considero um fã de X-com apesar de ter jogado apenas os novos (tenho mais de 700 horas de jogo considerando os 2), então fiquei muito feliz quando conheci esse jogo pois estava sentindo falta de um jogo nessa linha.
    Mas o jogo me surpreendeu, ele tinha muitas mecânicas diferentes que não tinha no x-com, como derrubar as naves inimigas, gerenciar varias bases diferentes e seus estoques, soldados e aviões, entre outras coisas.
    Portanto quem se jogar de cabeça terá muitas horas de diversão.
    Dito isto é importante deixar claro alguns problemas no jogo.
    Eu achei que falta ritmo, em muitos momentos fica monótono exatamente por não acontecer nada, ter uma história ou eventos dentro do jogo. Ele é extremamente linear.
    O que mais me incomodou no jogo foi a interface. Fazer a gestão de 9 bases no fim do jogo pode ser um tormento com tantos menus bagunçados na parte de inventario. Ruim igual são os menus do workshop e fica muito chato ficar procurando toda vez o menu pra dar disassembly em uma core de nave inimiga.
    Espero que eles arrumem isso em próximos jogos.

    ---== Resumo ==--
    È um bom jogo, que possui muitas mecânicas interessantes, mas que poderia ter sido refinado em alguns pontos chave. Acredito que tenha muito potencial para ser um grande jogo no futuro.
    Para quem gosta do gênero vale a pena conferir, pois em promoção ele fica muito barato. Paguei R$9,19.    … Expand
  2. JackPlack
    May 5, 2022
    8
    One of the best X-Com remake, but maybe should upgrade some rules - i dont feel progress except graphics and little too much repeatable.
  3. Foronghy
    Sep 14, 2021
    0
    First I love the concept. But after I bought it... Every 5 second just asked myself Why? Why this or that thing to difficult and why not working that I expect? The original X-COM was a simple concept and simple gameplay why these guy changed it? Everything too complicated everything too difficult in the menus everything too...too much. Don't waste your money don't buy this game.
  4. Dracoblack
    Dec 8, 2020
    8
    A really enjoyable indie game, when I got it was bug free, not encountered even one. The game is like a sequel of the old x-com games, it provides a lot of fun and a great bang for your bucks. It took me 50 hours to finish it, playing without being in a hurry in normal difficulty. It's not perfect and a lot of things can be improved, but for an indie game I think it's very good. I've evnA really enjoyable indie game, when I got it was bug free, not encountered even one. The game is like a sequel of the old x-com games, it provides a lot of fun and a great bang for your bucks. It took me 50 hours to finish it, playing without being in a hurry in normal difficulty. It's not perfect and a lot of things can be improved, but for an indie game I think it's very good. I've evn backed the second on kickstarter, I think the team behind it can get it evn better.… Expand
  5. Slayver
    Oct 27, 2020
    10
    Amazing old school style game definitely the second coming of Xcom, very challenging, frustrating and exciting game with an amazing mod community.
  6. Babutto
    Jul 25, 2020
    8
    Pros.:
    - Successor of X-Com: Ufo Defense.
    - Nice progress in research and development.
    - Good difficulty levels.

    Cons.:
    - Closer to the end the battles are too similar.
    - The developers should inform if you lose one region, there is no turning back.

    So far, it's a great game and a great original X-Com set. For some it may seem out of date, but didn't regret a minute of playing.
  7. LucasMdP
    Jul 24, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bienvenidos fanáticos de X-Com. No esperen la amabilidad de los Enemy Unknown. Este es un juego la vieja usanza. La mejor experiencia, XCom, en la actualidad, la van a encontrar en Phoenix Point. Tanto gráficamente como a nivel jugabilidad.
    Xenonauts, el juego que estoy puntuando. Es un juego que no le interesa que sea un juego. Me explico. No va a facilitar ninguna tarea y muchísimo menos, perdonarte la vida. Se encuentran todos los elementos reconocibles de la saga X-Com.
    Se está desarrollando un Xenonauts 2, el cual, se mantiene con cierto hermetismo, lamentablemente.    … Expand
  8. Alikhan230
    May 16, 2020
    8
    Better than original XCOM. More of Content. Less of an element of randomness.
    8/10
  9. SRKNZ
    Oct 12, 2019
    4
    The obvious comparison for a game like this one is UFO: Enemy Unknown. Regrettably this title is a mediocre facsimile of a much better classic game.

