Info about Phoenix Point:

Official game description:
Phoenix Point is the acclaimed strategy game from the creator of X-COM, now with Steam Workshop support!  
The Earth has been overrun. A mutating, alien menace threatens the last remnants of mankind. Only the Phoenix Project, a secret organization of the best minds and bravest soldiers left on earth, can repel the invasion and reverse the inevitable. The Phoenix Project looks to you for leadership. Research and develop new technologies, explore a ravaged globe, build your bases, manage resources, and dominate the battlefield.  
Just remember: you're not alone out there. Factions, including the corporatist New Jericho, the indecisive Synedrion, and the fanatical Disciples of Anu, as well as a variety of offshoot subfactions, have their own values, goals, and view of the Pandorans. Work with these factions via Phoenix Point's diplomacy system, use subterfuge to steal what you need from them, or simply crush all around you with military might. No matter what you choose, victory won't be easy.  
**Phoenix Point Features:**  
*   **Tons of Content:** Over two years of updates, upgrades, fixes, and new content suggested by our community, including Steam Workshop support for subscribing and enabling mods, tweaking existing mods, and setting up your game the way you want to play. Try our example 'Custom Campaign' mod to set up new unique campaigns.  
*   **Mutating Alien Menace:** Face down an ever-changing alien threat that adapts to your tactics and offers no respite even as your team becomes more powerful and technologically advanced.  
*   **Uncover the Secrets of the Pandoravirus:** Engage with a complex narrative, complete with multiple endings that the player can only uncover via several playthroughs. Explore, research, and discover a secret history, as you learn about the origins of the mutants, the Pandoravirus, and Phoenix Point itself.  
*   **Manage Diplomatic Relations:** The Phoenix Project is not the only organization trying to reclaim the Earth. The militaristic New Jericho, the mystical Disciples of Anu, and the technophiles of Synedrion all offer unique rewards for co-operation and threats for opposition. It is up to you to decide how, or even if, to deal with them.  
*   **Take Aim on the Battlefield:** In addition to equipping and commanding units, Phoenix Point lets you take direct control of your soldier's shots in combat, with a unique free-aiming system. Target enemy weakspots, weapons, or valuables, or just go for center mass.  
*   **Next-Gen Tech with Classic Pedigree:** Phoenix Point was designed by Julian Gollop, the creator of the X-COM series in the 1990s. Integrating the core ethos of X-COM while updating the visuals, technology, and systems to modern standards has made Phoenix Point best-in-class.

Release date: 3 Dec, 2020

Categories: Turn-based Strategy, Base Building, Resource Management, Character Progression, Research and Discovery, Tactical RPG, Political & Espionage Systems, Single-player Story


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent XCOM-like Experience (weight 0.57): Many players praise the game as a worthy spiritual successor and alternative to the XCOM series, often highlighting its improvements and unique elements compared to the Firaxis XCOM titles. It successfully scratches the 'XCOM itch' while offering a fresh experience.
- Engaging Core Gameplay (weight 0.49): The game is generally well-received for its core design, interesting mechanics, and overall enjoyable gameplay experience. Many players find it highly replayable and addictive, appreciating its depth and the thought put into its design.
- Innovative Aiming System (weight 0.23): The free-aiming and body part targeting system is a highly praised innovation. It allows for precise, tactical shooting, reduces frustration from RNG misses, and adds a significant layer of strategic depth to combat by enabling players to disable specific enemy limbs or weapons.
- Improved by Updates & Mods (weight 0.18): The game has significantly improved over time due to patches, DLCs, and especially the 'Terror from the Void' (TFTV) mod. The TFTV mod is frequently cited as essential for a superior experience, fixing many base game issues and enhancing balance, pacing, and content.
- Robust Faction System (weight 0.11): The game's faction system is a strong point, offering diverse factions with unique technologies, soldier classes, and narrative paths. This system adds strategic depth, encourages alliances, and provides varied gameplay experiences.
- Deep Strategic & Tactical Layers (weight 0.05): The game offers significant strategic and tactical depth, particularly on the global map and in combat. The strategic layer provides meaningful choices, and the tactical combat layer is extensive, requiring careful planning.
- Compelling Story & Lore (weight 0.05): The game features a compelling and well-developed story, presented through engaging narrative elements and atmospheric visuals. The overarching narrative and lore contribute to an immersive experience.
- Sandbox Gameplay & Depth (weight 0.04): The game offers a sandbox-style gameplay experience with significant depth, especially when combined with mods. Features like destructible terrain, vehicles, and varied level design contribute to a free-form and enjoyable experience.

