X-Com, a closer look

If you hear someone talking or read something about X-Com chances are it is about this particular game.
It was released for the PC way back in 1994 and for the Sony Playstation in I think 1995.
It is the first game in the series and one of three to have the same basics for game style.

In the game you take control of an agency created to protect the planet from what else....ALIENS! You are funded by the worlds leading powers and the amount of funding changes depending on how well you handle the alien threat in each region. If you just kick back and completely ignore a region it will eventually come under alien control and withdraw all funding!

Your first base and a few facilities included are free along with 2 interceptors and a troop transport. You also get a handful of scientists and engineers to kick off your R&D. It is usually advised to place your first base in north amercia or europe as these are the leading funding areas.

Shortly after the game starts you will see your first ufo, a small one man vessel that can easily be destroyed if not careful. Destroy it and no loot! So you will need to either try to shoot it down with only the canon or follow it and wait for it to land. Or you can just blow it to hell and wait for bigger prey!

Soon enough you will find a UFO on the ground or shoot one down and then you need to send your transport so you can get some loot and kill some aliens! Ideally you want to start the mission in the day time because aliens can see in the dark but you would have to use flares which aren't very effective! A shot down craft will remain for at least 24 hours so no worries.

After you blow them all to hell and get your loot it's back to the base to research that stuff and maybe sell off a bit to fund the war effort.

Before you know it you will be using the aliens weapons against them and sporting some nifty armor! Your troops will level up just like in an rpg but you don't spend points, instead they level up what is used/affected. Like shooting a lot will of course raise accuracy and facing aliens will affect bravery and so on.

Eventually you will have to start researching and fighting the real alien threats but I don't want to spoil it for anyone who might be interested! Needless to say there is a lot involved in this game and it can still be quite enjoyable despite it's archaic graphics.
Oh yea the aliens attack city's from time to time which is a real pain in the ass because there will be a LOT of aliens....something like 10-16 of them and they will have pets with them that can be hard to kill or capture alive for research. And you are supposed to try to keep as many civilians alive as possible because it will affect your score and the countries feelings towards you.

Godzilla?

One of their nasty pets!

Still a very enjoyable game and it is relatively cheap on steam.