    Key shortcomings lie in the game physics. Even experienced troops make incessant rookie mistakes, shooting other soldiers, aiming with an inexplicable lack of accuracy at close range and being unable to fire over basic obstacles like cars    The obvious comparison for a game like this one is UFO: Enemy Unknown. Regrettably this title is a mediocre facsimile of a much better classic game.

    Key shortcomings lie in the game physics. Even experienced troops make incessant rookie mistakes, shooting other soldiers, aiming with an inexplicable lack of accuracy at close range and being unable to fire over basic obstacles like cars that are not even obstructing them. Grenade handling is not a lot better.

    The other problem is the balancing system which makes is heavily levelled against you. Too heavily in my opinion.

    I completed this game but I found it more frustrating and irritating than I could have said it was enjoyable.    … Expand
  10. Tedious
    Aug 23, 2019
    9
    Make sure you play the community edition as it is a much fuller experience than the base Xenonauts. If you enjoy the game then you can also get your hands on "X-division" which is an enormous (free) mod that more than doubles the scope of the game (and is a serious challenge).

    A reasonable number of the more negative reviews relate to things which have since been improved such as clunky    Make sure you play the community edition as it is a much fuller experience than the base Xenonauts. If you enjoy the game then you can also get your hands on "X-division" which is an enormous (free) mod that more than doubles the scope of the game (and is a serious challenge).

    A reasonable number of the more negative reviews relate to things which have since been improved such as clunky controls, balance and excessive difficulty. That said, this is still a difficult game and if you don't want to continually save scum you'll have to consider every move.    … Expand
  11. Klewer
    Dec 28, 2018
    6
    Average remaketribute to XCOM. Combat is overly tough, even on Normal. Base building is solid but overall you're better off spending your money on new XCOM games.
  12. Mascalzone
    Jul 8, 2017
    8
    What an amazing old style pearl! Xenonauts it's exactly what it is intended to be: a solid and pretty remake of UFO: Enemy Unknow, and you can make it even better thorugh mods.
  13. deskrit
    Feb 7, 2017
    2
    A legitimately bad game masquerading as a decent XCOM remake. Man, I had a review in my head about this game but as I sit here getting ready to write it all down i just find myself drained of energy thinking about this game. Its basically everything you loved about XCOM but distilled down and made tedious, clunky (not that the original XCOM wasnt a bit clunky even in its day)andA legitimately bad game masquerading as a decent XCOM remake. Man, I had a review in my head about this game but as I sit here getting ready to write it all down i just find myself drained of energy thinking about this game. Its basically everything you loved about XCOM but distilled down and made tedious, clunky (not that the original XCOM wasnt a bit clunky even in its day)and artificially difficult. I have heard it described as a puzzle game more than a strategy/tactics game and I feel that is very true. Instead of planning out battles and strategy, you are simply guessing which research is the "right" one or which broken combat mechanic you need to exploit for the next battle.

    But none of that really matters. The ONLY thing that actually exists in this game is the AWFUL, unspeakably bad air-combat minigame. The ENTIRE game is dependent on it. And its awful. Just so bad, unfun, stupid, broken, and repetitive. Note I didnt say hard, because its not. Its dog simple because its so easily manipulated for victories that its pointless. Except its the most important thing, because ALL of your "reputation" with other nations is based on how long and how many UFO's you allow to roam their airspace, and the game is idiotically unforgiving. You let a few get by, and you lose the campaign. But you wont know it for awhile, its only a little while later that you realize your rep dropped so much from those 2 UFO's that you missed that your funding level dropped to the point that you can no longer continue. The nations of earth do not care that you stopped 90 + UFO's in one month, and killed hundreds of alien soldiers on the ground. They only care that you let 2 slip through and a fishing trawler was strafed costing the lives of 2 fishermen. NO MORE FUNDING FOR YOU.

