10 things you need to know about: XCOM: Enemy Unknown

by Leigh Harris
Friday, October 12th 2012 at 3:41PM EST

Well, it's out today, and is one of those titles there's been some confusion about, so let's set the record straight on Firaxis' latest.

This is not the XCOM game which is a squad-based shooter with that 1950s vibe from the last couple of E3s.
This is a direct descendent of the classic 90s XCOM series of strategy games, and is being handled by modern gaming's brightest lights in strategy gaming - Firaxis Games (Civilization, Pirates!).
The first reviews are all lighting up positive, with hard-to-please strategy fans seeming to be taking the new release quite well.
It's a turn-based strategy game for PS3, 360 and PC where you control a squad from a birds-eye view and plan the strategy of the overall war.
You'll get to name each of your recruits and let them grow skills over time, unless you let them die.
Very flexible difficulty levels, with modes suitable for newcomers to strategy and hardcore old-school PC X COM fans.
It's the first time the franchise has hit consoles.
It's a 30+ hour game, with over 70 missions in all - a meaty, long-term experience.
It's out today.
It has it's very own launch trailer here.