First XCOM: Enemy Unknown screens, details
Firaxis' game "re-imagines" 1994 original.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a "re-imagining" of the original 1994 strategy classic UFO: Enemy Unknown which spawned the XCOM franchise.
According to GameInformer, Firaxis' project shares the same underlying concepts but the gameplay has been comprehensively modernised.
"Firaxis is undeniably streamlining aspects of the game and removing no small amount of micromanagement, but from what I've seen I wouldn't call it 'dumbing down' the game so much as getting rid of tedium and uninteresting mechanics," read the report.
"Soldiers still die permanently, fog of war and line of sight are hugely important in combat, and you absolutely can lose the game if you screw up too badly."
Gameplay will alternate between a real time tactical view where you'll manage your forces, interact with allies and conduct R&D; and traditional turn-based combat sequences where you'll do battle with invading alien forces.
Whereas 2K's forthcoming XCOM FPS chronicles the aliens' first attack on the US, Firaxis' effort takes place further down the timeline, dealing with the global response to the subsequent full-blown invasion.
First gameplay screenshots from the title, which is due out on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this Autumn, have also been released. Take a look below.
