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Altar Interactive’s UFO: Aftermath is a wonderfully refreshing mix of global strategy, real time squad based tactical combat that can be paused and elements of an RPG which makes each loss of a squad member a great loss indeed.

This was definately one title I was excited to get my hands on. I figured if it came close to the style of XCOM while improving the graphics it should be well worth having. When I finally received the preview of the game I was absolutely amazed. The storyline of this game has much more depth than XCOM. The removal of action points for movement and the introduction of real time combat, as well as the improved research tree and introduction of a global strategic threat to overcome all combine to make UFO: Aftermath likely be in the running for strategy game of the year.

The opening scene, although without any words until the end, is both moving and informative. Aliens arrived in orbit over Earth and refused all attempts at contact. These ships released spores into the atmosphere which blocked out the sun. After a week, the spores rained down upon the Earth and wiped out all macroscale life. Pockets of humanity which had holed up in underground bunkers emerged after a few days with a deep desire for revenge. You lead the paramilitary team designated to fight back against the invaders. You outfit your men originally with terrestrial weapons and armor, but eventually have the ability to outfit your men with the weapons and armor salvaged from enemy corpses or those that have been modified for more effective use. Fairly regular alien sorties and intrusions will show up in the area and it’s your team’s duty to facilitate the removal of the invaders. Less regularly, a UFO will land, crash after being shot down, or a base will be invaded, either yours or theirs. During the battles, you may pause the game and give the members of your team orders after which you unpause and your team follows the orders in real time.

After winning a few battles in an area, you will gain a base there. These bases you may make military (you may send your chopper out from there with your troops), research (increases the speed of research and development), engineering (where you can make more weapons and armor that you research), or anti-biomass (which assists you in deterring the quickly growing enemy territory). The research portion of the game should be very familiar to fans of XCOM although it has been greatly increased in scale. Fighters are not outfitted directly by the player but automatically by the game and may be sent out numerous times despite any losses suffered. Another difference in the game is that only one team may be put together. The reason for this is fairly obvious when you see how few recruits you receive, but once the game progresses a while it becomes impossible to accept every mission.

The graphics for the game are outright amazing. Although the camera angles are a little difficult to modify at first, once the controls are understood the graphic complexity of UFO: Aftermath can be fully appreciated. Most portions of the environment may be modified by actions of the squad (mostly destruction by explosion or conflagration) including walls and vehicles. I had quite a bit of fun using a rocket launcher to destroy cars while happening to hit an enemy every once in a while. Sound is adequate for the game with stirring background music, decently realistic sound effects, but slightly annoying responses from your squad members when they pause the game to take an action.

I am definately looking forward to playing the full version of UFO: Aftermath. A new spin on the typical squad turn based tactical game gives this game a definite claim to best strategy game of the year. I would suggest UFO: Aftermath for any fan of strategy or tactical warfare games.