XCOM: Chimera Squad has set a high standard in the turn-based strategy genre with its unique blend of tactical combat, engaging story, and diverse characters. However, if you're seeking a fresh experience that offers similar gameplay elements or challenges, we've got you covered. In this article, we delve into five alternative games that are bound to captivate fans of XCOM: Chimera Squad.
1. Invisible, Inc.
First on our list is Invisible, Inc., developed by Klei Entertainment. Known for their high-quality indie games like Don't Starve and Mark of the Ninja, Klei brings their unique touch to the turn-based tactics genre with this title.
Gameplay
Invisible, Inc.'s gameplay revolves around stealth and infiltration. Each level is procedurally generated, which means no two playthroughs will be alike. You control agents from an Espionage agency who must hack systems and sneak past guards to achieve their objectives.
Story & Setting
Set in a dystopian future where corporations rule the world, Invisible Inc puts players in control of operators working for an agency known as Invisible. The game's intriguing storyline involves rescuing captured agents and stealing corporate secrets before an all-powerful AI becomes fully operational.
2. Phoenix Point
Next up is Phoenix Point by Snapshot Games - a brainchild of Julian Gollop, one of the original creators of the X-COM series. It combines elements from both classic turn-based tactics games and modern iterations for a unique gaming experience.
Gameplay
Phoenix Point takes tactical combat to new heights with its inventive mechanics like destructible environments and an aiming system that allows for precision shots. The game also features a geoscape mode where you manage resources, research new technologies, and respond to global threats.
Story & Setting
Phoenix Point's story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic Earth overrun by an alien virus. As the leader of the eponymous Phoenix Project, your goal is to unite the disparate human factions, investigate the origins of the virus, and ultimately save humanity.
3. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden from developer The Bearded Ladies combines turn-based combat with real-time exploration and stealth mechanics for a truly unique hybrid experience.
Gameplay
Road to Eden introduces an exploration phase where players can scout areas, set up ambushes, or avoid combat altogether. Once you engage in combat, it switches into a turn-based mode similar to XCOM but with added elements like cover and environmental hazards.
Story & Setting
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where civilization has collapsed and mutants roam free, Road to Eden tells the story of a group of these mutants as they explore the wasteland searching for salvation known as "Eden."
4. Gears Tactics
Gears Tactics takes the beloved third-person shooter franchise and transforms it into a compelling turn-based strategy game that retains all the cinematic action and character-driven storytelling that fans love about Gears of War series.
Gameplay
The gameplay marries traditional tactical elements with signature Gears mechanics like cover shooting and execution moves. You control squads of soldiers who must navigate through enemy-infested maps completing objectives while managing their ammo and health.
Story & Setting
Gears Tactics is set in the popular Gears of War universe, 12 years before the first game. It follows the story of Gabriel Diaz, as he undertakes a mission to hunt down and eliminate a monstrous new threat.
5. BattleTech
Rounding out our list is BattleTech, developed by Harebrained Schemes. This game offers a unique twist on turn-based tactics genre by focusing on mech combat.
Gameplay
In BattleTech, you control a squad of giant mechs in tactical battles across various landscapes. The gameplay involves managing heat levels, positioning for optimal damage, and making strategic use of your limited action points each turn.
Story & Setting
Set in the rich BattleTech universe, the game follows a mercenary commander leading their mech lance in an interstellar civil war. As you progress through the campaign, you upgrade your mechs and recruit skilled pilots to take on increasingly challenging missions.
Each of these games offers something unique while still providing satisfying tactical combat experiences that fans of XCOM: Chimera Squad will appreciate. Whether it's stealthy espionage operations or epic mech battles, these titles are sure to deliver hours of strategic fun.