X Com Ufo Defense (1994)(Microprose Software Inc) Game

X-COM: UFO Defense (also known as UFO: Enemy Unknown) can be considered one of the great-grandfathers of turn-based tactical games. Players take control of the organization known as the Extraterrestrial Combat Unit in order to fight and eventually eliminate the alien threat on Earth.

The main gameplay of X-COM is quite complex, and can be divided into two major parts: research/development and combat. The first part allows players to build their own base of operations in any part of the world - this location should be selected carefully, as economically strong countries (such as the USA) provide more funding compared to others. This base can be used for a variety of things: recruiting soldiers for battle, buying equipment and other necessities, building additional upgrades and researching new technology (including captured alien technology). To put it simply, this is the place where players can prepare in advance for the battles fought against the alien forces - which takes us to the other major part of gameplay: battles.

Once an Unidentified Flying Object shows up on the radar, players have the option to pursue it and possibly shoot it down. After arriving at the crash site, the battle begins in a turn-based fashion. The player's soldiers take their positions on the field and explore the area for any surviving aliens - the soldiers are controlled one by one, and all of their actions (moving, shooting, and so on) use up Time Units. When the player depletes his/her Time Units, the turn ends. One of the most unique parts of combat is the ability to use so-called "reaction shots": when an enemy enters the soldier's field of vision, he will automatically attempt to take a shot at it. This allows players to set up their soldiers in defensive positions in order to avoid ambushes. The aliens are quite formidable opponents, and since every single action uses Time Units, precision and careful planning is required - especially in earlier segments of the game, when a careless move will more likely result in casaulties.

All in all, X-COM: UFO Defense is a thrilling experience, and a must-play for gamers who want a challenge and are not intimidated by the rather outdated graphics.