UFO: Afterlight
Preview
A fresh and innovative evolution of the series
by Outis
previewed on PC
Starting over
In any case, with this rag-tag group of dudes and gals, you will have to manage everything from research and production to the fine art of shooting aliens and blowing them up. Therein lays the new and improved squad system. (Or as we in the biz like to call it: 'human resource development') In a break from series tradition, the characters in UFO: Afterlight are no longer generic, randomly generated fodders. Rather, each of the twenty characters will be unique characters with charmingly unique quirks. Each of the characters happily fit into some sort of stereotype, ranging from crazed warriors who like to see aliens blown to tiny bits, to crazed scientists who like to see aliens blown to tiny bits. As always, you will be able to develop these characters as you see fit, but some will naturally be better inclined to certain areas of specialty than others.
Aside from the standard set of attributes, you will also be able to train the characters in different specialized areas like the operation of certain types of weapons or expertise in research and production. As such, the characters who can't hit a dead alien point-blank will remain a valuable part of your team as they fulfil their functions off the battlefield - though that may not save them from constant ridicules and bullying.
But then, it is no good either to leave these shut-in geeks weak as a shrimp. There will be no shortage of missions that require technical proficient personnel to repair your precious water pipes. Think of it as on-site tech support with alien monsters trying to eat you alive - the disgruntled customers are the least of your worries. To maximize productivity and profitability, you will organize your cheap labours into shifts, which will rotate around duties to minimize off-time. Thank God the Martian civilization is not yet developed enough to have labour unions, so you can pretty much enslave your squads with impunity.
Friends and foes
On Mars, also gone are your old foes and allies, the bald Cyborg mutants and the Psionics (also bald). The former are now replaced by troopers with necks thicker than their heads (some bald), and the latter by your friendly neighbour Reticulans (bald)! Yes, that's right; the alien bastards that drove you out of your home planets are just as desperate on Mars that they would actually cooperate with you. A host of other alien races inhabit the planet, including a faction surprisingly named 'Martian'.
For those new to the series, Reticulans are essentially your standard issue X-files greys, with big black eyes, not very developed social skills and an uncomfortable fondness for probing places where they are not welcomed. The Reticulans, aside from having ridiculous-sounding names and being androgynous, also have a nudist society. More importantly though, these aliens also come with Psionic abilities that can enhance their abilities and hinder the enemies, offsetting their frail, highly punchable physique. It is kind of like the Force, only it is not. But what is even more tempting, for me personally at least, is the prospect of having an alien duking it out with a beastman with dual katanas. If that alone isn't worth playing the game for, then I don't know what is.
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Just as crucial to the sequel, the game engine will see all-around improvements. The graphics are smoother than ever and Altar promises that the will load the missions faster than you can recite the Encyclopaedia Britannica. For those who like to screw around with their toys, you can expect a good amount of modding capacity as with its predecessors. Just don't go crying if you break anything. Scheduled for sales in February, UFO: Afterlight looks to be in good shape to make a smooth release. Altar Games is poised to repay years of die-hard fans support with a fresh and innovative evolution of the series. It would be hard for the most hardcore of cynics not to be excited for this genuinely promising game.