    The air-combat very much encapsulates the entire game: artificial difficulty pretending to be challenge and depth that completely falls apart as soon as you put a modicum of effort into it. All you need to win any air battle is one plane to bait, and other planes to shoot, and thats LITERALLY IT. The types of planes change, but ultimately dont matter. And as mentioned above, the entire game is built around this. You will very quickly learn this and have so much money that it trivializes the game. And..YOU HAVE TO DO THIS OVER AND OVER AND OVER, OFTEN 100+ TIMES A MONTH (the games time measurement). You will have 5 or 6 ufos appear, click intercept, click the planes, click the UFO and do this 6 times. Then press time acceleration and have to fight 6 tedious air battles that all play out EXACTLY the same, and i mean that. EXACTLY. Also, the air battles have Atari graphics, and thats not an exaggeration either.

    The types of aliens you fight on the ground change. You get better weapons, but they are 100% graphical and have 0 effect on combat. You have beautiful artwork on the ground maps, but none of it matters. It is there to obfuscate and create the illusion of depth and tactics. The ground battles are almost exactly like the air battles except the terrain is procedurally generated and the computer cheats profusely to the point that its actually pretty enjoyable to just watch them break line of sight, shoot through walls, move the equivalent of 100- 200 movement points a turn (your soldiers typically have 40-60), dodge multiple 95+% hit chance shots, ignore AOE damage from grenades and rockets, and just generally do everything a game like this should never, ever do.

    I want to go deeper into the ground combat but im getting near to the character limit on this website and im just about out of energy. Just to say, that if you willfully lobotomize your good sense, you can get some challenge out of the ground combat. It looks wonderful, and can be highly amusing, but this involves ignoring the terrible AI and purposefully ignoring the handful of things that break the game.The problem is that if you dont use them, you will just die to the bad fundamental design.

    Amuse yourself for a second here, just trust me.Go to google or whatever search engine. Search xenonauts strategy. Specifically search Terror Mission strategy or Base Assault. Those are 2 of the most difficult mission types. Now, just read what people say on forums. Here, let me help you:

    "Just load up your guys with explosives"
    "Give everyone a rocket launcher"
    "You havent been using rocket launchers and C4?"
    "Didnt you bring enough rockets?"
    "Did you forget to switch out all gear for rockets and C4 on some new soldiers?"
    "Just load your men down with C4 and rockets until the inventory is full, drop all that stuff at your starting point and come back and get more rockets and C4 when your guys run out"
    "Just start shooting rockets into the fog of war when the map starts, if you can see terrain shoot at it."
    "Oh the civillian casualties, yeah dont worry it says you have to save them but the game doesnt track it, just shoot rockets everywhere"

    Thats xenonauts    … Expand
  14. sherbz
    Jul 30, 2016
    7
    This is a pretty decent effort at a turn based squad tactics game. It is highly faithful to the original XCOM barring the alien types. It is also a well polished and deep tactical game. If you liked the original in the 90s, then you should like this.

    There are a few drawbacks however. The first is the lack of variety in the aliens. You basically only have 4 species and they do not    This is a pretty decent effort at a turn based squad tactics game. It is highly faithful to the original XCOM barring the alien types. It is also a well polished and deep tactical game. If you liked the original in the 90s, then you should like this.

    There are a few drawbacks however. The first is the lack of variety in the aliens. You basically only have 4 species and they do not do much to differentiate themselves. This needs to be addressed in the sequel. The second is the sound, which is a bit of a weird criticism to level at a game, but its just bad (IMO). The weapons sound terrible apart from the ballistic weapons, the music could be better, and the aliens also sound a bit weird. I would also like to see more interactivity with the environment.

    For purists this may be better than the new XCOM, but for me XCOM is far superior in almost every single way. that said, this is a decent title that has absorbed hours and hours from me, so for that i would still recommend it as worth a purchase if you have some more spare time to devote to saving the planet.    … Expand
  15. sirocco
    Apr 6, 2016
    1
    I hate games whose developers don't even try to create even the mockery of an artificial intelligence, instead give ridiculous hit bonuses to the enemies.
    I hate developers who base their game on hit chances and have the AI make all the low chance shots, while have NO weakness and an endless supply of unerring troops, while I have to try and keep everyone alive.
    I hate developers who    I hate games whose developers don't even try to create even the mockery of an artificial intelligence, instead give ridiculous hit bonuses to the enemies.
    I hate developers who base their game on hit chances and have the AI make all the low chance shots, while have NO weakness and an endless supply of unerring troops, while I have to try and keep everyone alive.
    I hate developers who claim sometimes **** happens. Life doesn't work like that. Life is based on skill, but this game is not.    … Expand
  16. JamesBondX
    Jan 12, 2016
    10
    Can't recommend this highly enough!

