XCOM Incomming

For the record this is not a paid promotion. Shame. I am doing this because I am a bit of an XCOM fanboy. There are few computer game franchises that have caught my imagination as much as UFO Enemy Unknown and the subsequent XCOM games.

Most of my personal tabletop life has been heavily inspired by a variety of computer games.

Skyrim, Fallout and Atomfall being the biggest, although I am currently tempted to do a Dredge game. The granddaddy and first real gaming love is Enemy Unknown. I recall pulling some sickies to play the game. All of the main games have become a temporary obsession at various points. But not X-COM Interceptor. Least said about that the better. 🧐

I have tried a number of times to set something up for myself. Although I was reasonably happy with what I did, there was a lot I didn't do. Stuff that was really needed to make it work. There is a nice, if UK centric, game planned out in my head. Very much on Gerry Anderson's UFO TV series of the 1970s.

Modiphius have now taken the planning out of the equation. Planning not really my long suit these days. 

The figures look pretty good. I am guessing that they will be in the 32-35mm range like much of what they do. This was more of a problem for me when Star Wars Legion came out but I am a few larger scale games down the line now. It seems to be starting with six squaddies in various roles.  Sectoids, Sectoid Commanders, Thin Men, Outsiders, Floaters, Chrysalids, and Seekers are all mentioned as part of the initial release. Not sure about a starter box or contents of sets yet but would assume something along the line of Fallout/Skyrim.

Coming down the line are S.H.I.V.’s, XCOM Veterans in various armours, Mutons, Berserkers and Elites, Cyberdiscs, Drones, Mechtoids, MEC Troopers, Heavy Floaters, Ethereals, Sectopods, and our friends from EXALT. My guess would be that these will arrive in the order they appear in the game. This would put Sectopods and Mutton Elites towards the end of the queue.

I've played a bit of 5 Parsecs from Home, which appears to be the core of the rules. They are a solid set of what I have been told is adventure wargames rules. So should make a great base for the game. I really want to know how they are going to do tech acquisition and character development. Will it be closer to XCOM or to 5 Parsecs?

So far they have concentrated on the pretty, pretty. Just a few glamour shots.  Looks like we might need to wait for the pre-order for some more details. This is going to be in July. Guess the summer holiday will have to wait 🤭. Seriously, this is going to play second fiddle to the summer holidays. Love XCOM but not as much as my daughter.

I should be in adult child minding at Phalanx today. But out watching my daughter do soft play instead. Much more fun and involves less physical labour. I've already had my father's day card and a Toblerone so big it might be used as an offensive weapon. I also got a dog dad mug. From my daughter. Who is probably a bit young to understand that I don't really qualify as a dog dad. Having a child and not having a dog.🤣