Phoenix Point - Behemoth Edition (PS4)

Phoenix Point: Behemoth Edition kann insgesamt nicht ganz am Genre-Vorbild XCOM vorbeiziehen, hat aber genug Identität um daneben locker zu bestehen. Grafisch und technisch nicht ganz auf der Höhe der Zeit, bietet es doch innerhalb der Züge mehr taktische Tiefe und lässt einem durch den Wegfall des Rundenlimits auch mehr Ruhe.

Phoenix Point is a good try at capturing some of that XCOM magic, but it falls short of being great. I found myself enjoying the experience, but at the same time, couldn’t help feel that something was missing. Hopefully it’s something that can improve in a sequel, if it ever comes.

Phoenix Point has plenty of bold new ideas for the XCOM genre, but not all of them have the same level of shine. It can feel a bit unwieldy at times, a bit less user-friendly than you'd hope. But it's a game that feels more concerned with experimentation than perfection, that's more interested in discovering new paths to take than walking one that's already well-trodden. As a hybrid tactical/strategy game, it's dynamic and deep with the occasionally disorientating misfire along the way. As a contribution to the genre XCOM first defined, it's a well-aimed shot.

Phoenix Point's more complex take on the classic X-COM formula has some great ideas, but most of them feel experimental and in need of fine-tuning and balance.

Even though it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, at the end of the day, strategy fans – and certainly XCOM fans – will enjoy the improvements that Phoenix Point makes, especially if this is just the beginning.