At E3 2011, 2K Marin hosted a presentation of XCOM, a new take on the classic turn-based strategy game. Before I attended the presentation at 2K Games’ closed door preview, I had my reservations on the new XCOM game. My doubts mainly came after seeing the E3 2011 XCOM preview trailer (see here on YouTube). More than anything, to me it looked like a dated FPS. But what I saw from 2K Marin’s demo was far deeper than that shown in the E3 trailer. To sum it up, this is very much a strategy game, told from the ground perspective. By the end of the demo, it was clear to me that the developers are onto something with the new XCOM. Read on for why strategy game players and fans of the original XCOM should look forward to what 2K Marin is cooking up.
XCOM tells a new origins story, where players assume the role of Agent William Carter in 1962. The opening of the game demo takes place in XCOM HQ (which the 2K E3 demo room was modeled after), where Agent Carter is assembling his team of agents. Scientists are testing alien equipment, while agents are lounging around awaiting assignment. Each agent has different stats and experience, something to factor in before hitting the field. Agents will also gain XP in the field, so it will be important to keep them active.
A mission map allows players to select from primary and secondary side quests, making for non-linear gameplay. Imagine this as a very visual presentation of what would have just been a menu driven system back in the day. With the developers selecting a mission, Agent Carter and his team are flown out with their currently researched alien gear.
On the way to their mission contact, the agents soon discover that something has beat them to the field. The developers note “fear of the unknown” is very much a factor in XCOM‘s story. The agents come across what looks to be a human going through some notebooks, but soon is revealed to be an “Infiltrator.” Infiltrators are capable of taking on the form of humans. After the agents defeat the alien Infiltrator, an action and strategy gameplay sequence follows.
In tactical mode, players must plan out their moves and their offensive or defensive strategy. A third-person perspective allows players to pause the battle on the screen. A “disrupt” power allows players to stun enemies. Players can use a capture ability to get alien items from the battlefield and do research to upgrade their team. The player must make split-second choices on whether to kill an alien enemy or capture their technology. The decision could turn the tide in the next upcoming battle. Following the battle, regions of the ground transform to coal/blue rock, which represent the alien “corruption” consuming the land. Again, I very much felt this was a ground representation of the aerial view you traditionally get in turn-based or real-time strategy games.
2K Marin is taking care in ensuring that this new XCOM stays true to its roots. So if you’re worried that this XCOM is going FPS, you can be assured that 2K Marin will keep players thinking strategically throughout the game. After seeing the demo, the impression I went away with on XCOM is that it is a ground view of a real-time strategy game. Visually, the 1960s setting was fitting. Players will get an unsettling feeling with the contrast of suburban streets from the idyllic era to a very sterile and mysterious geometric alien force.
XCOM is set for a March 6, 2012 release from 2K Games for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Keep a lookout for more details on the official XCOM website at xcom.com.
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