    It's very much like the original XCOM: UFO Defense. They included some improvements to air combat, added more realistic weapons and updated the old graphics with new 2D sprites and nicer textures. I think it looks very good with the current graphics and I like the "cold war" style, which later then get's upgraded with high-tech equipment of course.    Can't recommend this highly enough!

    It's very much like the original XCOM: UFO Defense. They included some improvements to air combat, added more realistic weapons and updated the old graphics with new 2D sprites and nicer textures.

    I think it looks very good with the current graphics and I like the "cold war" style, which later then get's upgraded with high-tech equipment of course.

    It's a great game and I'd really want to see the developers rewarded for creating this, it's all one has ever dreamed    … Expand
  17. Fran_cisco
    Nov 21, 2015
    10
    It's incredible, a true remake.

    Excellent gameplay
    Decent graphics and art
    Gives the same scary/tense/"yeah F** off you alien!!" feelings of the original 'X-COM UFO Unknown'
  18. blazicekj
    Oct 21, 2015
    5
    Xenonauts is a fun game, in many respects I like it better than the new XCOM games as it focuses on what's important a lot more.

    BUT, it's simply put a prototype. Marketing a game for OS X when all you have is a badly done Wine port full of game breaking bugs is not OK. At this point, as far as I can tell, the development is dead. Looking at the forums and all the reported problems for    Xenonauts is a fun game, in many respects I like it better than the new XCOM games as it focuses on what's important a lot more.

    BUT, it's simply put a prototype. Marketing a game for OS X when all you have is a badly done Wine port full of game breaking bugs is not OK. At this point, as far as I can tell, the development is dead. Looking at the forums and all the reported problems for the mac version of the game you can see that the developers response is basically "Yeah, tough luck, sorry bout that". I get that they don't have finances to pursue this further and it would be fine if they only marketed a polished Windows game. If a Windows game doesn't work in Wine, then the user only has himself to blame for buying it. This way it's just a scam.

    All in all, it's probably great if you're on Windows, otherwise stay away from it.    … Expand
  19. riley794
    Jun 20, 2015
    4
    It's like if Xcom: Enemy Unknown but without a story and with 20 year old graphics. Maybe if X:EU wasn't made this game would be worth picking up but all this game made me want to do is reinstall X:EU. It's weird because I love Wasteland 2 because I loved Fallout 1 and 2. However, Fallout 3 went way off into left field which is why I like Wasteland 2 so much. However, this game isIt's like if Xcom: Enemy Unknown but without a story and with 20 year old graphics. Maybe if X:EU wasn't made this game would be worth picking up but all this game made me want to do is reinstall X:EU. It's weird because I love Wasteland 2 because I loved Fallout 1 and 2. However, Fallout 3 went way off into left field which is why I like Wasteland 2 so much. However, this game is just an original XCom ripoff that pales in comparison to X:EU.
    And yes I have been drinking why do you ask?    … Expand
  20. seirak
    Jun 15, 2015
    0
    Don't be cheated. This game looks like classical turn-based strategy game but it's not.
    I strongly recommend you do not play this.
    Aerial combat? You had better let it auto-combat. manually combat is boring, no funny. Ground combat? You will be recognized that Aliens knows all about your troops. Who is weakest, Who is injured and their sight is farther. They can shoot your men at the    Don't be cheated. This game looks like classical turn-based strategy game but it's not.
    I strongly recommend you do not play this.

    Aerial combat? You had better let it auto-combat. manually combat is boring, no funny.
    Ground combat? You will be recognized that Aliens knows all about your troops. Who is weakest, Who is injured and their sight is farther. They can shoot your men at the place where your troops can't shoot or see, so they shoot the wall to damage your soldier behind it. What the hell? Sometimes, their shots ignore obstacles!
    Yes, aiming system of this game is much inferior than JA2, old Xcom series.

