
Secondly is the "Geoscape", here you manage your bases and squads, do research, manufacture equipment, send out exploratory teams, collect resources, negotiate with other factions and a whole host of other things.Ĭombat is the more action orientated section and it plays out as you'd expect. First up is the "Missions" segment of the game, where combat plays out and you control your squad in turn-based battles, as you try to carry out the objective. Gameplay breaks down into two different sections that each play very differently and have a different focus.

It does a great good of explaining the nuances and on-screen indicators so I thoroughly recommend doing the tutorial, even if you're a veteran of the genre. It looks, plays and feels very much like XCOM but has small differences and additions that, although minor, when added together give a different overall experience.Ī very good and well done tutorial, with cut-scenes and story, eases you into the game and slowly while explaining the mechanics and gameplay. You must explore the broken world, scavenge supplies, recruit soldiers and negotiate with other factions, all while researching and manufacturing new tech to loosen the grip the virus has on the planet, and ultimately to save humanity itself.Įarlier in the review I mentioned that this is a game made by the same man behind the original Xcom franchise, and how this was made as a spiritual successor, but I really want to stress how similar it is to the popular series. Down to only a handful of recruits, with only minimal resources left and only one barely functional base under its control, it's up to you to begin the process of rebuilding. They were easy prey and reduced to a fraction of their former capabilities. Unfortunately though, political maneuvering behind the scenes had already weakened the organisation considerably when the Pandoravirus showed up. You take control of the titular Phoenix Point, a secret organisation beholden to no one country or people, and tasked only with keeping humanity safe in any and all circumstances. They constantly evolve, with new appendages and abilities appearing as they do, and have only one purpose the defeat of humanity and the entire conversion of the planet.Īnd, as you'd expect, it's your job to stop them. This disease mutates every living thing it touches, both humans and animals, creating powerful and violent biological monstrosities with many strange adaptations. Story wise, Phoenix Point takes place in a post-apocalyptic Earth recently decimated by a mysterious and highly infectious virus known as the "PandoraVirus".
PHOENIX POINT TECH TREE SERIES
Phoenix Point was created as the "spiritual successor" to the famous alien invasion series and, as such, if you enjoyed XCOM you'll probably find much to enjoy in this release.įor those on the fence though, let's see if I can convince you to try what's probably the best turn-based strategy I've played since Gears Tactics. Both games are the brainchildren of Julian Gollop, original creator of the XCOM series in the 90s, so there's major similarities shared between the two franchises. It's a little more complex than XCOM, more options to consider, more things to keep an eye on and it has more replayabilty with its multiple endings. The base experience is currently available on Gamepass or you can pick up the one I'm reviewing, the Behemoth Edition, which includes all 4 DLC released so far (plus a couple of extras too) for a good price. If the answer is yes, then you probably don't need to read any further.
