Earth. It's what's for dinner. Or at least that seems to be the motto of the Earth-invading sectoids getting set to blitz us in XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Whether or not they have their own silver-tounged version of Matthew McConaughey narrating lustful voiceovers about succulent human flesh - that remains to be seen.
Thankfully, especially after our curiosity-piquing XCOM: Enemy Unknown PAX East preview, some equally succulent details are arriving about the strategic RTS/RPG as Firaxis gears up for E3. Not only are new gameplay morsels and screenshots coming out of an opening tutorial for the game, but a new release date (alongside pre-order bonus information) is positioning it to launch a bit earlier than expected.
Publisher 2K Games has announced that XCOM: Enemy Unknown will be hitting North American shelves on October 9th (October 12th internationally) - another possible move by parent company Take Two (who recently bumped up Dishonored) to fill up the looming quarterly revenue void from Bioshock: Infinite's delay.
At the same time, though, the Elite Soldier Pack was revealed for those who want to pre-order the game at "participating retailers." Here's the content list, which explains some of the cool customization perks players will receive:
- Classic X-COM Soldier: Players will instantly receive a new recruit in their barracks inspired by the original X-COM: UFO Defense. The iconic soldier with the blonde, flattop hairstyle will return in his full glory, modernized with the rest of the XCOM universe.
- Soldier Deco packs: Players can customize their soldier with several aesthetic upgrades to armor suits, including the new Hyperion and Reaper soldier armor kits.
- Complete color customization: A variety of colors and tints for all armor sets in the game allow players complete control to customize their squad's look.
In all fairness to the XCOM FPS coming out of 2K Marin, Firaxis' adherence to the game's 1994 roots is apparent at every turn (no pun intended) in Enemy Unknown, and longtime fans would be disappointed if they didn't have the proper time to develop a quality product. Perhaps it will help, then, that the developer also had some new gameplay details seep out with the below screenshots (showcasing the besieged-Germany tutorial and some new box art) and video (describing home base excavation system).
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httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKAXNMRPg6k&feature=topics
Dubbed the "ant farm" for the way humans are burrowing away underground to make their stand, the base is capable of appearing to players in giant cutaway form, with custom-built room after custom-built room offering specialized uses for combat resources and technology. The continent players choose to construct their strongholds on will also govern the unique discount bonuses possible for affording such work.
Out in the field is where Firaxis wants the game's deep strategy and gameplay layers to intersect, and the screenshots reveal that we can expect to have jetpack armor as an available loadout. Plasma/laser weaponry is noticeable as well, which, according to the developer, is derived from alien technology nabbed in combat and taken back to the base for research.
Our aforementioned preview discussed many of the ways new and old collide in Enemy Unknown to create a modern RTS that maintains its footing in classic structure. How jetpacks will affect the traditional mobility of players in singular turn remains to be seen - but we definitely can't wait to get a hold of the game when we head to E3 this June.
Ranters, will XCOM: Enemy Unknown be on your short list for the month of October? What do you want to see from the game at E3, as the game looks primed for a big showing?
XCOM: Enemy Unknown will release on October 9th, 2012 for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.
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Source: Gamespy