Almost perfect.

Probably my favorite turn-based combat system. So genuinely captivating to navigate, learn, and master that it by itself made history in the genre.

But what surrounds it is not so up there. Base management adapts to the main gameplay pretty well, but the sky combat is so nothing, a nuisance that I forgot was even there half the time and the other half it's just frustrating due to how much it depends on the money you spend on it out of pure guess work. Money that's more rewarding to spend on ground units and base upgrades.

The world panic system also feels like it punishes you for progressing more than lacking in focus or skill.

Despite that, Xcom is what I will always look up to in pure strategy terms. A classic.

To me, Enemy Unknown/Within is a game where you throw hastily-constructed simulacrums of your friends (and random celebrities) into the meat grinder that is a virtual alien invasion. Of course, it's also a sharp, enthralling tactical strategy shooter, but the personality of it lies in the personal narratives that we attach to the game. The game's actual story is pretty barebones, though it is not without some neat scripted events. Regardless, it's that narrative/gameplay balance that makes this game.