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X-COM Returns and It’s Not a Shooter!

Obviously, I hardly need to tell you people about the big news today. That’s right: It’s my kids’ first day back to school! Also, some obscure company by the name of Firaxis -I think they once did some funky history of the world strategy type game- announced they are doing their own reboot of the venerable, and much-loved (by old people) X-COM* franchise. Unlike the one in development at 2k Marin, this will not be a shooter, but instead a more traditional take on the original 1994 game, as revealed today over at Game Informer. Here’s the money quote for those of you concerned about this also being ginned up for a console release:

The huge feature in February’s Game Informer goes into all the gory details of XCOM’s destructible tactical environments, the interaction between the real-time strategic view and the turn-based combat, how the XCOM organization improves its capabilities as the war rages on, and much more.

You had me at real-time strategic view and turn-based combat. Hugs!

Now, measured skepticism is always healthy. I would not be shocked to see the final product be more akin to X-COM: Pirates! Edition. And let’s not forget that Railroads! was not exactly a rip-roaring success. At the same time, if executed well, I could see a bit more simplistic re-imagining of X-COM working exceedingly well and bringing in a lot of new players. I may actually have to buy Game Informer this month, so I can find out some more. That’s something I’ve never done. 

You do have to wonder how this affects the Xenonauts project. Those guys have been at work for a good long while now and it would be sad if it gets blown out of the water before it has a chance to rise or fall on its own merits. Hopefully there will be enough to differentiate the two games to make playing both of them worthwhile. 

READ ALSO:  Calendar Man – Week of 6/25

That said, Firaxis! X-COM! Woo! 

*I do realize the actual title doesn’t use a hyphen. I find this strange and vaguely threatening and will continue to use the hyphen as god intended.

 

Todd Brakke

Todd was born in Ann Arbor with a Michigan helmet in one hand and a mouse in the other. (Never you mind the logistics of this.) He grew, vertically anyway, and proceeded to spend over 16 years as a development editor for Pearson Education, publishing books, videos, and digital learning products under the Que and Sams Publishing imprints. Because that wasn't enough of a challenge, Todd has also been a 20-year part-time snob about video games, writing reviews, features, and more for multiple outlets. Follow him on Twitter @ubrakto or check it out his website at ToddsFoolery.com.

10 thoughts to “X-COM Returns and It’s Not a Shooter!”

  1. I can’t wait to see the sales figures vs the FPS version and the endless debates to follow no matter how they fall! I’m glad to see it being done regardless though.

  2. If they fixed some of the originals glaring faults and just updated everything else it would be enough.

    That game is beyond classic.

  3. This should be interesting!

    I play more turn based games than I did back then, perhaps it is because as I age I appreciate games that handle interruptions well all the more

    Also, Xenonauts was not on my radar but it looks fascinating, will have to get it

  4. Excellent! (I probably should pre-order at some point. I know I’ll at least check it out when it’s done.)

  5. Don’t have high hopes,its still 2K so expect 15 DLC and broken game.They manage to damage two sequels already(Civ and Mafia)

  6. I’m hopeful that it turns out to be something good, BUT I want to see something new. I can still play X-Com, so they need to put something in there it interest me in the new version. Just a straight remake is of very little interest.

  7. Don’t know what those guys did to get the green-light by 2k, sure hoping they stay true to their word and deliver on what they told IG.

    Hoping they knock the other XCOM iteration 6 ways from Sunday.

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