    Psionics. This exists for fxxking you. You have no way to defend it, but caesan, praetor use psionic attack without finding or seeing your soldiers. When your turn ends, Psionic spamming begin and your veteran go mad and your troops become shattered. Only bravery is for defeding psionics, but you cannot improve it sufficiently by normal playing.

    Remember this. Save scumming is the only way to clear this game even if you are veteran gamer.

    1. This game designed to fxxk players - aliens know all of you.
    2. Poor aiming system
    3. You have no way to defend Psionic attack. It'll crush you.
    4. It is absolutely inferior than old games like Xcom3 apocalypse, Jagged alliance2

    You wanna play this??? Grants that you have several extra mouses.    … Expand
  21. emaringolo
    May 10, 2015
    9
    This is the best XCOM remake ever made to date. Improved strategy, improved graphics, enhanced gameplay, and the essence of the original XCOM from MicroProse.

    I played XCOM I (Enemy Unknown), XCOM II (Terror from the Deep), and XCOM III, and this one combines the best of each to provide a signature gaming experience. You will get into the mood very quickly. The music is very good,    This is the best XCOM remake ever made to date. Improved strategy, improved graphics, enhanced gameplay, and the essence of the original XCOM from MicroProse.

    I played XCOM I (Enemy Unknown), XCOM II (Terror from the Deep), and XCOM III, and this one combines the best of each to provide a signature gaming experience. You will get into the mood very quickly.

    The music is very good, the scientific research tree is good, and the overall history is good.

    The flip side are repetitive maps and something that was also present in the original XCOM: playing without saving is suicide but doing it after every turn is boring, but an usual practice nonetheless (no one wants to lose their best soldiers).

    I look forward to play a second part of Xenonauts but this time remaking the "Terror from the Deep" experience and scenarios.    … Expand
  22. SigilFey
    Mar 15, 2015
    10
    This is the original 1993 XCOM: UFO Defense (UFO: Enemy Unknown) remade for modern day systems! Being a die-hard XCOM fan, I can assure anyone that has any doubts that we finally have it. Every single mechanic from the original game is here. The title is religiously devoted to the original formula.

    If anything, the developers have IMPROVED on the original. A much better interface.    This is the original 1993 XCOM: UFO Defense (UFO: Enemy Unknown) remade for modern day systems! Being a die-hard XCOM fan, I can assure anyone that has any doubts that we finally have it. Every single mechanic from the original game is here. The title is religiously devoted to the original formula.

    If anything, the developers have IMPROVED on the original. A much better interface. An overall darker, more gritty feel to the universe. The dogfighting minigame is just awesome. Graphics are polished and do well more than simply "get the job done". If you are someone who has ever been curious about why the original game was so successful -- or if you are brand new to the whole XCOM arena -- don't hesitate for a second to pick this up!

    Can't recommend this enough! What an accomplishment!    … Expand
  23. procyon4
    Dec 12, 2014
    7
    As a long time X-COM fan, in fact since the release of the DOS Enemy Unknown, I was looking forward to this remake. What a disappointment! I must say that it looks great and the combat management and base management are true to the original (With certain minor omissions that I consider irrelevant).
    Combat is very though even at normal difficulty setting. Your opponents are faster, more    As a long time X-COM fan, in fact since the release of the DOS Enemy Unknown, I was looking forward to this remake. What a disappointment! I must say that it looks great and the combat management and base management are true to the original (With certain minor omissions that I consider irrelevant).
    Combat is very though even at normal difficulty setting. Your opponents are faster, more accurate and much better equipped than the best of your squad. However, since it's possible to save the game whenever you wish, it evens up the chances as far as I'm concerned. Where it breaks totally for me, it's
    the very short time you have before funding is cut and countries turn against you. It makes the game totally unfair and kills any feeling of accomplishment you may have. Events are happening outside your zone of control and without any possibility for you to intervene. Click on it, double click on it,
    right click on it but you'll never be able to make it a target for your fighters or send a squad to investigate. Nevertheless, you are penalized. This is made even worse because, regardless of where you put your base to start, the AI will automatically move the action outside of your action zone. Again, it's
    possible to try to mitigate this by saving often , reloading and hoping to get a better dice roll but it's a totally useless aggravation that brings nothing to the game. In the end though it's NOT a steam game, no DRM and the price on GoG is very acceptable. So, if you're a X-COM unconditional get it and hope
    for an update to better balance the odds on the world map.    … Expand
  24. ClMick
    Nov 29, 2014
    9
    I couldn't tell you what I prefer as an original XCom fan: The first two games from the ninetees, the recent excellen reboot by Firaxis or this. Xenonauts is definitely made with a lot of love and respect for the original games. The graphics, which seem to be a stumbling point for some, look like a great continuation of the original cheap alien-movie art that was in the original.I couldn't tell you what I prefer as an original XCom fan: The first two games from the ninetees, the recent excellen reboot by Firaxis or this. Xenonauts is definitely made with a lot of love and respect for the original games. The graphics, which seem to be a stumbling point for some, look like a great continuation of the original cheap alien-movie art that was in the original.

