XCOM An early look at the classic strategy reboot

BioShock 2 developer 2K Marin's re-imagining of classic strategy series X-COM is a first-person Shooter set in 1950s America that aims to take the franchise in a new but familiar direction. An unknown alien threat looms over the U.S. and it is up to the XCOM organization to stop it. In the hands-off demo, special agent William Carter and two other officials embark on a mission in a neighborhood straight out of Leave it to Beaver. A trail of black sludge leads to an upper-middle class home under attack by what appear to be sentient oil slicks. Research photos are snapped on the way, an important gameplay element that will help XCOM scientist find more efficient ways to defeat the threat. Weapons spawned from field research include the blobatov (a Molotov cocktail-like weapon) and a lighting gun that can stun groups of enemies. The agents use these weapons in the explosive battle against the sludge, forcing their way through the home and rescuing an endangered housewife in the process. The fight for survival moves outside as a morphing alien obelisk reduces the number of agents to one. Though an early build, 2K Marin's latest presentation showing off their character models, level aesthetics, and unique weapon design has made XCOM one to watch. Release: 2011.....Platform: Xbox 360, PC