XCOM: Enemy Unknown

It's like The Sims, but with much shorter life expectancies. [Issue#91, p.66]

It's [a] tough and punishing game, but in the best way possible. Every loss compels you onward in the war and the story. Where most games are frustratingly punishing, XCOM delivers a masterclass in challenge and escalation.

XCOM is something we don't get too often nowadays; a challenging, different, bold game that is not afraid to try new things and also a successful reboot. Yes it has some issues but not nearly any bad enough to stop you playing. And yes, it is hard but that should be commended. No one said saving the world would be easy.

Thankfully the combat controls are simple and intuitive.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a wonderful game, which, despite being based on a near 20-year-old release, feels somehow fresh and stands apart from its rivals. It's deep, engaging, intuitive and inclusive, and is likely to invade consoles and PCs for quite some time.

While I still call myself an XCOM fan and was thrilled to see the property return after so many years, I couldn't commit to XCOM: Enemy Unknown wholeheartedly. Although I appreciate the update for modern audiences, the game comes off as a bit undercooked and stumbles on things which should be airtight. On the other hand, it's still a very welcome addition to a genre that's gone a bit stale-just be prepared for a little probing when dealing with these creatures from another world.

XCOM can be a cruel, vindictive mistress, but she is one that can be tamed. With an investment of time and patience, players can gain access to a true tactical masterpiece, unlike anything we've seen in the past decade.

Despite some camera issues, the remade XCOM: Enemy Unknown is every bit as good as the original and a faithful version that will be played for a long time.

XCOM Enemy Unknown is a fine introduction to the genre of turn based tactical strategy games for the console gamers or the younger ones, and a satisfactory re-introduction to some PC veterans. Any comparison with the glorious past of the series loses its meaning since Firaxis' effort is a really challenging and a marvelous game by itself.

Despite some of the tough love that XCOM: Enemy Unknown dishes out, it's a game that definitely, absolutely should not be missed.

Firaxis has created an excellent update of this classic franchise, producing an addictive and solid strategy game that should be considered as one of the finest releases of 2012.

Don't be fooled by low-fi visuals: XCOM's as strategically sound as Advance Wars. [Dec 2012, p.68]

The cleverest part of XCOM: Enemy Unknown is how it bundles up all of its complexities and interdependencies and presents them in a package that, while not easy, is at least easily digested. It's often overwhelming, but in the best way possible.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is not just the best strategy game this year, it's the best strategy game this generation and possibly the best ever strategy game on consoles.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is challenging, satisfying, and heartbreaking. It's also one of the best strategy games this generation, and potentially of all time. If you're itching for a game that will either last you a long time, or challenge both your mind and your fortitude, this is it.

A rare gem, especially in the console environment: a demanding but highly satisfying game that will fully please every strategy lover. A must buy.

Very simplified re-imagining of a true classic. Now it is scripted, very fluid, very fast tactical turn-based action game, and luckily not a bad one at all! I'm still waiting for a technically modernized carbon copy of original UFO, thank you very much. [Oct 2012]

Whether it's letting China succumb to public panic as you divert resources to cover the American continent, or sending in a rookie to soak up damage on a suicide run so that your veterans don't die, XCOM will give you a scary appreciation of the harsh realities of being a leader in a time of crisis.

For those players who can exercise a little patience and restraint, it's quite simply one of the best games you'll play all year.

Enemy Unknown is more than a worthy successor, and will definitely appease fans of the genre while roping in a few newcomers for sure. If you enjoy this type of game, I cannot recommend it enough. It takes the series, and genre to new levels, and sets an entirely new bar for quality.

On the whole, XCOM will keep fans spellbound with its depth, but it could've used a little more time in the cooker to add that something extra.

Ultimately, though, you're going to be playing XCOM: Enemy Unknown for its unforgiving strategic gameplay. If you can ignore the lame story and the sub-par visuals, there's a lot here to enjoy.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is the best approach in delivering deep strategy to the consoles without dumping down the level of complexity we've seen so far. Literally every step you make in XCOM is linked to a tough decision with direct consequences. If you're even slightly interested in turn based strategy, XCOM is the best thing to spend your money in many years.

Though it's more on the tactical side than straightforward action, Enemy Unknown brings plenty of challenge, along with thoughtful gameplay and more-than-acceptable management options. Developers, take note – this is how you bring a franchise back.

Not just one of the best strategy games of all-time but one of the best video games of any kind – and one that excites your emotions just as much as your brain matter.

Enemy Unknown packs dense amounts of dramatic tension into each turn. And so it's time to eliminate the alien threat, commander. Select a location, build your base…and save humanity.

The absolute best aspect of XCOM is the sense that there's never enough time or resources to do everything that needs to be done.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown brings the memorable turn-based alien invasion classic gracefully into to the modern age, but comes just short of fully reinventing the genre. While tactical, squad-based combat has never felt so effortless and rewarding, the strategy component takes just enough away to make the game as a whole feel like two slightly disjointed halves. One of those halves just so happens to be one of the best and most artfully-designed strategy games in recent memory.

An alien invasion is coming. We are in charge of XCOM, a military organization that will put end to this extraterrestrial assault. XCOM: Enemy Unknown offers a full package tactical turn-based strategy game, with tons of options for single-player which uses a mind-blowing squad customization system, and interesting modes in multiplayer. Old school meets new age.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown will have you swapping horror stories at the watercooler, and loving almost every minute of it.

Sophisticated, unnerving and reliably unforgiving, XCOM: Enemy Unknown isn't just Xbox 360's finest strategy experience - it's also a strategy game which changes how you think about strategy games. Go into it expecting a deadening flow of unlocks and build queues, and you'll get a nasty surprise. Approach the game as you would an odd noise in the basement, and the Earth might just have a fighting chance.

It's a game that should absolutely be played by anyone interested in a more strategic take on the cliched alien invasion story--so long as you're not afraid to lose a fight once or twice.

At the end of the day I just get this sense that XCOM: Enemy Unknown is one of those sleeper hits in the latter half of 2012. The smooth interface, sharp looking visuals, and surprisingly tense tactical turn-based gameplay are simply a blast.