Common complaints:
- Unpolished, Repetitive, Inferior to XCOM (weight 0.95): The game is frequently criticized for its overall lack of polish, feeling unfinished, and being repetitive. Many reviewers compare it unfavorably to the XCOM series, citing inferior graphics, animations, UI, and general gameplay experience, suggesting it falls short as a competitor or successor.
- Inconsistent, Punishing Difficulty (weight 0.2): The game suffers from inconsistent and often brutal difficulty spikes, making progression frustrating. Enemies frequently become overpowered, leading to situations where players feel overwhelmed and punished rather than challenged, especially in later stages.
- DLCs Detract from Experience (weight 0.16): Several DLCs, particularly 'Festering Skies' and 'Corrupted Horizons', are widely criticized for negatively impacting the game. They introduce unbalanced enemies, tedious mechanics, and unnecessary busywork, often making the game harder and less enjoyable rather than adding value.
- Flawed Combat & Aiming (weight 0.12): The combat system, particularly the aiming and ballistic mechanics, is a source of frustration. Players report issues with missed shots despite clear aim, confusing hit chances, and a cover system that feels unreliable, leading to unpredictable and unfair engagements.
- Steep Learning Curve (weight 0.09): The game has a steep and unforgiving learning curve, making it difficult for new players to get into. Many core mechanics are poorly explained, leading to confusion, resource scarcity, and overwhelming complexity, especially in the early game.
- Clunky, Confusing UI (weight 0.08): The user interface (UI) is widely criticized for being clunky, confusing, and poorly designed. Players report issues with navigation, cluttered screens, and a general lack of user-friendliness, making routine tasks and overall interaction frustrating.
- Long Enemy Turns (weight 0.07): Enemy turns are excessively long due to numerous units, constant reinforcements, and unskippable animations. This leads to significant waiting times and a feeling of tedium, especially when combined with enemies that have high health or can summon more units.
- Tedious Base Management (weight 0.07): Base management and vehicle handling are often described as tedious and inconvenient. Managing multiple bases, upgrading them, and dealing with vehicle limitations or clutter adds unnecessary busywork without significant strategic depth.
- Frustrating Resource Management (weight 0.06): Resource and equipment management, particularly ammunition, is a major point of frustration. The constant need to manufacture and replenish specific ammo types, coupled with limited inventory slots and high costs, makes it feel like a chore rather than a strategic element.
- Limited Character Customization (weight 0.06): Character customization options are very limited, offering little variety in appearance or meaningful impact on soldier specialization. This lack of personalization contributes to a feeling of generic characters and an uninspired roster.
- Stagnant Research & Progression (weight 0.06): The research and progression systems are problematic, often leading to resource droughts or feeling stagnant. Players report difficulty in prioritizing research, being locked out of key upgrades, and a lack of clear progression, making the mid to late game less engaging.
- Unreliable Overwatch Mechanic (weight 0.05): The overwatch mechanic is frequently criticized for being unreliable and inconsistent. Enemies often bypass overwatch cones or absorb shots with minimal cover, making it difficult to predict and counter enemy movements effectively.

