Xenonauts 2

Xenonauts 2 is not a revolutionary release. It’s a conservative modernizing of an old-school tactical predecessor. It sits comfortably in that weird little niche of a sequel to a love letter of a ’90s classic. The improved variety and demanding scenarios may not push the envelope much further than where it was in 2014, but it was already in a great spot to begin with.

Xenonauts 2 is a fun and challenging game that works well on PC. There is a massive library of lore to read and research, as well as challenging gameplay.

As a spiritual successor to the original UFO games, it's excellent; as a full-fledged sequel to Xenonauts 1, however, it's rather disappointing. While it still plays well and offers exploration, combat, construction and management, after 10 years of development, we certainly expected more.

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A slow-burning, but extremely rewarding experience that doesn’t hold back. Xenonauts 2 knows exactly what it wants to be and does it well.

Xenonauts 2 is one of the most interesting and successful attempts to breathe new life into the spirit of the classic UFO/X-COM in a contemporary form. There are games that strive at all costs to be modern. And there are games that simply aim to be really, really good. Xenonauts 2 clearly falls into the latter category.

Though I personally found the combat slow, punishing for the wrong reasons, and the customization a bit shallower than I would have liked, I can certainly see the appeal in Xenonauts 2, particularly for those wanting a tactically demanding, strategy-heavy game reminiscent of classic XCOM with some great lore.

Xenonauts 2 is an enjoyable strategy game that offers fast-paced turn-based combat. The need to build a base, track UFO sightings on the global map, and shoot down flying saucers in a minigame format is quite engaging. The missions, in which you command your troops, are constantly evolving and force you to think on your feet and adjust your tactics with every turn. The game is mainly let down by minor bugs and crashes in certain situations. At the same time, it presents a challenge that will appeal to fans of the genre.

Xenonauts 2 is filled with complexities and challenges, but the tactical options keeps you on your toes and offers an exciting gameplay loop.

Even coming short of perfection, you nerds are going to love Xenonauts 2. It lacks the bombast and superpowers of reboot-era XCOM, but it more than compensates with logistical complexity. It may not be sexy, but Xenonauts 2 is a well-designed strategy game, thoughtfully made by a team who knows the genre. And if you are a youngster who missed the 90s? Here’s an approachable piece of video game history given form. Figuring out how to run an old DOS game is a headache. Xenonauts 2 in out and ready for your orders commander.