In 1994, the game X-COM: UFO Defense was a confident leader among other representatives of its genre. Here you have tactics and strategy, management and simulation, an engaging gaming universe with a non-trivial plot: the focus is on a parallel reality of our familiar world and a real alien invasion. When 20 years passed since the release of the original version, the developers breathed new life into the project, and it was popular once again.
The creators of the game called “Xenonauts” have repeatedly stated that their project is not just an old game in a new wrapper, as many things have been changed and improved. Xenonauts is an actual reimagining of the first version, although the plot differs little from the original. It all starts in 1979, when the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union is coming to an end, and former enemies have to join forces to fight a more serious enemy – alien invaders.
The strategic part of the game involves the need to create military and research complexes for the work of scientists and soldiers, who together must find effective solutions to combat the aliens. The tactical part is already turn-based battles, the outcome of which is directly related to the customization and skills of the fighters, as well as their cunning and ability to make unconventional decisions. A cool update is the tactical aerial battles. Clearing the map of alien enemies is not the only gameplay option, as you can always engage in rescuing people or capturing strategically important points. Thanks to Playground SDK5, the graphics look simple, but this does not make the gameplay any less enjoyable.
