Xenonauts, the XCOM inspired game has had a lot of fan following in its time and now that XCOM 2 started making waves everywhere, people also started asking questions about Xenonauts 2. WIthout much ado, the developers Goldhawk Interactive have confirmed that the game is actually in “full production” and scheduled for release in 2017!
They have also put up a basic website for the game which gives us the initial details on the turn-based tactical strategy game, but the first thing it reveals is that an official announcement will be made soon.
Apart from that, a few important details have been confirmed. Firstly, Xenonauts 2 is going to use Unity3D engine because it will give them “a much more capable platform for development than the previous engine, so expect fewer bugs, improved performance, better modding support, etc.”
A shift from 2D to 3D means you are going to get features like rotating cameras, vastly improved animation, physics objects, accurate projectile tracking and so on.
About the enemies, the developers have confirmed complete visual and mechanical redesigns. They are “creating a more intelligent and challenging foe by developing gameplay systems that allow the aliens to respond and adapt to your tactics and technology.” Three gameplay related details have also been shared:
- Ground Combat – we will be retaining the Time Unit combat system, and will enhance the interface and giving the player additional tactical options: destructible UFOs, better use of terrain verticality, human psionics, etc
- Geoscape – we want to add a lot more strategic choice for the player with regards to the research tree and how they choose to expand their organisation (there was definitely too much strategic railroading in the first Xenonauts)
- Air Combat – redesigned to be turn-based and to feature larger numbers of combatants, with the goal of making it a less frequent occurrence but more tactically involved when it does happen
The head of Goldhawk Interactive also confirmed on his Twitter that in the coming months we will get more solid details on the sequel.
We’ll be releasing full details along with a proper website, concept art, game universe etc in a couple of months
— Chris England (@GoldhawkInt) February 3, 2016
Check back with us later for more on Xenonauts 2.
