2K Games has just released the expansion to the hit AAA PC game XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which also ventured into Android last April. Fans of the franchise will probably fall for this game as well, as it brings the game into a handy mobile size. But make no mistake, XCOM: Enemy Within isn’t a dumbed down version, though graphics are, of course, less detailed. The game offers you everything that the larger PC version does, and even adds a multiplayer option to boot.
For those unfamiliar with how the game plays, XCOM is a combination of strategy and tactical game, so there could be a lot going on. When it comes to battles and missions, the game takes on a turn-based strategy mechanic, quite similar to others of that genre. Outside of combat, however, the game is more tactical, letting users determine research goals, team composition, and even which countries are helped and which ones are ignored, which can help or hinder your cause.
That cause is, of course, about saving humanity against an alien invasion. But Enemy Within adds a slight twist to the game. Aside from new alien foes, you also have to deal with enemies hiding within your own ranks, hence the name. Of course, the game doesn’t simply abandon you to the mercy of more powerful enemies. The expansion adds the ability for your side to augment soldiers with technology and skills researched from the aliens, whether they be cybernetic implants or psionic powers. It also introduces a certain substance called Meld, which becomes the alien resource that everyone will be fighting over.
Aside from these gameplay changes, Enemy Within also adds a new multiplayer mode, though it is probably better described as PvP, since you are really going against only one player, even if each of you have a whole squad to control. And speaking of controls, it seems that turn-based strategy games like these are starting to crop up as the sweet spot for mobile gaming, as it doesn’t require you pretend that you are holding a controller and can use the more familiar touch gestures.
Now for a bit of a bad news. If you’ve already bought the first game, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, you will still have to buy Enemy Within, for a much higher price even. Enemy Unknown cost $9.99 back then while Enemy Within goes for $12.99. In fact, Enemy Within replaces the older game on Google Play Store and you can no longer find the older game there. It might be alright from a content point of view, since Enemy Within is the complete XCOM game plus the new features, but the higher price tag might frighten off a few would-be players.
Download: XCOM: Enemy Within from Google Play Store
