The Bureau: XCOM Declassified

Editor's Notes

PS3 version reviewed

Introduction

In June of 2010, developer 2K Marin gave the world its first glimpse of a new XCOM game. Simply titled 'XCOM' it was unveiled as a first-person shooter, far removed from the turn-based strategy so many fans of the 'XCOM' franchise have come to know and love. Its reception from both the gaming industry and fans was mixed at best. As a potential reaction, 'XCOM' went dark for the next few years and very little was revealed about its development. That is, until April of 2013 when a significant facelift and rebranding effort delivered the new look of 'The Bureau: XCOM Declassified'.

The Game Itself: Our Reviewer's Take

After completely eliminating the first-person shooter aspect, 'The Bureau': XCOM Declassified' was released in August 2013. Taking place in 1962, during the height of the Cold War, you play as CIA Special Agent William Carter. The XCOM division has yet to be fully created and the very thought of an alien invasion on earth is nothing more than science fiction fantasy. Carnage ensues and as one might expect, the Soviets are the first to blame for the tragedy and destruction that slowly rages across America's idyllic towns.

After a brief tutorial introduction, you quickly realize what 2K Marin's developmental shift was focused on during the game's three-year hiatus from the public eye. The FPS gameplay mechanics have been replaced with a third person squad-based adventure. Controlling two other XCOM agents, 'The Bureau' takes some significant pointers from the immensely successful 'Mass Effect' franchise, which like 'The Bureau: XCOM Declassified' was built using the popular Unreal 3 engine. By slowing time down to a crawl and entering Focus Mode, Agent Carter is able to command his team to take cover, flank the enemy, and direct their unique class-specific abilities: Commando, Engineer, Recon, and Support. Although the mechanics of Focus Mode work well, the downside is that the other members of the team are incapable of making intelligent decisions on their own.

In true XCOM fashion, when a squad member is killed they are out of the game for good. Reviving a dying squad mate is an option but the speed at which they bleed-out can take even the best plan of attack and turn it on its head. The advancement of you and your squad's abilities is based on successfully completing a variety of main and side missions. In doing so you are utilizing the alien (referred to as The Outsiders) technology and developing the weapons and special abilities to better prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.

The weapons of 'The Bureau' range from typical 1960s military issue – pistols, sniper rifles, machine guns, and shotguns – and alien blasters, plasma cannons, and laser pistols. However, it's the class-specific training that are the most enjoyable. Much like the leveling abilities of 'XCOM: Enemy Unknown', each class has the option to select their own unique abilities. Choosing wisely results in a well rounded squad capable of infiltrating even the most secure of Outsider facilities. Some of my go-to favorites involved the deploying of turrets, levitating them for the high-ground advantage, and mind controlling a Muton (aka, Brute) to even the odds. Each ability has a cool down period that will need to be closely monitored while strategically keeping your squad out of harm's way.

Where your AI squad will often make poor decisions on their own, the enemy AI is a force to be reckoned with. They are smart, fast, and will take every opportunity to flank and corner you. Planning your moves as quickly as possible during some of the more intense fire fights significantly ratchets up the tension and gives 'The Bureau' a slight edge from other similar games that I've played. Adding enemy variety into the mix – Sectoids, Drones, Mutons, and Titans, to name a few – has the potential to disrupt even the most routine of missions - quickly taking a turn for the worse. Running in, guns blazing, is not a suggested strategy and will likely result in a failed mission and lost agents. While not as strategic as 'Enemy Unknown' the developers at 2K Marin didn't stray far from the success of that game's formula.

'The Bureau' also makes an attempt to mirror the dialogue trees and decision making of 'Mass Effect.' Although presented in a similar manner, the NPC conversations rarely result in any form of consequence and are generally nothing more than running through the list of available speaking points. While there is a good amount of conversations to be had, the interactive structure yielded nothing of interest over what a simple cut scene would have managed.