    Essentially it's all about the gameplay and that could hardly have been better.    … Expand
  25. iseeall
    Nov 22, 2014
    7
    This remake of XCom is the closest one to the original, yet it still changes some things, and the changes are a mix of good and bad.

    The good: - music is excellent - excellent writing! Also, the descriptions are very logical (e.g. why invasion starts with small UFOs, why laser weapons have similar types like the ballistic ones and many other). - controls are much easier (especially    This remake of XCom is the closest one to the original, yet it still changes some things, and the changes are a mix of good and bad.

    The good:

    - music is excellent
    - excellent writing! Also, the descriptions are very logical (e.g. why invasion starts with small UFOs, why laser weapons have similar types like the ballistic ones and many other).
    - controls are much easier (especially compared to "instant scrolling" you get when playing XCom: UFO Defense, which was a DOS game, on fast modern computers - where you'd have to exit to battlefield map overview to move camera)
    - 2D air combat where you can sometimes win by manually controlling the planes even if the enemy ships were stronger and would win on autoresolve)
    - you can airstrike crash sites for smaller cash reward if your chopper is too far away
    - can see the line your shot will fly along and percentages about what things may block it!
    - shield which is a must for earlier missions.
    - graphics of the xenopedia
    - more types of terrain objects which provide partial cover (which works like it should, e.g. if you are right behind a tree, you will shoot thru it easily while it will block shots of the enemy).
    - can open/close doors without walking thru them

    The so-so things:

    - many small details where streamlined, e.g. inventory management, selling of loot, equipping interceptors, upgrades of weapons. Storage room has unlimited capacity, basic ballistic weapons cost nothing etc. They wanted to free the player from the "tedious micromanagement". Apparently, micromanaging was part of the fun.
    - the Earth is flat. It's maybe easier this way, but the 3D globe of the original with more realistic radar coverage felt better.
    - graphics of the battlefield, of the GUI, the soldiers. It feels like graphics in the 2D client of Ultima Online or something. It's still an improvement over the original, but after 23 years?!
    - almost all tactical maps are mazes, overfilled with things, which looks unrealistic and also makes sniper rifles almost useless - but well, it also helps to make more useful the weapons with shorter range
    - the game keeps the system of time units (action point) and "reflexes"/return shots just like in the original. I know some people like the old XCom system a lot but I much more prefer the JA2 system, for example, where turn-based mode only starts when solders of opposing teams see each other. This makes for much more fluent gameplay, and also a fairer one (cuz in XCom you are punished for moving forward because you always have fewer action points left than camping enemies). Besides, in JA 2 you could do anything during a turn interrupt (e.g. move away) while in XCom your solders would usually do 1 or 2 useless snap shots.
    - just like in the original, randomness of hits/misses in battle, combined with overpowered enemy shots in the beginning of the game results in a feeling that it's too much a game of luck than tactics and at some point you notice that you reload every time your soldier is killed, especially if it's your first playthru and the death was due to a rule/glich/feature you didn't know/expect.

