31 people found this review helpful
Recommended
0.0 hrs last two weeks / 4.9 hrs on record
Posted: Oct 10, 2015 @ 7:13am

-Quick Review-
X-COM: Apocalypse was developed by MicroProse and released in 1997. X-COM: Apocalypse plays very much like the previous installments, however Apocalypse boasted a real-time combat mode, and a 3d city viewing mode, in addition to old features within the series.


-Detailed breakdown review-
Story: X-COM: Apocalypse follows the chronology half a century after the end of X-COM Terror from the deep. Possible spoiler: After the events in X-COM: Terror from the Deep, a worldwide environmental cataclysm destroyed the ecosystem forcing everyone into Bio-domed cities. X-COM: Apocalypse takes place in the city “Mega-Primus”, which is built over the ruins of Toronto Canada.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=529183940

Gameplay: I should quickly point out for the causal reader: I never actually played these games growing up, so I'm reviewing these games as a newcomer (I always told friends “I could play games with minimal graphics” and I genuinely have enjoyed the X-COM games thus far. If my hours are low, it's because I plan to play more on my laptop when traveling)
X-COM: Apocalypse takes “UFO Defense” and “Terror from the Deep” and builds on that foundation to make a newer better and more UI friendly game. You would be amazed how big a difference hovering your mouse cursor over an icon and seeing a tool tip, makes for the player.
Whereas to start playing the previous two X-COM games you need to do one of two things: Find a PDF Manual online, or watch/read tutorials and introduction strategies. There were no tool tips, no tutorial, and hardly any substantial 'beginner's help' within the games themselves.

Map Mode: So you get a 3D over-world map that lets you see Mega-Primus, and there's also a 2D Map version of the city. While playing I made note that I had a much easier time looking at the map in 2d mode.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=529178505
I have a sneaking suspicion that the 3D representation, was partially caused by pressure from other 3D games being released into the market in 1996 and 1997. (To list some of the best sellers: Civilization II, Warcraft II, Diablo, and Final Fantasy VII.)
While in Map mode you will micromanage your troops, watch for Alien invasion, build new bases, manage vehicles, and much more.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=529181726

Combat Mode: There are now two combat modes; the standard turn-based mode that the X-COM player base experienced in the first two games, and a brand-spanking new RTS (Real-Time Strategy).

There are many other features that I don't have space to explain in my review, many of the core concepts are the same but have a different user interface, basically the whole game received a face-lift.

Achievements:There are no achievements linked to X-COM Apocalypse, however playing and beating games like these are an achievement in their own right.

Improve performance I'm adding this section to this review because your experience with the game will improve if you make a slight modification to the dosbox.conf file, change "output=surface" to "output=ddraw" or “output=opengl”.
There are many references to this change in games that implement dosbox, I would give credit to those posts but there are to many to reference. Making this small change will fix many graphical problems with dosbox games, but you need to do it to each dosbox game individually and every time you re install.

Price: X-COM: Apocalypse is priced at $4.99. If you already know you like games like these I suggest picking up the X-COM: Complete Pack for $14.99. I purchased my copy from Humblebundle.com.

Conclusion: Hopefully I've been able to do this game justice. The Classic X-COM Series has impressed me every time I've played it. It boggles my mind that MicroProse was able to put so much detail into these games, the detail even rivals strategy games released today.
While the graphics might be difficult and turn away many from the game; if you can overcome that (or simply don't care about it, like me.) you will discover the gem in the strategy game genre which is the X-COM series.
Thank you for reading my review, I approve this series, and recommend it to strategy game enthusiasts, nostalgic gamers, and X-COM operatives.

Related Reviews
Here's the URL to see my review for X-COM: UFO Defense
Here's the URL to see my review for X-COM: Terror From the Deep
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