UFO: Enemy Unknown (X-COM: UFO Defense) has been around for over a decade, and still no other game has stolen it's throne. The unique mix of strategic micro management and tactical combat makes for a special treat for most strategy gamers, and luckily the game runs fine on modern computers using Windows XP.


Bomb Bloke knows everything there is to know about the X-COM series, and has written up a review of UFO: Enemy Unknown for your retro pleasure. Find instructions on how to download and install the game here, and whet your appetite with Bomb Bloke's review here.

Man, does that bring back memories... Years of memories. Even weird ones, like thinking "How can my brother move if it's clearly my move - since I'm moving?". I stopped playing for a couple of days after that...

Great, now you have playing the game all over again... *grumbles*

::

It never ceases to amaze me how confoundingly well the aliens' AI performs. Not once, but repeatedly. I'm thinking, a decade-plus hence, quite a few developers should have been taking notes.



*New game. Tactical mission 1*
*Tank/Rocket Launcher gingerly rolls down the Skyranger's ramp.*
*A shot streaks across the netherland parting the darkness*
*Direct hit*
*Tank falls neatly apart*

*Quick tally: $400.000+ worth of equipment to the scrapyard. Eight previously cocky, high-browed XCom operatives respectfully demand sick leave...*

Hehe, it's not so much AI as statistics. On harder enemies or harder settings it's just a matter of numbers.

Now... if it took into account unit size an body parts when applied to a 3d model of each character the aliens wouldn't be half as accurate

Well, actually, it turns out that unit size is taken into account... Which is why kneeling is such a good idea, and why you can fire shots under Floaters! (And civilians, for some unknown reason... )

In fact, the entire map is a 3D space. You can shoot through windows or shoot at the sills.

Body parts are also considered though that only goes so far as to work out which armor class is used in the damage calcs, or which limb to apply fatal wounds to.

AI or numbers, X-COM didn't let you keep all the soldiers alive unless you used the time displacement system (save/load). Even in best armour rookies were killed occasionally because of their low HP.