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XCOM vs XCOM: Chimera Squad
XCOM
7 positive (70%) · 2 mixed (20%) · 1 negative (10%)
Trust + time weighted: +58%
Top excerpts
Parent context: I personally think XCOM is massively better than it, but I guess it depends what you are after. I think it is extremely forgettable but it can be good for a target audience who likes the idea of XCOM but doesn't want it to be hardcore (or what you call "frustrating"). Reply: I think that's fair and I also think that you're objectively probably right in the assertion that XCOM is a better game, for some abstract measure of objective game quality.
I played a bit of XCOM, and while I definitely see why people like it, the permadeath was just too much for me. ... it retains much of the charm without bogging me down in the details like XCOM did.
Turn based games and games that don't require a long block of uninterrupted mental investment are where it's at. XCOM comes to mind.
I'm a big fan of Firaxis' XCOM games; their focus on tactics and conflict management felt puzzle-like, and the world events were streamlined enough to not be tedious but could still make or break a playthrough.
One thing about turn-based tactical games is the sheer length of some combat encounters that can drag, especially if there are no checkpoints mid-encounter and the player messes up or is surprised. The most prominent eg would be XCOM, but that design explicitly expects you to lose a couple of soldiers while being able to withdraw.
XCOM: Chimera Squad
7 positive (64%) · 2 mixed (18%) · 2 negative (18%)
Trust + time weighted: +50%
Top excerpts
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.
My main complaint was that it was too easy. With the right squad setup you could completely deny the enemies any possibility of moving, turning some of the later missions into turkey shoots.