This takes some getting used to after XCOM’s relatively simple percentage chance which in XCOM 2 has been refined to the point of point-and-click Phoenix Points approach leads to much more realistic firefights.
Sirens’ ability to get three of your soldiers under mind control in just one turn seems initially ridiculous until you discover that a single Virophage sniper shot to their head is enough the deny them! While at first some enemies may seem overpowered, only by fully embracing this new damage system will you ultimately prevail? Fighting acid-bombing Chirons is initially terrifying until you realize how quickly you can debilitate them by destroying their abdomens. Sending an Arthron scurrying away in a panic after surgically removing its arms with a couple of carefully placed sniper shots, is a joy to behold. Still, Phoenix Point’s pièce de résistance is the granular damage system that allows you to target individual body parts with varying effects. In Phoenix Point, each bullet follows its own trajectory leading to a much more realistic feel for most weapons. Sophisticated Damage Engine & Targeting System Still, Phoenix Point has its own merits, and I have enjoyed both immensely, despite their differences: 1.
XCOM2 is a beautifully polished product that delivers hundreds of hours of entertainment and is my favorite game of all time. Phoenix Point argument I think that comparing the two is unhelpful. I can see a skeptical look on your face, but let me explain why I think that Phoenix Point will eventually become a classic… Things to love about Phoenix Point While Phoenix Point is missing some pizzazz, it makes up for this in its soul, and by creating a more in-depth, more involved experience than similar games. Its slick, smooth engine delivers excellent entertainment and is the foundation for some engaging storytelling, but lacks the gritty realism that many turn-based players like. This is particularly impressive considering that the game was built on a modest budget, a new team that Gollop assembled in Bulgaria – with just 55 people and no flashy Silicon Valley.įor all of its polish and fantastic storytelling, XCOM 2 doesn’t quite evoke the same emotional response that XCOM: UFO Defense did. Still, I persevered and was rewarded by one of the most engaging, thoughtful games that I have played for a long time. I was initially underwhelmed on my first play, with many game-breaking bugs and glitches and a lack of polish. Some of the stunning original concept art demonstrating a slick, futuristic interface didn’t make it into the final production release. I was hungry for more and so was excited to learn that Gollop was working on a new game and was quick to back it on fig.co back in 2017 and waited in great anticipation.Īs I played through the backer builds, I saw the game slowly coming together but found that the graphical polish and quality that we hoped for were not there. Like millions of other gamers, I have put hundreds of hours in XCOM 2. It ushered in a new genre and spawned 12 other games, with the franchise hitting its peak in 2016 with the widely acclaimed XCOM 2 from Firaxis Games. Back then, I was running it on my Commodore Amiga 1500 and was fascinated by the depth of play, grittiness of story, and the evil ferocity of the aliens. I’ll start by saying that I have played every single XCOM game (even the frustrating The Bureau) since I first fell in love with XCOM: UFO Defense in 1994. Having put over 100 hours into the game, not only do I really like it, but I think that it is one of the most intriguing games released for several years. This game, designed by legendary XCOM creator Julian Gollop, deserves a lot more love – and recognition that he has pulled-off a major feat. I know that the general consensus is that Phoenix Point hasn’t lived up to the promise, or to the hype, but I disagree.
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