There was quite an outrage back in 2011 when 2K Marin announced that it was working on a first person shooter remake of the original XCOM entitled The Bureau: XCOM Declassified. For most fans of the original series released almost 20 years ago, it was quite inconceivable that anyone would consider changing it from the brain-burning tactical turn-based strategy game, to a less dignified, fast paced shoot ’em up.
The uproar died down quickly as the game seemed to fall off the radar and quite possibly to have been cancelled. A year later the turn-based strategy game that fans wanted, XCOM: Enemy Unknown was released by FIRAXIS and was hailed as one of the best games of 2012.
Did this signify the end of The Bureau: XCOM Declassified?
Alex Navarro over at Giantbomb recently reported that rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated, as he was able to play a demo of The Bureau: XCOM Declassified at a recent press event. Taking place in the early sixties, gone is the first person perspective, with 2K Marin choosing a third person view. Much like the Mass Effect series, it appears that along with the main protagonist, you also control squad mates, issuing orders through a command wheel. Through this command wheel you can have your squad mates target specific enemies, use special attacks and utilize advantageous cover points. It also appears that the popular hardcore ‘perma-death’ feature carries over from the original series and XCOM: Enemy Unknown, where unhealed or unrecovered squadmates are gone for good at the end of a mission. The game sounds great, but the biggest question remains, “Can I name my squad mates after Magnum, T.C., Higgins, and Rick like I did in XCOM: Enemy Unknown?“