XCOM: Enemy Unknown Plus

Game Overview

XCOM: Enemy Unknown Plus splits its gameplay into two distinct, deeply engaging layers: base management and tactical combat. At the Geoscape base, players direct scientific research, manufacture experimental weaponry, interrogate captured alien specimens, and monitor worldwide threat levels to keep panicked nations from withdrawing funding and abandoning the council.

When a UFO lands or terror strikes break out, the game shifts to a tactical turn-based perspective. Players command small squads of soldiers across destructible environments, utilizing cover systems, flanking maneuvers, and specialized class abilities (such as Assault, Support, Heavy, and Sniper) to overcome superior alien forces. Notably, the "Plus" version adapts the core experience—incorporating elements and content from the Enemy Within expansion framework—into a dedicated digital release for the PlayStation Vita, making it a monumental achievement for strategy fans on a handheld system.

Quick Specifications

• Release Date: March 22, 2016 (North America / Europe)

• Developer: Firaxis Games / Virtuos

• Publisher: 2K Games

• Platform: PlayStation Vita

• Genre: Turn-Based Strategy / Tactical RPG

• Player(s): 1 Player (Single-player)

• Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

• Rating: ESRB: M (Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence)

Key Features

• Deep Tactical Combat: Command squads of specialized soldiers in tense, turn-based skirmishes where positioning, line-of-sight, and environmental cover mean the difference between life and death.

• Strategic Base Management: Excavate and expand your underground headquarters, build laboratories and workshops, and manage global satellite coverage to stave off alien invasion.

• Research & Development: Capture alien tech to unlock powerful new weapons, armor upgrades, and psi-ionic abilities that turn the tide of war.

• Permadeath Stakes: Every soldier matters. Fallen comrades are lost forever, adding profound emotional weight and tactical caution to every mission.

• Handheld Optimization: Experience a full-fledged AAA strategy classic meticulously redesigned with control layouts tailored specifically for the PlayStation Vita.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q: Does XCOM: Enemy Unknown Plus include the Enemy Within expansion content?

A: Yes, the "Plus" version for the PS Vita integrates core gameplay elements, maps, and features introduced in the Enemy Within expansion (such as medal systems and select tactical options), packaged under the Enemy Unknown name.

Q: Is the game available physically or digitally?

A: XCOM: Enemy Unknown Plus was released exclusively as a digital download title through the PlayStation Network (PSN) store and did not receive a standard physical cartridge release.

Q: How do the controls work on the PS Vita?

A: The game maps the complex PC/console command scheme onto the PS Vita's buttons, dual analog sticks, and touchscreen elements, allowing you to seamlessly move units, manage cameras, and execute orders.

Q: Is permadeath enforced in the game?

A: By default, yes—if a soldier dies on the battlefield, they are gone for good. However, you can adjust difficulty settings or use tactical saves if you prefer a more forgiving experience.