Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

UFO: Extraterrestrials offers a familiar yet refined take on the classic turn-based tactical formula pioneered by titles like X-COM: UFO Defense. On the GeoScape screen, you manage multiple bases spread across continents, balancing resources, personnel, and technology research. Every decision you make—whether it’s allocating budget to weapon development, intercepting alien craft in orbit, or constructing new hangars—directly impacts your ability to defend humanity.

When an alien ship enters your controlled airspace, you issue interceptor orders in real time. Successfully downing a UFO transitions you to the Tactical Screen, where you control a squad of up to 12 soldiers on an isometric battlefield. Each soldier has a limited pool of action points, governing movement, firing, reloading, and other special actions. Realistic line-of-sight and elevation mechanics add depth, rewarding careful positioning and clever use of cover.

Between missions, you sift through alien debris and bodies, salvaging materials for reverse engineering in your labs. The in-game “Ufopedia” serves as a comprehensive guide, detailing weapons, armor, alien species, and base modules. As troops survive engagements, they earn experience and level up, allowing you to assign specialized skills—turning green rookies into hardened veterans over the course of a long campaign.

Graphics

Visually, UFO: Extraterrestrials strikes a balance between functional clarity and atmospheric detail. The GeoScape map is clean and easy to navigate, with clear icons representing UFO contacts, base facilities, and research projects. The color palette uses muted earth tones contrasted by the vibrant green of your ships’ targeting computers, helping critical information pop.

On the Tactical Screen, the isometric tiles are rendered with textured detail—rocky outcrops, derelict structures, and alien artifacts all contribute to a varied battlefield. Soldier models are somewhat blocky by modern standards, but their armor paint jobs, weapons attachments, and stances are distinct enough to tell your sniper from your heavy gunner at a glance. Aliens, too, have unique silhouettes that help you plan your tactics under pressure.

Special effects for explosions, muzzle flashes, and plasma beams are punchy without becoming overwhelming. Height differentials are represented clearly, with raised platforms and trenches casting realistic shadows. While textures and animations are not cutting-edge, they serve the gameplay well, maintaining readability in intense firefights where split-second decisions matter.

Story

The narrative of UFO: Extraterrestrials unfolds against the backdrop of humanity’s first successful colonization attempt. In 2023, the spaceship Magelhaes touches down on Esperanza, and pioneering settlers begin to forge new societies. Initially, cooperative multinational governments flourish. By 2025, however, reports emerge of an unknown alien threat when a squad of Magelhaes pilots is shot down during a routine patrol.

This inciting incident thrusts you into command of Earth’s planetary defense. Your mission is dual-fold: protect the burgeoning colonies from aggressive extraterrestrials, and uncover the origins of the invaders so that you can take the fight back to them. The campaign weaves these objectives together with a steady drip of reports, briefings, and intercepted alien communications, keeping players invested in both the tactical battles and the larger storyline.

Although the main plot is relatively straightforward—defend Earth, research advanced technology, strike alien bases—side events and geopolitical pressure add layers of tension. Monthly funding reviews by Earth’s governments introduce stakes beyond mere battlefield success, forcing you to weigh costly research against immediate base defenses and resource shortages.

Overall Experience

UFO: Extraterrestrials captures the essence of classic tactical strategy gaming while streamlining base management and research. The game’s learning curve is approachable, thanks to the Ufopedia, but veterans will appreciate the depth afforded by realistic line-of-sight rules and a robust soldier progression system. Balancing budgets, expanding bases, and planning multi-theater defenses creates a rewarding strategic puzzle.

While the graphics and animations may feel dated compared to modern AAA titles, they never obscure the gameplay. The soundtrack and sound design reinforce the mood—tense sensor pings, distant alien cries, and the rumble of dropships deliver atmosphere without becoming repetitive. Minor UI quirks can be forgiven in light of the game’s overall polish and engaging mechanics.

For fans of tactical turn-based strategy and X-COM–style resource management, UFO: Extraterrestrials offers countless hours of strategic planning and battlefield drama. Its blend of base building, technology research, and squad-level combat ensures that no two missions feel exactly alike. Whether you’re a newcomer curious about genre classics or a veteran commander seeking a new challenge, this game provides a memorable extraterrestrial warfare experience.

Retro Replay Score

6.4/10