X-COM Collection review

The ultimate in creepy turn-based strategy, now in high-value bundle form

Reviews
By
published

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Royalty of PC gaming

  • +

    Turn-based terror

  • +

    Brilliant and challenging

Cons

  • -

    Weak Interceptor installment

  • -

    Aged Enforcer installment

  • -

    Dated graphics

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

In the interminable wait for the announcement of a new breed of X-Com games, there’s no reason for you not to revel in this most grand royalty of PC gaming. The X-Com games work like Thunderbirds: your teams are being called out to various hotspots throughout the world from a central equipping station (like Tracey Island) where tech upgrades are researched. Then, when you get your team to the relevant isometric area with alien feet scuttling just below the fog of war, turn-based terror ensues.

Our personal favorite is X-Com: Terror from the Deep (a definite contender for hardest strategy game of all time) but being able to nab this alongside X-Com: UFO Defense, Interceptor, Enforcer and Apocalypse for what roughly equals a movie ticket is an outright steal. That said Interceptor, (ropey Wing Commander wannabe) and Enforcer (ropey third-person action) haven’t exactly weathered time with their dignity intact.

Currently only available onSteam.

Oct 30, 2008

More info

GenreStrategy
DescriptionThese seminal works of early strategy mastery are still great, with a couple diversionary historical oddities included. Go get 'em on Steam, why don't ya?
Platform"PC"
US censor rating"Teen"
UK censor rating""
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
More
CATEGORIES
PC Zone_UK
A screenshot shows the pixel art characters of Angeline Era floating through stars.

The devs of a legendary indie Zelda-like have a new retro action game with "bumpslash" combat, and its Steam Next Fest demo is a gem: "Fans of Ys, take note!"
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 screenshots showing whip attacks

And you thought Hollow Knight: Silksong is late – 37 years in the making, this retro Metroidvania has a whip-smart Steam Next Fest demo that's as Castlevania as it gets
Photo of the Razer Kuromi Collection sitting on a white desk, taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe.

Razer has launched its Kuromi Collection in the US so I've turned my cozy gaming setup into a pretty purple Sanrio paradise
See more latest