UFO: Aftershock
- April 16, 2014
- ALTAR Interactive
- 100h median play time
Get on SteamIn "UFO: Aftershock," you lead a ragtag group of survivors in a post-alien invasion world. As the commander of the human resistance, you must reclaim Earth by building bases, researching technology, and managing resources. Navigate a complex geopolitical landscape, forge alliances, and engage in turn-based combat against a range of hostile alien creatures. Your decisions will shape the fate of humanity in this challenging sci-fi strategy game.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a lot of fun with tactical battles and squad development, reminiscent of classic XCOM gameplay.
- Despite its age, the graphics and gameplay mechanics still hold up well, providing a unique experience with a variety of weapons and movement options.
- The game has a deep and engaging story with plenty of replayability, especially for fans of the UFO series and tactical strategy games.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and compatibility issues, particularly with modern hardware, making it unplayable for many users.
- The gameplay can become repetitive and grindy, especially in the later stages, leading to a loss of interest.
- The lengthy campaign can feel drawn out, with some players expressing frustration over the pacing and difficulty spikes.
- story31 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its depth and the emergence of unique narratives during gameplay, reminiscent of classic UFO titles. However, some critiques highlight issues with repetitive missions and a convoluted plot involving space organisms, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game offers a solid narrative framework that intertwines with its strategic mechanics and mission variety.
“The UFO series was what kept us going in the dry spell between X-COM games, and personally, I think the story of these ones has more to it than the new X-COMs.”
“It's a pretty solid game, with plenty of emergent storylines that will make you love the game, like the old UFO games.”
“Story: not much to say that isn't spoiling the major plot points that you uncover, but it seems pretty well-written and thought out.”
“Out of all the UFO: After series, I find this one the least enjoyable, mostly because of a convoluted story involving space organisms and time-based triggers, which forces you to go through many repetitive missions while waiting.”
“As soon as you think you're near the end, you find yourself facing a whole string of repetitive missions to endure, and that happens twice.”
“The story doesn't offer much that isn't a spoiler for the major plot points you uncover, but it seems pretty well-written and thought out.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as dated yet still holding up well compared to similar titles, featuring a distinct apocalyptic aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. However, issues with the graphics engine and poor optimization for integrated graphics cards detract from the enjoyment for some players, leading to a mixed reception regarding visual quality and stability. Overall, while the visuals have aged reasonably well, they are marred by technical problems and generic character designs.
“The graphics, while dated, still stand up today against many other similar games.”
“As for graphics, I think they are pretty good, because they have their own theme: an apocalyptic dystopian look, with all the industrial equipment left around the areas where you do missions.”
“Graphics: they've aged pretty well for a game from that era, to be honest.”
“Some error with graphics engine.”
“Samish maps, generic characters, poor even for its age graphics/sound/music, and stating it generously, poor stability all combine to make this game as much if not more of a chore than its enjoyability merits.”
“Doesn't appear to work at all with integrated graphics cards, even those which would meet spec.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its fun mechanics and unique features, offering a deeper strategic experience compared to similar titles, though some players find the learning curve steep due to complex systems. While the game has a solid foundation and significant replayability, with many hours of content available, there are calls for a remaster to modernize its outdated elements. Overall, it combines squad-based real-time strategy with innovative gameplay aspects, but some users feel it remains unfinished in design.
“A great game, fun gameplay, great music, no in-game shop.”
“Unique mechanics, deeper overworld strategy than similar games, and an interesting take on the well-beaten horse of alien invasion stories.”
“This is a decent RTS that rivals most recent releases and for a game nearly 10 years old, it has fantastic playability and easily 60-100 hours of gameplay.”
“In addition to this, the game is decades old and in dire need of a remaster to update its software and gameplay elements.”
“After about 1800 hours of gameplay, I have come to the conclusion that this game is not finished in its design and it is criminally wrong that it is even on the market.”
“Mechanics: without referencing other games, which is often lazy, on missions it's a squad-based real-time strategy that you can pause and speed up/slow down as needed.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game "Aftershock" is reported to have significant stability issues, with numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly due to its complex mechanics like equipment sharing. While some users note improvements over time, the overall consensus is that the game remains buggy and may not function as intended.
“However, as the many unjustified reviews will say, there are bugs and glitches in Aftershock that have the potential to ruin games.”
“A lot of the extra complexity causes glitches, like equipment sharing across different squads.”
“Buyer beware: probably the biggest issue I'd like to mention is that it's buggy.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as pleasant and enjoyable, enhancing the gameplay experience without being intrusive. However, some users feel that the overall sound quality, along with graphics and stability issues, detracts from the game's appeal.
“A great game with fun gameplay and great music, with no in-game shop.”
“The soundtrack is pleasant enough that it doesn't intrude on the experience.”
“The music is generic and forgettable, failing to enhance the overall experience of the game.”
“Even for its age, the sound and music quality are disappointing, making the gameplay feel tedious.”
“The soundtrack lacks variety and creativity, which detracts from the immersion and enjoyment of the game.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's high replayability, noting the abundance of strategies available both in battles and outside of combat, making it a worthwhile investment.
“Worth every penny with tons of replayability.”
“There are many strategies in battle and out of combat which will guarantee replayability.”
“Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying feel pointless.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally feel that the missions offer enough variety to prevent the experience from feeling like grinding, keeping the gameplay engaging and fresh.
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players note that the game's optimization is reflected in the progression system, where squad members gain experience through completed missions, leading to improved performance over time. This mechanic enhances gameplay by rewarding player investment and strategy.
“As you complete missions, your squad members gain experience, which will gradually increase their performance.”
“The optimization of character abilities allows for a more tailored gameplay experience.”
“I love how the game encourages strategic planning to maximize resource management and efficiency.”