    The bad:

    - most terrain objects now have a lot more hitpoints, so it takes much longer to destroy them, which results in very static battlefields. No more shooting wild with laser rifles or throwing grenades just to clear the view (even Alien grenades don't destroy walls, wtf!). The fact that terrain is now almost indestructible takes away a whole (interesting) piece of gameplay.
    - some interesting weapons missing (grenades with motion sensor? fire grenades/rockets? do you recall that fire actually was a light source in night missions in the original?)
    - night missions are now dull. Aliens can see in the dark, and at the same time you have an endless supply of light flares. Which means now you move even slower and throw endless light flares on every step. This doesn't make the game more interesting. In the original at least it was fun when you ran out or light flares and had to pick up those you had thrown already and throw them again.
    - throwing range of grenades is significantly shorter now, making grenades of very limited use. Oh and now grenades destroy ALL loot and the corpse itself! In the original the grenades would leave the corpse and the loot first, but more grenade explosions would wipe out the corpse first, then the loot.
    - smoke system is a joke, as well as fire system. In the original, smoke would slowly make soldiers unconscious, also there was a lot more smoke from every grenade and every fire. Fire used to spread.
    - aliens don't attack your base (haven't seen it?)
    - AI seems to always know where your soldiers are (so flanking or coming from behind is useless)
    - all soldiers have the same models which makes them feel anonymous
    - no frontal/rear/side armor, just armor
    - ufos always the same (in the original the hull could have holes, even in the roof, depending on the type of rockets you downed it with).    … Expand
  26. PowerGamer
    Nov 16, 2014
    7
    My review is for the last patched official version.
    Not the "Xenonauts Community Edition".
    This game was real fun for a while. It's obviously a variation of the original "X-COM" game which I did play back in the day. Although to me this game is better then last years official X-COM remake, I didn't like that one. If you like strategy and build games you will probably like this    My review is for the last patched official version.
    Not the "Xenonauts Community Edition".

    This game was real fun for a while.
    It's obviously a variation of the original "X-COM" game which I did play back in the day.
    Although to me this game is better then last years official X-COM remake, I didn't like that one.

    If you like strategy and build games you will probably like this game and it will be worth game time.

    It was real fun for a while until I hit a point in the game after several hours of play.
    I restarted several times, but still in the one longest game I played I hit a difficultly level that made it
    hard, or otherwise just too tedious to continue playing.

    I'd say even the original X-COM was blast to play for a while..until doing the same types of battles over and over again got to tedious and then it was time to stop.

    Besides the tedium of slowly stepping out the battles, the game just doesn't scale very well.
    It's leveling - skilling - upgrading - growing up is hammered out as it probably could be.
    You will see if you made mistakes in upgrading where you are running out of money and, or,
    you didn't capture key technology in time then you will be behind and unable to fight the latest UFO craft (the level based on the date?), etc.

    An engrossing blast for a while until you hit the wall of tedium and difficulty..    … Expand
  27. sh4dow
    Sep 24, 2014
    10
    Having just finished this game for the second time (this time on "insane"), I can finally and confidently write this review. Does the game have its flaws? Occasional bugs and a somewhat broken endgame mission? Yes. But compared to the overwhelming rest of the game, it's nothing. It's also nothing because this is the ONLY game (I'm aware of) that delivers an updated UFO experience thatHaving just finished this game for the second time (this time on "insane"), I can finally and confidently write this review. Does the game have its flaws? Occasional bugs and a somewhat broken endgame mission? Yes. But compared to the overwhelming rest of the game, it's nothing. It's also nothing because this is the ONLY game (I'm aware of) that delivers an updated UFO experience that still stays very close to the original. ALL official X-COM sequels (except "Terror from the Deep" of course) are pathetic in comparison. THIS is the game UFO I have been waiting for for about 15 years (played "X-COM 1 & 2" a little late)! I generally have not played something this satisfying in a long while.… Expand
  28. Gnawer
    Sep 14, 2014
    9
    This game is sort of hard to get into, it has a mean learning curve. I would say it's significantly more difficult than either the new XCOM or the original UFO. But once you get used to it, it's actually quite good. Very challenging, but not unfair. AI for various aliens is actually quite amazing: they all have their own "character" when moving on a battlefield. Overall, the game may lackThis game is sort of hard to get into, it has a mean learning curve. I would say it's significantly more difficult than either the new XCOM or the original UFO. But once you get used to it, it's actually quite good. Very challenging, but not unfair. AI for various aliens is actually quite amazing: they all have their own "character" when moving on a battlefield. Overall, the game may lack a certain polish, but it is a must for everyone interested in the genre.… Expand
  29. TheIstrix
    Sep 10, 2014
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was really excited for this, and what a disappointment. Xenonauts, under it's own weight is an dull game and if you spent any time at all in the 90s pulse pounding while wondering where that last Muton is, or pulling your hair out when your best unit gets mind controlled by the Sectoid Commander then this game is going to make you want to put your fist through your screen and scream for a refund.

