X-COM: Apocalypse

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X-COM: Apocalypse is a strategy game set in a dystopian future where humanity is protected by the X-COM organization from alien threats. Players must manage resources, research new technologies, and command a squad of soldiers in turn-based combat against extraterrestrial enemies. The game takes place in a single city, Mega Primus, and offers a non-linear story with multiple endings.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 554 reviews

story17 positive mentions

stability18 negative mentions

X-COM: Apocalypse offers a unique blend of real-time and turn-based combat, allowing players to choose their preferred style of gameplay.
The game features a complex cityscape with various factions, providing a rich environment for strategic decision-making and resource management.
The destructible environments and the ability to raid enemy factions add depth and excitement to the gameplay, making each mission feel dynamic and engaging.

The game suffers from bugs and crashes, particularly the 'insert CD' error, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration.
The graphics and user interface feel dated, which may deter new players who are accustomed to modern visuals and smoother controls.
The steep learning curve and lack of tutorials can make it difficult for newcomers to grasp the game's mechanics and fully enjoy the experience.

story
102 mentions
17 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story in the game presents an intriguing premise involving an alien threat and the use of personal teleporters, but it suffers from inconsistencies and a lack of depth, particularly in the later missions which feel repetitive and stereotypical. While some players appreciate the complex narrative and the freedom to approach missions in various ways, others find the execution lacking, with technical issues and a rushed development leading to a somewhat unfinished experience. Overall, the game offers a mix of engaging elements and frustrating shortcomings in its storytelling.
- “A wonderful old strategy game with a fun story and an interesting strategic layer.”
- “The plot itself is a bit more clear, with the intro setting the stage pretty clearly and a very visible end goal in your sight from the very start of the campaign as you can already see the portals to the alien dimension and are tasked with finding a way to get there and end the threat.”
- “Excellent classic of the XCOM series, initial reservations when it first ever released but very quickly came to love the style and depth of story.”
- “I had to exploit the game in many ways, and use all sorts of third-party tools, someone else's saves, and hacks to get through the softlocks, glitches, and tough parts. After I beat the final mission, the game did not give me the ending cutscene... technically I didn't even beat the game, but I beat the final mission and that's already way too much. I don't think it was worth all my effort at all.”
- “Storywise, I found that the game was quite lacking by its end and the last missions were really stereotypical and mostly boring.”
- “When you enter the end game, you are already so powerful that you get little challenge from the aliens and the final mission quickly becomes a simple boring chore to perform.”
graphics
90 mentions
12 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated and subpar by modern standards, often described as retro or reminiscent of the 1990s, with some users noting a lack of polish and clarity. While the vibrant colors and unique art style evoke a nostalgic charm, many players find the visuals unappealing and glitchy, particularly on newer systems. Despite these criticisms, some reviewers appreciate the game's atmosphere and gameplay, suggesting that the graphics should not deter players who value depth and strategy over visual fidelity.
- “I love the retro graphics.”
- “The art style is a bright, bombastic, and frankly insane art deco mess capped off with fleshy, horrific aliens.”
- “The amount of detail they put into making the world, all the items, weapons, equipment, vehicles, aliens, enemies, entities, factions, right down to level design and overworld design - this game will have you totally immersed, whether or not you care for the graphics.”
- “Admittedly, the graphics may not meet today's standards, the controls can be a bit clunky, and the combat is so 'XCOM'-like (you know how it is with 95% shots missed).”
- “The most common enemy that you will encounter looks like a scaly cookie monster and the main graphics won't win any awards.”
- “Comparisons aside, the UI is a disgrace, the game graphics bear no improvement (I'm being generous) on the first of the series even though this chapter came 3 years later.”
gameplay
59 mentions
17 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is characterized by a blend of turn-based and real-time mechanics, offering a deep and strategic experience that appeals to fans of the X-COM series. While some players appreciate the detailed tactical options and the focus on a single city, others note issues with balance and interface. Overall, it is praised for its satisfying complexity and innovative features, despite its dated graphics and occasional technical problems.
- “Very satisfying gameplay with different types of aliens.”
- “A myriad of strategic options, complex tactical gameplay even by today's standards, and the ability to switch between turn-based and real-time combat.”
- “The gameplay holds up, and if you’re a fan of other games in the series, Apocalypse is a great addition.”
- “The core mechanics are present, but the rough interface causes pain points in almost every area.”
- “Some basic gameplay features that work everywhere now, such as tutorial or underdog difficulty level, aren't applied.”
- “Sure, the graphics were not that good, even at release; the optional real-time mode is not much more than a gimmick, but it is not hard to appreciate the 'inner beauty' of the gameplay once you get into it.”
music
31 mentions
39 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience with both energetic action tracks and ominous background themes. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke tension and a sense of danger, reminiscent of classic titles, while some note that it can become repetitive during extended gameplay. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's unsettling tone and engaging atmosphere.
- “The music and design of the aliens are fantastic!”
- “The 'action music' is energetic, but it's the atmospheric background music, also heard when no alien fight is happening, that really wins me over.”
