Phoenix Point Ultra Edition

Phoenix Point is a tactical strategy game set in the original science fiction universe. The American studio Snapshot Games, established in 2013, is responsible for creating the title. The creators in two years since the formation of the team released a well-received turn-based fantasy strategy Chaos Reborn, which was created thanks to a fundraiser on Kickstarter. The production of both games was overseen by Julian Gollop. This legendary creator and industry veteran has produced such classics as Laser Squad, Rebelstar Raiders, and above all the original UFO: Enemy Unknown, which was the first cover of the X-COM series, successfully resurrected by the Firaxis studio in 2012.

A year after the PC release, Phoenix Point: Year One Edition was released, including three DLCs (Blood and Titan, Legacy of the Ancients pack Living Weapons) and a number of gameplay enhancements.

Story

The title takes us to the year 2046. A few decades earlier scientists researching Antarctica discover a mysterious ancient virus of alien origin in one of the ice samples. Soon it gets out of control and attacks all life forms it encounters on its way. Faced with a global pandemic, humanity proved powerless and was decimated in a short time. Animals and humans have been replaced by terrifying mutated creatures, hiding in the fog that covers much of the Earth's surface. The survivors hide in isolated enclaves, fighting every day for survival with constantly changing and adapting to new conditions enemies. The developers were inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, as well as horror films by directors such as David Cronenberg. The story presented in Phoenix Point has several endings, which we get depending on the decisions made during the campaign.

Mechanics

Phoenix Point draws heavily from the original X-COM as well as its modernized versions (XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2). This does not mean, however, that the developers used only the mechanical solutions of the predecessors. Players command one of the last bastions of humanity (the titular Phoenix Point), taking care of its development, security and resources, as well as military operations. As in XCOM, during the game we also operate on the global map of the world, looking for other human settlements and carrying out missions commissioned by them. Hidden locations will also be important, in which we acquire resources necessary for the development of the base and equipment. We also make contact with other factions, although not all of them are friendly. Some even worship monsters created by the virus, others strive for coexistence or complete extermination of these enemies. Depending on our relations with other groups, we can also use their unique technologies and weapons. The political and economic aspect of the game will be realized on a much larger scale than in the case of XCOM, in places resembling the strategies of the Paradox studio.

We spend most of the time in turn-based tactical combat mode, in which we command our squad. Practically all locations, in which we face the opponents, are randomly generated. Additionally, the creators have introduced a system of environment destruction which gives us completely new strategic possibilities. The maps are in large part covered with a fog created by a virus, where the opponents hide their strength. Similarly to individual locations, the enemies are generated procedurally by the game engine. What's interesting, the virus mutated creatures adapt to our style of play. If in one of the missions we attack mainly with the use of sniper weapon, in the next we can count on the fact that we will stand face to face with evolved enemies, who have the abilities to counter this kind of weapon. Players can, just like in the Fallout series, aim at specific parts of the opponents' bodies, which is important especially in the fight against the most dangerous, many-meter-long behemoths, resembling creations of Lovecraftian imagination.

Technical issues

Phoenix Point is powered by a proprietary graphics engine, offering eye-pleasing visuals using many modern tricks and graphical effects.