Gameplay feedback:
- XCOM-like Tactical Strategy (weight 0.32): The game is a turn-based tactical strategy game with a global management layer, drawing heavy inspiration from the XCOM series, particularly the older titles. It features base building, research, diplomacy with multiple factions, and squad management.
- Detailed Body Part Damage (weight 0.21): A core combat mechanic is the detailed body part damage system, allowing players to target specific limbs or weapons on enemies. This system applies to both player and enemy units, leading to strategic dismemberment and status effects like bleeding or dazed.
- Evolving Enemy Threat (weight 0.13): Enemies, particularly the Pandorans, evolve over time, gaining increased health, armor, new abilities, and becoming more challenging. This forces players to adapt their tactics and research new technologies to counter the evolving threat.
- Flexible Soldier Customization (weight 0.13): The game offers extensive soldier customization through a multi-class system, allowing players to combine two classes per soldier. This provides significant freedom in creating diverse and specialized soldier builds with various weapons, armor, and unique abilities.
- Vehicles and Tech Progression (weight 0.1): The game incorporates vehicles into both the strategic and tactical layers, allowing for faster world map traversal and deployment in combat missions. It also features a tech tree, research, and equipment manufacturing.
- Complex and Challenging Gameplay (weight 0.09): The game is noted for its high complexity and challenging difficulty, requiring careful planning and a deep understanding of its mechanics. It does not provide much hand-holding and offers significant replayability and long playthroughs.
- Faction Raids and Trade (weight 0.08): Players can interact with factions by raiding their bases for resources, technology, or even aircraft. Good relations with factions can unlock trade and research sharing, providing alternative ways to acquire essential items and advancements.
- Inter-Faction Warfare (weight 0.07): The human factions are dynamic and can go to war with each other, or with the player, based on player actions and their own agendas. This adds a political layer where alliances and rivalries constantly shift.
- Multi-Base Management (weight 0.07): The game features a multi-base management system where players activate and develop multiple bases across the globe. This involves resource management, building facilities, and deploying multiple teams and aircraft.
- Research-Driven Progression (weight 0.06): Game progression is driven by research, often requiring the capture of enemies to unlock new technologies. Missions vary, including resource gathering, base defense, and exploration, all contributing to advancing the plot and technological capabilities.
- Challenging Boss Fights (weight 0.06): The game features multiple endings and challenging boss fights, particularly towards the late game. Final missions often involve large numbers of powerful enemies and unique boss mechanics, requiring strategic approaches.
- Global Time Pressure (weight 0.06): The game incorporates a 'doomsday clock' or world population timer, creating a sense of urgency. While most missions don't have strict time limits, overall time management is crucial for global operations, resource production, and mission prioritization.
- High Enemy Armor (weight 0.05): Enemies can have significant amounts of armor and health, which can scale dramatically throughout the game. This often requires specific weapon types, armor penetration, or targeting vulnerable body parts to effectively deal damage.
- Infinite Enemy Reinforcements (weight 0.05): Many missions feature continuous or infinite enemy reinforcements, often spawning close to player units. This can lead to prolonged battles of attrition and a feeling of being overwhelmed, especially with limited ammunition.
- Underwhelming Grenades (weight 0.05): Grenade launchers are present as heavy weapons, but grenades themselves are often criticized for low damage and poor environmental destruction. There's also a notable issue where effect grenades cannot be loaded into launchers.

Performance notes:
- Performance and Stability Issues (weight 0.11): Initial reports indicated significant crashing, low frame rates, and stuttering, especially on high-end PCs and the Xbox Game Pass version. However, later reviews and patches suggest improved stability and performance, with some minor bugs remaining. The game's performance is often compared to XCOM, with some finding it less stable or graphically inferior initially.
- Mod/DLC Compatibility Issues (weight 0.01): The game experiences issues with launching or hanging on the loading screen when mods or DLCs are installed, particularly on macOS.
- Mac Fan Noise (weight 0.01): Playing the game on macOS with an M4 CPU can lead to significant fan noise, though it doesn't necessarily cause glitches.
- SSD Installation Recommended (weight 0.01): It is recommended to install the game on an SSD rather than a traditional spinning HDD for better performance.
- Delayed Tutorials (weight 0.01): Tutorials in the game sometimes appear with a noticeable delay, which can be disruptive to new players.