- “The graphics may look odd at first glance, but this game has a really nice and deep atmosphere, great creepy music, and the overall feeling that you are just a weak group against something really powerful and there's danger anywhere all the time.”
- “The combat music is also tense, but tends to get kinda annoying late in the game with 'auuuuuggghhh's in your headphones.”
- “The original X-COM games always had creepy music that added immensely to the unsettling tone and atmosphere.”
- “I usually play with the sounds on and the music off.”
stability
19 mentions
16 % positive mentions
-11 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally criticized, with users reporting a range of bugs from minor glitches to game-breaking issues, including freezes and crashes. While some players note that it is not as problematic as other notorious titles, the overall experience is marred by frequent technical difficulties, particularly in the DOSBox port. Despite its nostalgic value and decent gameplay, many reviewers find the instability frustrating enough to hinder their enjoyment and recommend caution before playing.
- “Runs great on newer machines.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
- “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
- “I've encountered dozens of all sorts of glitches from minor to game-breaking ones.”
- “I had to exploit the game in many ways, and use all sorts of third-party tools, someone else's saves, and hacks to get through the soft locks, glitches, and tough parts. After I beat the final mission, the game did not give me the ending cutscene... technically I didn't even beat the game, but I beat the final mission, and that's already way too much. I don't think it was worth all my effort at all.”
- “The anti-UFO combat is nearly game-breakingly buggy, as your tanks and planes often clip into the ground and die whenever terrain around them gets shot.”
atmosphere
13 mentions
54 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, enhanced by energetic action music and haunting background scores that evoke a sense of dread and tension. Reviewers highlight its unique blend of cyberpunk art style and horror elements, creating a dystopian environment that remains unmatched even decades after its release. Despite some criticisms regarding alien design, the overall ambiance effectively conveys the feeling of vulnerability against a powerful adversary, making it a standout experience in the X-COM franchise.
- “The atmospheric background music, also heard when no alien fight is happening, really wins me over.”
- “25 years later and the atmosphere of this game is still unmatched - best X-COM game of all time, even if only for the optional real-time combat.”
- “The graphics may look odd at first glance, but this game has a really nice and deep atmosphere, great creepy music, and an overall feeling that you are just a weak group against something really powerful, with danger lurking everywhere.”
- “Atmosphere, that's what's gone.”
- “I do love this game, I do prefer it to UFO or TFTD and I really wish it could be remade with a modern engine, but I do accept it is easy, lacking atmosphere and aliens.”
- “The bad things are that the alien design and atmosphere of the game is weird, bad-weird.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of absurdity and satire, with players encountering comically designed enemies and situations that highlight the ridiculousness of corporate opposition. The game features amusing scenarios, such as powerful players causing formidable ships to flee in a humorous manner, and the overall experience is enhanced by a blend of funny visuals and exaggerated explosive action. However, some technical issues, like resolution problems, may detract from the comedic experience for certain players.
- “It's not just you vs. aliens; this can be a funny, interesting, and painful experience when corporations are against you.”
- “Somewhat funny enemies (they look like candy monsters, more adorable than terrifying).”
- “The squad tactics are rather satisfying with quite a variety of nasty enemies, fully destructible environments, and hilariously inappropriate amounts of high explosive ordinance.”
replayability
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its dynamic elements, randomization, and extensive customization options, allowing players to experience varied gameplay each time. With a thorough guide and numerous strategies to master, players can invest over a hundred hours while continually discovering new tactics and easter eggs. Overall, it is regarded as immensely replayable and a favorite among players.
- “Immensely replayable and customizable, excellent strategy and tech trees, and the satisfaction of graduating from just barely hanging on to utterly unstoppable... yup, one of my favorite games of all time.”
- “This game is highly advanced and takes time to master, but has literally unlimited replayability.”
- “Massive replayability with a game that can easily take over a hundred hours to complete.”
- “Very dynamic with a lot of replay value (some fixed enemy progression and city plans, everything else random).”
grinding
5 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be time-consuming and tedious, often leading to frustration and incomplete playthroughs. While some may enjoy the sprawling maps and large firefights, the lack of in-game explanations and excessive micromanagement contribute to a sense of monotony.
- “However, the sprawling maps and huge firefights of the apocalypse make this a time-consuming and tedious prospect.”
- “As much as I love this game and its quirks, the tedious finale kept me from ever completing a full playthrough for literal decades.”
- “To some people this might be fun, but once again, it is never explained in-game and is very tedious.”
optimization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for performance stutters and an unpleasant mouse and scroll experience, indicating that the DOSBox port is not well-optimized.
- “This DOSBox port is not properly optimized.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the emotional payoff of the game, feeling that the lengthy investment of time culminates in a lackluster conclusion, characterized by a static screen and minimal acknowledgment of their efforts. While some appreciate the change in scale and the absence of repetitive elements, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment in the emotional engagement and resolution.
- “Changing the world map scale from the entire earth to a single large metropolis made me feel there were no repetitive elements from the previous game.”