XCOM has created a huge legacy and inspired a new generation of squad-and-turned basic tactical strategy games. There’s no doubt that Marvel’s Midnight Suns has a ton of hype as it combines the Marvel brand with XCOM-like gameplay, for example, and that’s one example of many. Another XCOM-like game is Phoenix Point, which is described as a spiritual successor, and while it has been available on PC and Stadia, it’s making the jump to PS4 and Xbox One soon.
In fact, Phoenix Point releases day one on Game Pass (October 1), giving all of its subscribers' access to the game. Just knowing its relationship to XCOM may be enough for some to check it out, but for those who want to know more, here’s what fans can expect from Phoenix Point.
RELATED: Xbox Game Pass Adds 3 More Games for September 2021
Phoenix Point Story and Factions
Prior to the events of Phoenix Point, a pandemic created by an alien virus, named the Pandoravirus, has decimated humanity and put it on the brink of extinction. The Pandoravirus, by the point of the game, has infected the entire ocean, contaminated and warped all sea life, and has dominated the land via an airborne mutagenic mist. The horror elements of Phoenix Point take inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft and John Carpenter.
Players begin the game as the leader of the Phoenix Point base and a cell of the greater Phoenix Project—a pre-pandemic organization that laid in wait to aid humanity in a time of worldwide peril. The cell is filled with talent, but after they assemble, Phoenix Project seems to disappear. So, as players fight for humanity’s future, they will also work on resolving the mystery of the Phoenix Project. Players have to face off with mutations of the pandoravirus, fight for control of resources, forge alliances, and more throughout the game
.
There are a total of 5 endings to Phoenix Point, with the endings based on factions found throughout the game world including the aforementioned Phoenix Project; Disciples of Anu, who worship an alien god, develop human-alien hybrids, and hide in caves; New Jericho, a highly militant faction who seek to fight the alien threat directly; and Synedrion, which are the most technologically advanced faction and are described as “radical” ecologist seeking to build a new and better human civilization.
Phoenix Point Gameplay and Enemies
Players can expect similar gameplay tactics and overall strategies as seen in XCOM, but Phoenix Point makes its own variations. For example, the aliens players face mutate and evolve as they adapt to player tactics and technology, adding new dynamic elements to the overall combat and approach. These aliens are procedurally generated and include randomized body parts, sizes, and shapes depending on the Pandoravirus’ control of the planet. Regions controlled by the Pandoravirus adds to the pool of available alien mutation.
Where aliens are victorious in Phoenix Point’s combat, they may mutate based on the weapons and technology used to fight them. The reverse is also possible: aliens who consistently lose can mutate to develop new natural selection abilities, like new attacks, physical defenses, and son. Overall, the game’s AI adapts gameplay around how the player approaches it.
At the same time, players will have to compete with and face off against the aforementioned factions in order to capture important resources; it’s even possible to raid any of the Phoenix Point’s enemy havens. These resources are then used to facilitate the growth of the player’s capabilities and facilitate the growing strategy of Phoenix Point. As players grow, more strategic options become available on a global scale and can help define how a player approaches the game.
On paper, Phoenix Point sounds incredible, and its PC reviews indicate a “mixed or average” reception. It remains to be seen how well it’s received on PS4 and Xbox One, but certainly, Xbox Game Pass subscribers who love XCOM have nothing to lose by checking it out.
Phoenix Point is available for PC and Stadia now, with it releasing on PS4 and Xbox One on October 1.