2K Games and Firaxis are removed from the sleeve, as if it were a magician, a more than remarkable strategy game that continues to lay the foundations of a famous saga.
Who doesn't like a surprise? You come home, the door opens, and suddenly the light comes on, with many of your loved ones in there welcoming you. Kisses everywhere, hugs, revelry and gifts to liven up the reception. 2K Games and Firaxis are the relatives, and XCOM: Chimera Squad the gift they have given us without waiting for it.
Because if this delivery stands out for something, it is for its unexpected appearance. The game was announced on April 15 and on the 24th it went on sale. Nine days apart to offer us a game that does not revolutionize anything, but does set (and improves) what we have already seen in this saga. That, in the end, this is the same as always, like the Sherpas when they climb the mountain: if you know how to do your task well, however complicated it is, why are you going to change it?
New aesthetic
Possibly, readers will remember around here a fantastic DLC that Ubisoft released after launching Far Cry 3, one called Blood Dragon. The retro-futuristic and cyberpunk aesthetic, with that vaporware touch characterized by purple hues, flooded the visual part of the game. If we refer to this it is because bringing this look to the scene is, at least, risky, since it needs special handling.
After betting on various aesthetics in previous installments of the XCOM saga, each one more varied – one of them from the mid-20th century -, this one now gives way to the one previously mentioned. And it does it more than efficiently, to chase away fears. The entire visual look is impregnated with vivid metallic colors to reflect that future Blade Runner that will one day come. In fact, the game not only expresses it well, but also takes advantage of this aesthetic in very specific points, that is, it takes advantage of it. For example, it does not include “traditional” cinematics: it opts for pseudo comic strips where these shades become even stronger. Difficult decision, but corrected with great mastery.
Because the contextual revolves around this aesthetic, but without losing sight again of a robust and seamless graphic section. Do not expect a big jump over the latest releases released. What is done is that what is already on screen goes smoothly, without problems. No fuss. Without going any further, this Reviews has been done on a PC with a GTX 780, a fourth-generation i7 and 16 GB of RAM from back then. And despite everything, the game was able to run high. Remarkable optimization for a graphic section that does not clash at any time. Firaxis, once again, knowing how to adapt to equipment (and pockets).
All this graphic and aesthetic section is used to tell a story located in moments after the events of XCOM 2, specifically, five years after it. We are part of the Chimera Squad, an elite squad that is in charge of putting "peace" – based on shots – in City 31. So far everything "normal". However, after completing the first mission, a tragic terrorist event occurs that we have to investigate. And this is where the revelry begins.
Although all part of the same story, that is, that funeral event, it could be said that Chimera Squad is made up of three different campaigns. As soon as this occurs, history lets you choose between three factions to investigate to find a solution to who has been able to carry out such action. The key argument is that each of these factions to investigate has its own plot, secondary missions, etc., so that the initial "tragic event" remains in the background, yes, but is not diluted by the proposals being investigated; in fact, it influences them to show a melting pot of positions and debates around humans and aliens.
It is still a complex resource. It has already been seen in other productions that when you bet too much on secondary schools, forgetting the main one is more than feasible. However, here they are all intertwined, to such an extent that when this first “line of investigation” is finished (campaign one, two or three; you can choose the one you want to start with), the game lets you choose one of the other two .
The best thing is that it is an indissoluble unit. Everything happens in the same world as Ciudad 31, a city made up of sectors in which we must prevent the agitation from overwhelming them. If the upheaval goes up a lot in each sector, the anarchy of the city grows. If the anarchy of the city reaches its maximum, the game ends. To alleviate this, the game provides a huge number of real-time strategy tools, functions that RTS lovers will know. And this is where agents come into play.
As with Total War or the previous XCOMs, the game has two well-defined fields. The first is that of city management, as we have already said, that although it is not as complex as in the Creative Assembly productions, it does have a layer of acceptable depth; the second, for its part, is the deployment of the Chimera Squad agents on the battlefield (also in the city, although in a different way).
Shortly after previous installments have been played, most of the concepts will be known: stay on guard, turns for each character, parapets, actions to take, etc. However, there are some developments that are worth noting. One of them is that all missions start with "raids". In other words, we have the advantage on the ground and we choose what to do: enter the machete, activate special abilities, defend yourself, etc. Above the head of each enemy, a percentage, critical chance, etc. This sounds, doesn't it? Of course, the rivals can also respond, so be careful.
From here, the game shows off the brand's hallmarks, but being more in the future than ever before takes advantage of it with primarily dystopian abilities: Zionic powers – like the Mass Effect biotics – extraterrestrial creatures with commands like spitting poison, futuristic weapons, etc. And of course, each mission, which in turn can be made up of several raids, offers experience and additions to improve agents (and, by the way, the game tries to get you to take the peaceful and non-lethal route to enemies, since this grants "extras").
It is an amalgam of concepts that really suits you, especially considering that the title also requires us to choose very different agents from each other, each one oriented to a type of mission or to combine them with mastery together. Rules of the past, but adapted to the context in which it is situated to give a story that can last us between 15 and 20 hours depending on the expertise controlling the city.
CONCLUSION
XCOM: Chimera Squad does not invent anything, but it is that everything that appears on the screen is executed in a remarkable way. Good graphic and technical section in general. A house brand gameplay that adapts to the plot you are telling. A story that delves into the complexities of human – extraterrestrial relations with a terrorist attack behind us that we must investigate. In short, an XCOM that, to top it all, comes at a reduced price.
THE BEST
- Fun, direct and executing every thing that he proposes in a remarkable way.
- Great technical and graphic section.
- History captures and fulfills.
WORST
- That if you come directly from the previous ones (played recently), perhaps some functions seem short.
- The difficulty curve, in some specific missions, is excessive and can be frustrating.
Very good
Game with a remarkable finish that we will enjoy and remember. A good purchase, highly recommended for lovers of the genre. It is well cared for at all levels.
