Xenonauts 2 announced; the sequel to XCOM-inspired strategy planned for 2017

Xenonauts 2 is officially at works, confirmed Goldhawk Interactive. The second installment, planned for 2017, will feature deep Cold-War setting and 3D graphics powered by Unity3D.

February 4, 2016 10:19

Xenonauts 2 announced; the sequel to XCOM-inspired strategy planned for 2017 - picture #1

The first Xenonauts was a faithful in design to X-COM: UFO Defense from 1994.

Xenonauts 2 in short

Tactical strategy with turn-based combat;
Developed by independent studio Goldhawk Interactive;
Inspired by the XCOM series;
Features an alternative history of the alien invasion, set earlier on the timeline than the first game;
3D graphics powered by Unity3D engine;
Coming to Early Access prior to its 2017 release.

A turn-based tactical strategy inspired by X-COM: UFO Defense (both in terms of graphics and gameplay) is officially getting a sequel. Incited by the upcoming release of XCOM 2, Goldhawk Interactive confirmed Xenonauts 2 is at works by means of a note posted on the game’s new website. Whereas the first Xenonauts was set in the early 1980’s, the next game will take us back in time featuring an alternative version of the history with alien invasion occurring during the Cold War. In terms of gameplay this means that humans don’t start with advanced alien technology unlocked in the first game.

Xenonauts 2 will drop 2D sprites for 3D graphics powered by Unity3D engine, which means we will see such things as rotating camera, better animation, physics objects, realistic ballistics, destructible UFO’s, better terrain verticality, and other features meaningful for tactical gameplay. On top of that, the developers talk about redesigned aliens and air combat.

Xenonauts 2 is going to launch some time in 2017. Before the full release, the game will be available in Early Access for a discounted price. More information and first visual materials are promised to be revealed soon.