Into the Breach vs XCOM: Chimera Squad

it scratches that Into The Breach itch of "alright how do I weasel out of this one?"

It feels like there was absolutely zero respect given to the adage of "sometimes less is more" that FTL and Into the Breach are essentially built around.

It is a 10/10 masterclass in efficiency. Battles take place on a tiny 8x8 grid where you have perfect information about enemy moves.

In the intervening years I played Subset's later title Into the Breach, which I found to be strategically quite deep and rewarding, though it was punishingly difficult.

I actually loved this aspect of CS a lot, making it my favorite XCOM game (including the originals). The game is "cruel" in the way it depicts a breach with little information available, it puts you under pressure, and when you launch the breach, you're there praying everything goes according to plan

The story is nothing to write home about. But the theme, the premise! Brilliant and original. Former enemies who have to learn to work together. ... What a wild turn from "alien invasion #2389".

I had a lot of fun with Chimera squad, but my favorite thing about it was the game design philosophy it represents. ... The price made it a must buy at release, and the quality of the game definitely justified its development.

I actually rather liked Chimera Squad. I didn't go into it with any major expectations (having picked it up on a massive sale close after launch) and found it to be a fun little romp with a decent (if paint-by-numbers) story.