Recommendations:
- Great for XCOM fans (weight 0.3): The game is highly recommended for fans of XCOM and similar turn-based tactical strategy games, often being compared favorably or as a worthy alternative to the XCOM series. However, some suggest playing XCOM first for genre newcomers.
- Buy on sale (weight 0.24): Many reviewers recommend purchasing the game, especially the complete edition with all DLCs, when it is on sale due to perceived value and to mitigate some of its flaws. Some suggest trying the free demo first.
- Use 'Terror from the Void' mod (weight 0.08): The 'Terror from the Void' (TFTV) mod is highly recommended by many players, often cited as drastically improving the game experience by overhauling and smoothing out mechanics and balance. It is suggested to play with this mod, especially after a vanilla playthrough.
- DLCs: Mixed recommendations (weight 0.08): There's mixed advice regarding DLCs. Some recommend playing with all DLCs for a full experience, while others suggest playing the vanilla game first to understand core mechanics, and specifically advise against certain DLCs like 'Festering Skies' and 'Rotting Sky' for a better initial experience.
- Desire for a sequel (weight 0.07): Many players express a strong desire for a sequel, hoping it will address and polish the rough edges and design mistakes present in the current game. This indicates a belief in the game's potential despite its flaws.
- Start on lower difficulty (weight 0.04): For new players, it is strongly recommended to start on lower difficulty levels (Normal or Easy) to get accustomed to the game's mechanics and avoid frustration. Some even suggest avoiding higher difficulties for the first playthrough.
- Requires patience and frustration resistance (weight 0.02): The game is often described as challenging and potentially frustrating, requiring patience and a willingness to learn complex mechanics. Players who are resistant to frustration and enjoy deep strategy are more likely to appreciate it.
- Beware of bugs and Game Pass (weight 0.02): Players are advised to be cautious with the Game Pass version and stick to the Steam version, suggesting potential issues or lack of updates on other platforms. There are also mentions of bugs that players should be aware of.
- Challenging campaign management (weight 0.02): The game's campaign management can be challenging, often requiring multiple attempts to figure out resource management. Players should be prepared for potential restarts if resources are mismanaged, highlighting a steep learning curve.
- Devs should learn from XCOM (weight 0.01): Some reviewers suggest that developers should learn from older XCOM games and their reboots to understand what makes the genre fun, particularly regarding player progression and enemy scaling, as current mechanics can feel unfair.
- Fun after learning curve (weight 0.01): The game can be initially difficult to get into due to its mechanics, but becomes enjoyable once players become familiar with its systems. This suggests a learning curve that, once overcome, leads to a fun experience.
- Try the demo (weight 0.01): Reviewers suggest trying the game's demo before purchasing to see if it aligns with player preferences and expectations.
- Conflicting recommendations (weight 0.01): Some reviews contain contradictory advice, recommending the game while simultaneously advising against it or suggesting alternatives. This indicates a highly polarizing experience for players.

