Aliens: Dark Descent

Aliens: Dark Descent

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Gluck Jun 20, 2023 @ 10:22am
How does it compare to Xcom?
Is worth playing over xcom 2? Is there any enemy variety, customisation, depth of content?

I'm a big fan of xcom 2: war of the chosen and wouldn't want to play something that feels inferior.
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Showing 1-15 of 16 comments
breadman Jun 20, 2023 @ 10:23am 
it's not turn based, it's real time
Lord Yoshi Jun 20, 2023 @ 10:27am 
the only thing that its like xcom is the base and character customization, everything else is squad based real time strategy

Is it worth playing over xcom 2? That is an open ended question it depends on how much you value the Aliens franchise, and how how much you value Xcom . Both of these games play differently.

I like both games, and each are a welcome addition to my library.
Last edited by Lord Yoshi; Jun 20, 2023 @ 11:20am
Ray'mee Jun 20, 2023 @ 10:27am 
I think it's not worth playing OVER xcom 2 but it's worth playing the two games.

Gameplay wise, they are very different games. The only thing that is similar in the two games is when you are at your base. And no, there is not as much customisation as in Xcom 2 but I don't think it would be a good thing if there was. I don't want my soldiers parading in pink uniforms and other weird colors/armors etc.

The customisations are true to the Aliens franchise I would say. In my opinion, the game is worth it. The reviews seem to confort me in my way of seeing things :D

Hope you play it and love it ! Have a nice day.
Ericsbane Jun 20, 2023 @ 10:27am 
XCOM 2 With "War of the Chosen DLC" has more of what you are asking about, but the game itself is not bad.
Its customization is on par with something like Phoenix Point.
Gluck Jun 20, 2023 @ 10:27am 
Ah ok, I wonder why so many people were comparing it to xcom in the reviews then.
Ray'mee Jun 20, 2023 @ 10:30am 
Originally posted by Jo. Dolandi de Lachrimae:
Ah ok, I wonder why so many people were comparing it to xcom in the reviews then.

A lot of people are comparing it to Xcom because the developers said it was a big inspiration. You can truly feel it when you are at your base between missions, it's almost the same thing. When you are in the missions, there is no comparisons to be made I would say, totally different game.
Noob Van Noob Jun 20, 2023 @ 10:30am 
Originally posted by Jo. Dolandi de Lachrimae:
Ah ok, I wonder why so many people were comparing it to xcom in the reviews then.
it has a base and troop management element in-between deployments like xcom, but the tactical level is not comparable.
moonlightavenger Jun 20, 2023 @ 10:59am 
It doesn't. RTS with slow-motion or pause.
Psykikk Jun 20, 2023 @ 11:07am 
I would say its almost the exact same thing. only difference : yes, its RTS compared to turn based.

but its basically the same thing.
manage squad, deploy missions, extend base. fight aliens in different shapes and forms. research and upgrade stuff, improve squad. rinse repeat.

only that the base stuff is FAR more in depth and offers way more options in xcom than in this one.

so if you prefer turn based: I wouldnt really bother with this one tbh.
APN34Z Jun 20, 2023 @ 11:18am 
Its great, XCOM is a AAA studio though this is not, dont go in thinking its on XCOMs level, its a nice game for the price, atmosphere is on point and its 'Aliens'!
Beef Hammer Jun 20, 2023 @ 11:27am 
It hasn't made me think of xcom once
Iyami Jun 20, 2023 @ 11:33am 
It has familiar things to XCOM like class, weapons and skill points. While in battle you can use skills similar to XCOM but, its more of a fast paced that turn based.
Dregora Jun 20, 2023 @ 11:38am 
Originally posted by Beef Hammer:
It hasn't made me think of xcom once


Because you only think of an individual thing. The base building, resource management, capturing aliens/alientech to unlock new weapons, the day cycle, things being timed, the soldier customization is all very much like xcom.


The massive difference is the huge open map that stays the way you left it when you return and the real time combat. And the focus on combat being much less, since you can actively stealth A LOT of the game so far.
Originally posted by toadstool:
the only thing that its like xcom is the base and character customization, everything else is squad based real time strategy

Is it worth playing over xcom 2? That is an open ended question it depends on how much you value the Aliens franchise, and how how much you value Xcom . Both of these games play differently.

I like both games, and each are a welcome addition to my library.
The only thing that would make Aliens: Dark Descent on par with X-com 2 is if it allowed mod support and/or a rouge-like mode, with missions and side quests generating on the map with like time limits. Because of how the missions and maps work as a persistent thing, a endless rouge like mode for this game would mean missions would have to generate. With time limits to reach the mission location or complete them, as the hive gets more and more aggressive the more you fight it.

But yea, mod support or even a endless rouge mode would put this next to x-com 2. I just wish the devs will say something soon.
JM Jun 21, 2023 @ 3:36am 
How detailed is the soldier customization compared to Xcom? Can you change hair style/color? Faces/props/scars etc? Can you give custom names to the soldiers?
Last edited by JM; Jun 21, 2023 @ 3:37am
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Date Posted: Jun 20, 2023 @ 10:22am
Posts: 16