The Bureau: XCOM Declassified

love this game, but can't abide by a change in the terms of service that puts this game at risk from changing form fighting the ailens to giving the ailens my credit card with a single updare

Инопланетяни прилетели послушать концерт Элвиса Пресли и убить Джона Кеннеди! Рекомендую! Aliens came to listen to Elvis Presley's concert and kill John Kennedy! I recommend!

⠄⠄⣿⣿⣿⣿⠘⡿⢛⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣧⢻⣿⣿⠃⠸⣿⣿⣿⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄ ⠄⠄⣿⣿⣿⣿⢀⠼⣛⣛⣭⢭⣟⣛⣛⣛⠿⠿⢆⡠⢿⣿⣿⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄ ⠄⠄⠸⣿⣿⢣⢶⣟⣿⣖⣿⣷⣻⣮⡿⣽⣿⣻⣖⣶⣤⣭⡉⠄⠄⠄⠄⠄ ⠄⠄⠄⢹⠣⣛⣣⣭⣭⣭⣁⡛⠻⢽⣿⣿⣿⣿⢻⣿⣿⣿⣽⡧⡄⠄⠄⠄ ⠄⠄⠄⠄⣼⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣶⣌⡛⢿⣽⢘⣿⣷⣿⡻⠏⣛⣀⠄⠄ ⠄⠄⠄⣼⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣦⠙⡅⣿⠚⣡⣴⣿⣿⣿⡆⠄ ⠄⠄⣰⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⠄⣱⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠄ ⠄⢀⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⢸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠄ ⠄⣸⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⠣⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠄ ⠄⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠿⠛⠑⣿⣮⣝⣛⠿⠿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠄ ⢠⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣶⠄⠄⠄⠄⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡟⠄

Not only is the game mid, short, and the lore doesn't feel right for the rest of the series, it requires binding arbitration. Binding arbitration is a consumer screw job through and through. Do some research on it and the numerous abuses companies who force it have committed. You can almost be assured that if a company is requiring it, they are using it as smoke screen for illicit activities. It is entirely to suppress legal rights and bad PR from illegal actions. AVOID. Avoid every single thing 2K's name is behind. Your legal rights aren't worth this game or anything they offer. The industry is full of titles with moral developers and publishers. Go support them over soulless big corporate trash. Thankfully I played and beat this trash heap before they demanded your rights as a part of it.

A mediocre cover shooter with an Xcom theme. It doesn't directly tie in to any other version of Xcom though, which is disappointing. Essentially this is a reboot that came out parallel to another reboot from the same publisher, neither of which directly tie in to the original series from the 1990's aside from the theme and concept. It works as a "what if" to the origins of the Xcom plan being set in motion decades before the full scale invasions. An attempt to explain why the Xcom plan existed at all as a contingency that could be activated so quickly on demand in the games/stories that come after it. Except, those other games aren't canon to it and it makes everything a bit off putting when the origins don't line up with established timelines or tech; and then this series never continues in its own universe either. So you have a stand alone origin story to a story that is never fulfilled from a franchise that has now been retold at least 3 times over in as many decades. It's not a terrible game, but it doesn't bring much of itself to the table. Do I still recommend it? Sort of, barely. It's a mostly functional game with an interesting premise. But it doesn't play like any other Xcom game and it doesn't tie into story canon for any other Xcom game and it doesn't do anything to elevate itself as unique in cover shooters. But as a stand alone oddity in the gaming world, you can find some novelty value in exploring what Xcom could have been under a very different design style. I can appreciate it for what they were trying to accomplish. --- Bottom line: If you're an Xcom fan, pick it up on sale just to see what might have been. --- [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/38232109/]While you are here, would you consider following my curator page?[/url] [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/kunovega/recommended/]Want to read all of my reviews and not just the curated ones?[/url]

[h3] [u] This is not the classic XCOM... [/u] [/h3] I've played other titles in the series in the past; this is not a turn-based strategy game with management elements. Fans of the series will surely turn up their noses... With that out of the way, let's give a review of this game. [hr][/hr] This is a third-person shooter or action game that tells the story of how XCOM was created in the 1960s. It all starts with a sudden alien invasion and we obviously find ourselves in the eye of the storm! https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3697247893 We will play a CIA agent now destined to a desk job, who survived the first assault and was recruited into the newly born XCOM. Initially our resources (aka armaments) will be limited to those used at the time, which does not mean they will be ineffective. Joining us on missions will be two other agents, and we'll be able to manage their abilities and issue orders through a simple menu. Everything will be explained early in the game, so the player can become independent as quickly as possible. After completing the first missions, we'll have the opportunity to recruit, equip, and choose various agents; there are four main classes and various subclasses, each with specific abilities. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3699638371 As you progress through the game and level up (both player and agent), you'll unlock additional, selectable abilities. Before making your choice, I recommend watching the short video that introduces and explains the abilities. During your missions, you will also be able to acquire alien-origin weapons and equipment that will improve your agents' performance in combat, as well as yours, of course. The story is the game's strong point; mission after mission, it will tell the story of how a handful of agents managed to stop an alien invasion. You'll be guided throughout the mission by restricted paths; along the way, you may find manuscripts or audio files that describe how civilians or other agents are experiencing the situation. The main story isn't long, but there are well-crafted side quests, and you can send agents on missions to collect additional equipment. Everything is managed via a dedicated terminal. It is possible to interact with different characters within the game, each of them perfectly consistent with the context. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3699636967 The Unreal engine does its job; it's certainly not up to current standards, but it renders the 1960s setting and the various effects perfectly. The audio is perfect, the dubbing and the rest of the sound are done to perfection. Bottom line: If you're a fan of the XCOM series and expect a game in line with the others, skip it. You'll be disappointed. If you take this game for what it is: a third-person action shooter with a good story, it will provide you with hours of fun.

