XCOM: Enemy Unknown

XCOM: Enemy Unknown revives the classic alien invasion strategy game and does it pretty hard. The player leads a secret organization that intercepts attacks, researches alien technology, and protects cities. The Earth is defended by ordinary people, and they actually die - the death of a fighter in battle is final, which turns every move into a decision with consequences. Tactical battles take place step-by-step: two actions per fighter, cover, vision and reloading. The simple system actually requires planning: going out into the open means exposing your squad to attack, and a thrown grenade can decide the fate of the battle. Panic and morale are also taken into account, so the squad at the end of the mission behaves differently than at the beginning. Between battles, you have to manage the base: build hangars and laboratories, hire specialists, decide which technologies to study first. Money and materials are limited, and meanwhile the aliens are getting stronger, so you have to choose what to risk. It’s also worth noting that the game has different difficulty levels and settings, including modes where opponents are especially tough. Intelligence is of great importance: without accurate data, even a strong detachment is ambushed. For turn-based tactics, this is the right basis. The game requires patience and the ability to accept losses, but victory over a strong opponent feels like an achievement. For the turn-based tactics genre, this is one of the standards, and it is still worth playing.