XCOM: Enemy Within
Developer: Firaxis
Publisher: 2K games
Release Date: 15/11/2013
Format: PC, PS3, Xbox360
Very few ports from computer to console work well, but the ones that do are a testament to their core strengths, XCOM: Enemy Unknown was such a game. Hearing about what you do, that it’s a turn-based strategy game with base management sounded so.....PC to me, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it sounded like something only a mouse and keyboard can bring it to life. When there was calls for it to come to console I still wasn’t sure I would like it, so stayed away from it for quite a while, despite the glowing reviews, the screenshots of the game still left me unenthusiastic about it. Then I watched it being played, understanding the benefits of renaming your soldiers, so when I saw it being offered on the PS+ Instant Game Collection I snapped it up. What was the worst it could do, still leaving me cold playing it, it didn’t cost me anything so I just wouldn’t play any more of it.
The power of Enemy Unknown though did the exact opposite to me. I adore playing that game (see my review of it on this almightiest of all sites ), changing their names makes it personal, as you are more careful on on how you played. The game is a superb mix of strategy and management, it is fantastic, but it could be improved. The creators Firaxis thought this too and made an Expansion Pack/Directors Cut (although Unknown’s director, Jake Soloman didn’t do this, as he’s rumoured to be making the next proper XCOM game). So big was the expansion it was too large for it to be classed as DLC for Xbox 360 & PS3, so it had to come out as a standalone game, and called it XCOM: Enemy Within.
Publisher: 2K games
Release Date: 15/11/2013
Format: PC, PS3, Xbox360
Very few ports from computer to console work well, but the ones that do are a testament to their core strengths, XCOM: Enemy Unknown was such a game. Hearing about what you do, that it’s a turn-based strategy game with base management sounded so.....PC to me, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it sounded like something only a mouse and keyboard can bring it to life. When there was calls for it to come to console I still wasn’t sure I would like it, so stayed away from it for quite a while, despite the glowing reviews, the screenshots of the game still left me unenthusiastic about it. Then I watched it being played, understanding the benefits of renaming your soldiers, so when I saw it being offered on the PS+ Instant Game Collection I snapped it up. What was the worst it could do, still leaving me cold playing it, it didn’t cost me anything so I just wouldn’t play any more of it.
The power of Enemy Unknown though did the exact opposite to me. I adore playing that game (see my review of it on this almightiest of all sites ), changing their names makes it personal, as you are more careful on on how you played. The game is a superb mix of strategy and management, it is fantastic, but it could be improved. The creators Firaxis thought this too and made an Expansion Pack/Directors Cut (although Unknown’s director, Jake Soloman didn’t do this, as he’s rumoured to be making the next proper XCOM game). So big was the expansion it was too large for it to be classed as DLC for Xbox 360 & PS3, so it had to come out as a standalone game, and called it XCOM: Enemy Within.
I’ll be right with you, I’ll just this first’
|
Yvonne, now with robot arms and legs, is still all woman. She fancies putting on her sexy number, looking for Mr Right
|
It’s a clever name-change, as what you can now do in it asks that off you – Will you do anything to fight this war with the alien threat? And in doing so shred the humanity of our soldiers to do so? Will you go overboard with what is now offered to you?. To do much of this not only do you fight on the battlefield, but there are glowing golden canisters to find there that can facilitate these changes – Meld. The creation of it now introduces a risk-and-reward mechanic that enriches what was already a tense gaming experience. New stuff includes XCOM’s Cybernetics and Genetics labs, with the help of the Meld you collect. This is where your soldiers are filled with alien goo and riddled with robotic components in the name of winning this war. Powerful cyborg MECs, making them asks you that question of far would go to win the fight, as to make them you have be brutal by asking a soldier if he/she could be so kind and have their limbs amputated. Once made they can be armed with flamethrowers, grenade launchers and cover-shredding special attacks. While they can’t take cover, they can be cover when locked down. Fighting alongside them are genetically augmented comrades who can be modified with alien tech to add passive cloaking systems, psi-cancelling implants and other abilities.