In 2025, going back to The Bureau: XCOM Declassified feels like opening a time capsule from a different era of gaming. Originally released in 2013, this tactical third-person shooter set in the XCOM universe might have been divisive upon launch, but in hindsight, it deserves way more credit than it got. First off, the atmosphere is immaculate. The 1960s Cold War setting is rich with detail, from the retro-futuristic tech to the period-appropriate aesthetic in clothing and environments. The game blends its sci-fi alien invasion storyline with the paranoia and tension of the era, creating a world that feels unique even today. Gameplay is where The Bureau truly shines if you’re a fan of tactical combat. The blend of real-time shooting and squad-based strategy might not be as deep as its XCOM siblings, but it offers a satisfying middle ground for players who want action with a layer of thoughtfulness. Issuing commands mid-battle – directing squadmates to flank enemies, set up turrets, or deploy special abilities – makes combat feel dynamic and rewarding. It’s especially gratifying when your well-executed strategy wipes out a tough group of Outsiders. The story is surprisingly engaging, with a few twists that keep you hooked until the end. While Agent Carter isn’t the most charismatic protagonist ever, the voice acting and dialogue choices help flesh him out. Plus, the choices you make throughout the game subtly impact the outcome, giving you a reason to revisit it. Yes, the game isn’t perfect. The cover mechanics can feel clunky, and the AI occasionally makes some hilariously poor decisions. But these quirks don’t overshadow the overall experience. Instead, they add to the charm of a game that wasn’t afraid to try something different within the XCOM franchise. In 2025, The Bureau stands as a reminder that risk-taking in game design is worth it, even if it doesn’t hit perfectly. For fans of tactical shooters, XCOM enthusiasts, or anyone looking for a unique sci-fi story, it’s worth dusting off this title and giving it another shot. With its tactical depth, immersive atmosphere, and underrated narrative, The Bureau is a hidden gem that deserves its moment in the spotlight.

Actually a solid, if flawed, game. More or less a Mass Effect clone. Combat is effectively the same as that game, except that you can pause time to give orders, More so than in Mass Effect, your teammates can actually kill things when given the right equipment and perks. At the start they feel useless but by the end of the game they were accounting for more than half the total kills for me. Technical issues: -PhysX breaks the game, like literally there is a point early on where the game will always crash until you turn it off. -When selecting combat abilities and moving about the map to decide where to place them, the movement marker gets stuck against barriers or vertical drops. Most of the time this is not a problem but it does get in the way sometimes. Other issues: - The storytelling towards the end gets really janky. I'm not going to spoil it, but the ending gave me whiplash because your roleplaying choices and how it actually plays out may not align at all. - Weapon balance is not great. A lot of weapons are simply not recommendable either because they are too weak or so limited in ammunition that they become a liability. So by the end of the game you are realistically using a very narrow weaponset.

🎯 Rating: 7.5/10 📜 Overview The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is a tactical third-person shooter developed by 2K Marin and published by 2K Games. Released in 2013, it serves as a spin-off to the XCOM series, set during the Cold War era in the 1960s. The game combines squad-based tactical gameplay with third-person shooting, focusing on a secret government agency’s efforts to combat an alien invasion. While it diverges from the turn-based strategy of mainline XCOM games, it retains the series’ themes of secrecy, strategy, and extraterrestrial threats. 🌟 Pros ✅ Tactical Gameplay: Squad-based mechanics with a focus on strategy and positioning. ✅ Unique Setting: Cold War-era aesthetic and storytelling provide a fresh take on the XCOM universe. ✅ Engaging Story: Intriguing narrative with twists and a sense of mystery. ✅ Character Customization: Ability to upgrade and customize squad members. ✅ Atmosphere: Strong 1960s vibe with a mix of sci-fi and period-appropriate design. ⚠️ Cons ❌ Clunky Controls: Some players find the third-person shooting mechanics awkward. ❌ Repetitive Missions: Mission structure can feel repetitive over time. ❌ Lack of Depth: Tactical elements are simpler compared to mainline XCOM games. ❌ Mixed Reception: Fans of the series were divided over its departure from turn-based gameplay. ❌ Technical Issues: Occasional bugs and performance problems. � Player Sentiment Positive Reviews: Players appreciate the tactical gameplay, unique setting, and engaging story. Negative Reviews: Criticisms focus on clunky controls, repetitive missions, and the game’s departure from traditional XCOM mechanics. 🎯 Target Audience Fans of tactical shooters and squad-based games. Players interested in the XCOM universe and its lore. Those who enjoy Cold War-era settings and sci-fi narratives. 🏆 Rating Breakdown Gameplay: 7/10 Story: 8/10 Setting: 9/10 Controls: 6/10 Replayability: 7/10 Overall Experience: 7.5/10 🎨 Visual Summary 🎮 Gameplay: Tactical and squad-based, but with clunky controls. 📖 Story: Engaging and well-integrated into the XCOM universe. 🌐 Setting: Unique Cold War-era aesthetic with a sci-fi twist. ⚠️ Controls: Can feel awkward and unpolished. 🔄 Replayability: Somewhat limited due to repetitive missions. 🎯 Final Verdict The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is a solid tactical shooter with a unique setting and engaging story. While it diverges from the traditional XCOM formula, it offers a fresh take on the series with its Cold War-era vibe and squad-based gameplay. However, clunky controls, repetitive missions, and a lack of depth compared to mainline XCOM games hold it back from being a standout title.