UFO: Aftermath

Игра не запускается и проблема не решается уже 10 лет

The Cenega UFO series is a pretty interesting alternative take on the X-COM series. Speaking as someone who's not a fan of the board-gamey feel of the new ones and rather prefers the style of the old, I found it enjoyable enough to finish. THE GOOD The writing and "set design" (the tactical maps) are actually really well-done, solid, and show attention to detail. The combat, while fairly basic in its real-time-tactical format, is fairly engaging. The overall concept and story is a more horror-oriented version of the alien conquest theme, with people being turned into horrific genetic monstrosities, who nonetheless fire AK-47s and HK G36s at you (??). Character development is engaging and enjoyable, and keeps you looking forward to the next development point to put into one of their stats. There are no tactical vehicles, but the heavy machineguns mounted on heavy armor do feel really good once you get them. They pretty much rip through almost everything in the game, but they have to be deployed to be used. THE BAD It lacks some elements of the original, like base design, instead turning the strategy layer into a map to conquer with base coverage. There can only ever be one troop transport aircraft, so the purpose of having many squad members becomes reduced, unfortunately, to functioning as alts for injured soldiers. Tactical games sadden me when they have no structure to enforce using more than a base squad with some pinch-hitters. The way tactical combat is implemented, the best way to play is to just plop your team down at the entrance to an area and wait until enemies wander into LOS. They can really mess up your day if they see you first, so the game becomes hide and seek, with the hider almost always getting first shot (and therefore closing the deal). The tactical element is pretty much lost to this, unfortunately. The weapons in the game are oddly done, like the developers couldn't decide whether to go more in the direction of Jagged Alliance or X-COM. So you have your panoply of modern weapons, with many different models of pistols and rifles, and while you do get to research variant alien weapons, for the most part, ballistic 7.62mm and .50 BMG weapons remain competitive to them and sometimes superior (mainly because the aliens' armor shields are more resistant to high-tech weapons than ballistic ones). It's like they really wanted to keep using the cool real-world weapons they like throughout the game, which is an odd choice and eliminates the benefit of that technological plateau you reach in the standard X-COM games once you're pumping plasma weapons. The worst part, in the end, is completely in line with the genre itself. Like with the series in general, the battles get repetitive and feel too frequent at the end, and the game starts to drag. You're just wanting to run time out to get the strategy metalayer progressing faster. Fortunately, it was quite completable in a reasonable playtime, so I did finish it without losing interest. SUMMARY It's an interesting take, and a good Central-European take on the X-COM genre that set the stage for its following games in the series. I came into this expecting jank, and it was surprisingly solid. It is rough around the edges in places, for sure, and is fairly basic in the strategic aspect, but if you like the series and concept in general, it's enjoyable worth a play.

Constant crashing, awful launcher shoving adverts at you. Just abandoned completely

UFO: Aftermath is a tactical strategy title developed by Altar Interactive and published by Fulqrum Publishing that serves as a spiritual successor to the classic X-COM formula while carving out its own identity. Set in a bleak near-future scenario where Earth has been devastated by an alien invasion, the game places players in command of a fragmented human resistance struggling to reclaim territory and restore some semblance of order. Rather than portraying humanity at the height of its power, UFO: Aftermath embraces a tone of desperation and attrition, emphasizing survival, rebuilding, and steady technological advancement in the face of overwhelming odds. The structure of the game revolves around two interconnected gameplay layers: a global strategic map and squad-based tactical missions. On the strategic level, players oversee territorial control across the planet, dispatching teams to respond to alien activity, securing regions, and gradually reestablishing a human presence. Managing this layer involves monitoring resource flow, directing research into alien technologies, and prioritizing areas of expansion. While the management system is somewhat streamlined compared to more granular base-building strategy games, it still demands careful planning. Expanding too quickly can overstretch your resources, while delaying action risks allowing alien influence to spread unchecked. Tactical missions are where the tension becomes immediate and personal. Instead of a strictly turn-based system, UFO: Aftermath employs a real-time-with-pause mechanic. Soldiers move and engage dynamically, but players can halt time at any moment to issue precise orders, reposition units, or adjust combat strategies. This hybrid design creates a distinctive rhythm. Encounters can feel urgent and chaotic in real time, yet pausing allows for methodical control. Mastery of this system requires balancing quick reaction with deliberate command, particularly when facing unpredictable enemy behavior or navigating confined environments filled with hostile threats. Squad development adds another layer of depth. Soldiers gain experience and improve attributes such as strength, perception, and intelligence, shaping their effectiveness in different combat roles. Over time, players develop attachments to their veteran operatives, making losses more impactful. Equipment customization further enhances tactical flexibility, as a wide arsenal of weapons and gear can be researched and deployed. The technological progression tree gradually unlocks advanced tools derived from alien technology, reinforcing the theme of humanity adapting and evolving in response to invasion. Choosing which technologies to prioritize becomes a strategic decision that influences both battlefield effectiveness and long-term campaign stability. The atmosphere of UFO: Aftermath is one of its strongest assets. The setting conveys a sense of global collapse and isolation, with desolate landscapes and abandoned cities serving as battlegrounds. Mission briefings and narrative elements focus less on character-driven drama and more on the broader struggle for survival. The story unfolds gradually through context rather than cinematic exposition, encouraging players to piece together the state of the world through environmental cues and campaign progression. This understated storytelling reinforces the bleak tone and emphasizes the scale of the conflict. However, the game is not without its shortcomings. Its interface can feel dated and occasionally unintuitive, especially for players accustomed to more modern strategy titles. Mission objectives sometimes repeat, and map designs, while functional, may lack variety over extended play sessions. Enemy AI can behave unpredictably, occasionally undermining carefully laid plans or resulting in firefights that devolve into direct exchanges rather than nuanced tactical engagements. These issues reflect the game’s early-2000s origins and may require patience from contemporary players. Visually, UFO: Aftermath reflects the technical standards of its era. The isometric perspective prioritizes clarity for tactical positioning, but character models and environmental textures are relatively simple. Despite this, the visual style supports the gameplay by ensuring readability during intense encounters. The sound design contributes to immersion with atmospheric effects and weapon sounds that enhance tension without overwhelming the player. While not visually groundbreaking by modern standards, the presentation remains serviceable and functional for its strategic focus. Ultimately, UFO: Aftermath stands as a significant entry in the tactical strategy genre, particularly for fans of hybrid systems that blend real-time dynamics with pause-based control. Its emphasis on long-term planning, technological adaptation, and squad management creates a layered experience that rewards thoughtful play. Though its mechanics and presentation show their age, the core gameplay loop remains engaging for players who appreciate methodical progression and atmospheric science fiction warfare. For those willing to invest time in mastering its systems, it offers a challenging and immersive campaign centered on humanity’s arduous fight to reclaim a shattered world. Rating: 7/10

Не покупайте эту игру, если не хотите мучаться. Разраб с издателем в край охерел. Починить лаунчер с опциями (графики и прочего) на Windows 10 - это слишком сложно. Зато впихать лаунчер с рекламой своих игр - это всегда пожалуйста.

My time spent playing is mostly outside of Steam, so I just loaded this up long enough to leave a review. You might be thinking of XCOM when you see this, but it's more of a Jagged Alliance with Aliens. And it's pretty good.

Es un juegazo por el que no pasan los años ni las décadas

This version has added launcher that messes with things.

mnoho dobře strávených hodin když není co ani kde :_)

played it way back when i was a dumb kid, get to finish this game 20 years later is satisfying to say the least if not for the nostalgic the game itself is pretty fun for what it offer, gotta save the game often because it will crashed and delete lots of your progress