Can You Play as Aliens in XCOM?
The XCOM series has always been about humanity’s fight against an alien invasion, but what if you could turn the tables and play as the aliens themselves? In recent years, modders and developers have created ways to play as the alien species in XCOM, giving players a unique perspective on the game. In this article, we’ll explore the possibilities of playing as aliens in XCOM and what it means for the game.
The Origins of Alien Playability
The idea of playing as aliens in XCOM originated from the modding community, where fans created custom content to enhance the game. One of the earliest and most popular mods was the "Playable Alien Mod" for XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which allowed players to control alien units in the game. The mod was a huge success, and it paved the way for future mods that would allow players to play as aliens in other XCOM games.
Alien Classes and Abilities
When playing as aliens in XCOM, you’ll have access to different classes and abilities that are unique to each species. For example, the Vipers are agile and stealthy, while the Mutons are powerful and armored. Each class has its own strengths and weaknesses, and players must use them effectively to succeed.
Here’s a breakdown of the different alien classes and their abilities:
| Class | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Vipers | Stealth | Vipers are experts at moving undetected and striking from the shadows. They can move through the map without being detected and can deal massive damage with their venomous stingers. |
| Mutons | Armored | Mutons are heavily armored and can withstand a significant amount of damage before being killed. They’re also incredibly powerful, dealing massive damage with their claws and horns. |
| Sectoids | Mind Control | Sectoids are psionic warriors who can control the minds of human soldiers. They can make enemies attack each other or disable them, giving the alien team a significant advantage. |
Gameplay Differences
Playing as aliens in XCOM changes the gameplay experience significantly. Instead of trying to protect human soldiers, you’ll be working to eliminate them. Here are some key differences to keep in mind:
- Objective: Your primary objective is to eliminate all human soldiers on the map, rather than protecting them.
- Tactics: You’ll need to use stealth, strategy, and cunning to outmaneuver human soldiers. Aliens are often at a disadvantage in direct combat, so you’ll need to use your abilities wisely.
- Resources: You’ll have access to different resources, such as alien technology and psychic powers, which can be used to enhance your abilities and gain an advantage over human soldiers.
Pros and Cons of Playing as Aliens
Playing as aliens in XCOM has its pros and cons. Here are some of the most significant advantages and disadvantages to consider:
Pros:
- New gameplay experience: Playing as aliens offers a fresh and exciting way to play XCOM, with new challenges and opportunities.
- Unconventional strategy: Aliens require a different approach to strategy, which can be a fun and challenging change of pace.
- More replayability: Playing as aliens can add significant replay value to the game, as you’ll need to adapt your strategy to different alien classes and abilities.
Cons:
- Difficulty: Playing as aliens can be extremely challenging, especially in higher difficulty levels. Human soldiers are well-equipped and well-trained, making it difficult to eliminate them.
- Limited resources: Aliens have limited resources and abilities, which can make it difficult to succeed in combat.
- Unbalanced gameplay: Playing as aliens can create an unbalanced gameplay experience, as human soldiers are often overpowered and difficult to defeat.
Conclusion
Playing as aliens in XCOM offers a unique and exciting way to experience the game. With new classes, abilities, and strategies, you’ll need to adapt to a new way of playing the game. While there are pros and cons to playing as aliens, the experience can be incredibly rewarding and fun. Whether you’re a seasoned XCOM player or new to the series, playing as aliens is definitely worth trying out.