XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a 2012 developed by and published by . The game is a "reimagined" of the 1994 cult classic strategy game (also known as UFO: Enemy Unknown) and a of 's 1990s series. Set in an of the year 2015, the player controls an elite multinational paramilitary organization called XCOM during an of Earth. The player commands troops in the field in a series of turn-based tactical missions; between missions, the player directs the research and development of technologies from recovered alien technology and captured prisoners, expands XCOM's base of operations, manages finances, and monitors and responds to alien activity
Much like its predecessor, XCOM: Enemy Unknown casts the player as the commander of an elite military organization. As commander, the player directs their soldiers in combat missions against alien enemies. Between missions, the player directs the organization's research and engineering divisions in creating new technologies and improving XCOM's base of operations, and manages the organization's finances.
The ground combat uses a perspective. The player controls a squad of between one and six human soldiers or robotic units as they hunt the aliens on the map and attempt to complete other objectives dependent on the mission. Map layouts are not randomly generated, but enemy placement is. hides the aliens and their actions from view until the player's soldiers are in range and have on them, and enemies normally do not act at all until the squad initially comes within line of sight. Soldiers can carry items and perform special abilities; use of these items and abilities is controlled through a on the (HUD). A few examples of abilities include firing on enemies automatically after they emerge, launching explosives, and healing allies.
Soldiers can take cover behind walls and objects in the environment to gain a measure of protection. Units can use to disadvantage enemies, and use to maneuver around opponents. and dynamic camera movements emphasise particularly exciting gameplay moments, such as kill sequences and use of special abilities. The game includes some elements, whereby the player's soldiers can gain abilities as they survive more battles
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