As you have new kinds of soldiers it only seems fair for the aliens to have new troops to. So adding to the Sectoids, Floaters, Cryssalids, Mutons, Etherials, Cyberdisks, Sectopods, and those creepy Thin Men they also have Seekers, and if the Secpods weren’t Mechy enough the aliens now their own MECs in Mechtoids. The Seekers can stop you in your tracks, as once discovered they go into stealth mode and cannot be detected until they show up again. When they do re-emerge they always go for a stray soldier and strangle them, so it’s best to stay in a group, don’t move, and Overwatch all the time till show up. The introduction of MECS also introduces one of the sweetest, satisfying cutaways ever in games, like yours, Mectoids are well-armoured bullet-shields, that take a lot of damage. So after a tough battle with them, and they’re really low on health, get your MEC into striking range, and DING-DING!, let the killing blows commence . There’s also fine cutaways when it’s a MEC vs Muton/Beserker too, but the MEC vs MEC one is just so good.
As you have new kinds of soldiers it only seems fair for the aliens to have new troops to. So adding to the Sectoids, Floaters, Cryssalids, Mutons, Etherials, Cyberdisks, Sectopods, and those creepy Thin Men they also have Seekers, and if the Secpods weren’t Mechy enough the aliens now their own MECs in Mechtoids. The Seekers can stop you in your tracks, as once discovered they go into stealth mode and cannot be detected until they show up again. When they do re-emerge they always go for a stray soldier and strangle them, so it’s best to stay in a group, don’t move, and Overwatch all the time till show up. The introduction of MECS also introduces one of the sweetest, satisfying cutaways ever in games, like yours, Mectoids are well-armoured bullet-shields, that take a lot of damage. So after a tough battle with them, and they’re really low on health, get your MEC into striking range, and DING-DING!, let the killing blows commence . There’s also fine cutaways when it’s a MEC vs Muton/Beserker too, but the MEC vs MEC one is just so good.
The New New Seekers
|
This is Harry. He likes taking long walks, chatting to people.....punching Mechtoids in the face. He’s looking for love, with Ms Right
|
The things that can rankle in Unknown are still here in Within, the occasional jittery graphics that can cause some momentary annoyance when you position your soldiers. Same when you go to throw a grenade/fire a missile at rare times. The last level is the same as Unknowns, good on a character front (you why know why the aliens invaded) but it’s disappointingly easy. The one thing Firaxis improves on was in places to go, as Within has more maps, and including the two DLCs (Progeny and Slingshot). Also, if fighting the alien threat is not enough for you, you also have to combat an alien-sympathising sect called EXHALT, which you send operatives on spying missions and fight them in Council missions. In this mix is one of the finest, stressful missions ever made in Base Defence, where the alien hordes invade your home turf. And when I say horde I mean horde, as you face wave after wave of the full cast of aliens.
That mission alone deserves the final score, but even though it still keeps a few tiny niggles from Unknown, Within improves upon that game, even transforms some parts of it. Because of that this was my Game of 2013 (yes above The Last of Us and GTAV, and they are terrific games)
That mission alone deserves the final score, but even though it still keeps a few tiny niggles from Unknown, Within improves upon that game, even transforms some parts of it. Because of that this was my Game of 2013 (yes above The Last of Us and GTAV, and they are terrific games)
|
+ Has the mission of all missions,
+ The Introduction of Meld adds an additional risk-and-reward side to the combat, as you need Meld to transform your troops, + Through the use of Meld, the MECS are awwwweesome, + After playing through it once you then can do it through Second Wave options that changes certain aspects of the game (like stats, money, powers, among many others) + All the other pluses from Unknown still stand here. - With the help of all that Meld can provide it is easier on some missions (including the last one), - The Unreal graphical engine really needs changing, - Ummm .... oh look it’s lunchtime, I got to go. |
‘Not now, I just a fight with Setpods, Mectoids and Seekers in the last battle, I’m EXALTed’
9/10
Simon James |
Harry on his working day
