X-COM: Terror from the Deep
| X-COM: Terror from the Deep | |
|---|---|
 The cover for X-COM: Terror from the Deep for the PlayStation | |
| Developer(s) | MicroProse Software Inc. |
| Publisher(s) | Paul Hibbard & Pete Moreland [1] |
| Designer(s) | Stephen Goss [1] |
| Series | X-COM |
| Platform(s) | PC (Windows or MS-DOS), PlayStation |
| Release | 1995 (PC), 2007 (PC) |
| Genre(s) | Turn-based tactics |
X-COM: Terror from the Deep is a computer game, the sequel to UFO: Enemy Unknown (or X-COM: UFO Defense in North America), and the second part of the X-COM series. It was developed and published by MicroProse. Its interface is nearly identical to its predecessor, as is its graphics technology.
Description
Terror from the Deep (TFTD) on the surface is much like a skin change to UFO Defense. The game plays out the same way, equipment and enemies in TFTD are similar to the original, and all of the basic game mechanics are the same. However, the difficulty level has been substantially raised and there are a number of new features. Many of the third-party programs which modified, increased, or reduced the difficulty in the first X-COM game can also modify TFTD.
The motives of X-COM 2 being not much more than an X-COM 1 add-on can be best explained by quoting Mythos Games, developer of the original game:
- "After completing UFO, MicroProse wanted to do a quick follow up within six months. We said that this was not feasible, and if it were possible it would be little more than the same game with different graphics. Instead we started work on X-COM: Apocalypse, which was much more ambitious. Once UFO/X-Com was clearly known to be a success, MicroProse suggested that we license the code for them to develop their own sequel. The rest is history."
In the original game, the player was tasked with defending Earth from invasion. Now, forty years after the first alien war, that lasted for three years, was won, a new alien menace begins to emerge from the deep oceans. The game plays out underwater, with base-building and combat all being submerged beneath the waves. The only time in fact that the game moves onto dry land is for terror site missions, when the aliens attack a port, ship, or island holiday resort. While the aliens and overall atmosphere of X-COM 1 was influenced by popular culture, TFTD has a darker theme influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft (one of the aliens is even described in-game as "not even the depths of a Lovecraftian nightmare could spawn such as this indescribable creature").
X-COM: TFTD, like the first game, consists of two parts. The GeoScape world view, a 3D map of the world used to track and intercept alien craft, and manage base facilities, research, manufacture, finance, etc. through a series of menus and sub-screens. The BattleScape engine is used for close personal combat between squads of aliens and humans, and takes the form of a turn based, isometric view, in which the player moves and fights with the aliens.
Inspiration
Re-release
On May 4th, 2007, X-COM: Terror from the Deep was released on the Steam platform by 2K Games, who has inherited the franchise.
References
- ^ a b X-Com: Terror From The Deep Game Play Manual. p. 88. ISBN 0-431-11-202 0395.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: invalid prefix (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ X-Com: Terror From The Deep Technical Supplement. p. 8. ISBN 0-431-11-206 0395.
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- X-COM Terror from the Deep: The Official Strategy Guide by Dave Ellis, ISBN 0-7615-0074-X.
External links
- UFOPaedia: An extensive wiki containing information, analysis, strategy, and other resources for the X-COM series of games. Updated often.
- X-COM: Terror from the Deep at MobyGames
- Bug FAQ Site for X-COM: TFTD
- XCOM2: Terror from the Deep : The UN-official Strategy Guide at IGN