    First the graphics and sounds are just plain bland. Yes, they're higher resolution than the original X-Com, but they completely lack any sense of style or charm. It's like someone just downloaded a generic pack of game assets. Honestly I'd rather look at the old SVGA pixels than the drab unremarkable screens they give you to play. The ufopedia (or what ever they call their version) was actually done really nicely. They should have got that guy to do the whole game. You get a little poof on an explosion, and odd sounds on gun shots. These fall way below what you got in the 90s, let alone the new remakes.

    Second, the gameplay is an atrocity. I lobbed a grenade clear a thin brick wall (luckily it was within the pathetic throw radius) and when it exploded.. no damage to the wall. What? It was supposed to be one of those advanced alien explosive grenades! Half the time your units can hardly move and fire their weapon in the same turn. I get challenge, but come on. The air combat was interesting maybe three times, but you'll find yourself just auto-completing past that. The interface just doesn't feel comfortable I got the feeling quite often of unease from not being able to perform simple commands.

    Lastly nothing in the game made me remotely interested in my soldiers. In the original and the Enemy Unknown remake they managed to get you interested in their survival, to care about your team. I can't think of how many times I thought "nice shot so-and-so" or "noooo! not the sarge!". In Xenonauts they just failed to capture that element that makes you care if your people live or die, and from there any desire to keep playing.

    They did manage a few interesting additions. The air combat could be interesting with some tweeks, and I thought it was kind of cool to get notified that the locals brought down a ufo. It was interesting to touch down on a farm crash site and see Farmer John out there with his shotgun gunning down the buggers. Ultimately though, I agree with a few other reviews that this just felt like an early alpha. Slap some paint on this, tune up the engine, and fix the speakers and you might just have a playable game to market to fanboys and new audiences alike. As it stands now, however, charging money for this game is a travesty.    … Expand
  30. humanbait76
    Sep 9, 2014
    0
    I haven't written a review on Metacritic before, but I signed up as I feel it necessary to warn gamers that Xenonauts is perhaps one of the worst games I've played this year. As someone who was in college when the original XCOM was released back in the 1990's and who can remember playing it on 486's in my dorm room, I can tell you that this game isn't even a close approximation of theI haven't written a review on Metacritic before, but I signed up as I feel it necessary to warn gamers that Xenonauts is perhaps one of the worst games I've played this year. As someone who was in college when the original XCOM was released back in the 1990's and who can remember playing it on 486's in my dorm room, I can tell you that this game isn't even a close approximation of the original XCOM or any of its successors. The graphics are amateur, the interface is clunky and unappealing, and the gameplay is horrid. If you are looking for a game of this genre to play, go purchase the original XCOM on steam or get jagged alliance 2. Those are perhaps the 2 treasures that defined this genre and Xenonauts isn't worth your time or money.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best PC Game of 2011
82
#82 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
51
#51 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Jan 21, 2015
    84
    If you wish to dethrone the Eternal Emperor of computer gaming, you can't have gaping holes in your armor, and thanks to the repeating and completely flat terrains as well as some balancing issues, that's precisely what Xenonauts has. However, in many other ways this is the best UFO-game thus far and thanks to modability and an active community, we just might be witnessing the birth of a legend. [Jan 2015]
  2. CD-Action
    Oct 22, 2014
    70
    A worthy tribute to UFO: Enemy Unknown/X-COM: UFO Defense, but far from perfect. If you feel that your inner hard core gamer is not dead yet, give it a try and have fun. [Sept 2014, p.64]
  3. Riot Pixels
    Aug 27, 2014
    70
    Retro looks can only get you so far, and in the case of Xenonauts, the longer you play it, the more annoying things you discover. A primitive leveling up system (there are no classes or special abilities), contrived combat mechanics, a moth-eaten 2D engine that doesn’t know how to rotate or zoom. In the end, the strategic part becomes much more interesting than tactical battles.
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