Other player notes:
- XCOM Comparisons & Legacy (weight 0.17): The game is frequently compared to the XCOM series, both the original and newer iterations, due to its similar turn-based tactical gameplay. Many reviewers highlight that the game was developed by Julian Gollop, the creator of the original X-COM games, which influences expectations and comparisons.
- Compelling Lovecraftian Narrative (weight 0.03): The game features a compelling near-future narrative with Lovecraftian elements that evolve throughout the gameplay. The story is primarily conveyed through text boxes and concept art, offering a unique, albeit sometimes observational, player experience.
- Epic Games Exclusivity (weight 0.03): The game's initial exclusivity deal with Epic Games caused significant frustration among some early backers and players who preferred Steam, leading to a delay in playing the game for many.
- Unique Alien Invasion Theme (weight 0.03): The game offers a unique take on the alien invasion theme, allowing players to engage with aliens through diplomacy and experimental biotechnology. It shares thematic similarities with UFO: Aftershock.
- Good Mod Support (weight 0.02): The game benefits from mod support, with several available mods that can enhance replayability and address various issues. Some players recommend using mods to improve the overall experience.
- Improved Post-Launch (weight 0.02): The game experienced a rough launch with numerous bugs and a slow rollout of DLCs. However, it has since received significant polish and improvements, especially for its Steam release.
- Strong Art & Monster Design (weight 0.02): The game's visual design, particularly for monsters, bosses, and general art style, is frequently praised for its quality and creativity, contributing positively to the game's aesthetic appeal.
- Clear Developer Vision (weight 0.02): Reviewers acknowledge that the developers had a clear vision for the game and stuck to it, suggesting that the game has significant potential to positively influence the genre.
- Crowdfunded Project (weight 0.02): The game was a crowdfunded project, with many reviewers having participated in its Kickstarter campaign and followed its development from early stages.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.24): Players felt satisfied by the game's tactical and strategic depth, particularly its unique aiming system, body part damage, and evolving enemies. The game successfully delivered a challenging XCOM-like experience, often enhanced by community mods that improved gameplay and replayability, making it a compelling alternative to other titles in the genre.
- Frustration (weight 0.23): Frustration stemmed from numerous bugs, performance issues, and a cumbersome UI, which often led to repetitive and tedious gameplay, especially in the late game. Players also found the difficulty spikes, unfair AI, and resource management to be punishing, detracting from the overall experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.2): Disappointment arose from the game's unfulfilled potential, lack of polish, and perceived mediocrity compared to XCOM. Players felt that promising ideas were poorly executed, leading to repetitive missions, unengaging progression, and a general lack of depth and innovation.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Players enjoyed the game's tactical combat, strategic depth, and customization options, finding the overall gameplay loop engaging and replayable. The unique mechanics and atmosphere, often enhanced by mods, contributed to a fun and immersive experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement was generated by the game's unique mechanics, such as the limb damage system and varied enemy types, which offered a fresh take on the XCOM-style genre. Players were also excited by the game's potential for future playthroughs and its challenging strategic depth.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciated the game's ambition, innovation, and unique mechanics, particularly its realistic combat and Lovecraftian elements. The dedication of developers and modders, especially the TFTV mod, was highly valued for transforming the game into a more polished and enjoyable experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom was primarily caused by the game's repetitiveness, particularly in late-game missions and base management, coupled with slow pacing and a lack of engaging content. Players found the gameplay loop tedious and unchallenging, leading to a feeling of monotony.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger was directed at the developers for perceived unfair design choices, numerous game-breaking bugs, and a lack of polish, especially with DLC releases. Players felt that fundamental issues were unaddressed, leading to a frustrating and unplayable experience.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stemmed from small but persistent issues such as tedious inventory and ammunition management, clunky UI, and repetitive gameplay elements. Bugs with animations and illogical mechanics also contributed to a generally irritating experience.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Players expressed hope for future improvements, including better precision, customization, and animations, as well as the potential for a polished sequel. There was a strong desire for the game to evolve and fulfill its potential within the turn-based tactics genre.
- Exhaustion (weight 0.01): Exhaustion was caused by the game's overwhelming micromanagement, repetitive gameplay, and slow pace of battles, particularly in the late game. The constant grind and unclear progression led to players feeling drained and unmotivated to continue.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy was experienced by players who found the game aligned perfectly with their personal preferences, offering a fresh and fun turn-based strategy experience. The overall quality and engaging gameplay contributed to a highly enjoyable time.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players expressed love for the game's overall quality, unique movement system, and concept, often preferring it over XCOM 2. The game successfully captured the essence of the genre for XCOM fans, creating a deeply engaging experience.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration was directed towards the game's innovative design, superior mechanics, and gripping storyline. Players appreciated the overall quality and progress of the game, recognizing its unique contributions to the genre.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Players felt engaged by the game's addictive gameplay, compelling plot, and deep faction system. The Lovecraftian theme, strategic options, and freedom in character development contributed to a highly immersive and captivating experience.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arose from the game's steep learning curve, complex systems, and poorly explained mechanics. Players were often bewildered by aesthetic choices and the existence of negative reviews, struggling to grasp the game's intricacies.
- Challenge (weight 0.01): Players found the game challenging due to its increased difficulty, difficult battles, and steep learning curve. The need to adapt to new mechanics and overcome tough encounters provided a satisfying test of strategic thinking.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm was driven by the game's overall appeal, quality, and addictiveness, particularly for fans of the genre. The presence of mods and a supportive community further amplified positive feelings towards the game.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.01): Mild disappointment stemmed from the game's mid-game pacing issues, lack of optimization, and limited character customization. Players also noted AI issues, limited content, and developer decisions like Epic Games exclusivity as minor drawbacks.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0): Players experienced mixed feelings due to the game's unfulfilled potential, repetitive endgame, and difficulty spikes. The static troop progression and the need for min/maxing, along with the game's current state on Steam, contributed to a divided opinion.}