Is this like Xenonauts 1 but just with better graphics, or a completely new game with new mechanics under the hood

[Treetop69]

not a bad thing imo if its just a graphics overhaul, i only ask because im going to start playing a game of xenonauts 1 and if its mostly a graphics overhaul then ill wait the 5 days, but if its a completely new game with new mechanics and new coding and new things then ill start xeno1 now and also do xeno2 when it comes out

[Ozone]

It's a bit of both, it's a 1.5.
Xenonauts 2 will be in Early Access and unfinished, so you should just wait for the final version for a real experience.

If you've never played Xenonauts, you can start with the 1 right now; I highly recommend the community edition (super easy install, go to the game's properties, beta, and pick Community Edition).

[Jaasrg]

From the dev itself:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/538030/discussions/0/3811783679195660156/#c3811784078994139988

[Soldatmesteren]

After trying the Xenonauts 2 demo Xenonauts 1 feels unplayable for me. The interface, controls and general ease of use seems to have been upgraded a lot with Xenonauts 2.

To me Xenonauts 1 feels like a test game and Xenonauts 2 feels like the actual game.

[Sunday Driver]

So far from what I've seen and played I think this is a solid upgrade without changing the game so much it doesn't feel like a proper sequel any more.

[Goldhawk]

There's quite a few differences, but I wouldn't advise playing through the entire of Xenonauts 1 and then picking up Xenonauts 2 only a few days later. They have enough in common that it'd probably feel a little repetitive if you did.

I think either grab Xenonauts 1 now and then wait until Xenonauts 2 comes out of Early Access in ~9 months, or just skip Xenonauts 1 entirely and buy Xenonauts 2 when it launches next week.

I think it'd be very difficult to go back and play Xenonauts 1 after you've played Xenonauts 2 though!