Once you’ve discovered faction bases, you can watch them send drones out to explore. On the Geoscape, you’ll explore your surroundings, talk to other factions, and research new technologies. Gameplay in Phoenix Point consists of two halves: the Geoscape and combat. Phoenix Point | Devil’s Gambit The Geoscape in Phoenix Point is a familiar sight, but it’s got some tricks up its sleeve. Still, it can sometimes feel like one side is taking a break to allow the other some breathing room. What is here is a perfectly fine story that diverts and evolves in fun ways. Is it interested in developing the aliens’ story or in showing you political infighting? A greater focus on one or the other of its elements might have benefited Phoenix Point and streamlined its story a bit. Since it’s got both an alien virus and a set of human organizations to consider, sometimes the narrative can feel torn. Phoenix Point suffers when it tries to stretch itself too thin. They have varied and complex demands which tie into the gameplay and the overall narrative in pleasing ways I won’t spoil. These three factions are naturally in constant conflict, so as well as being an alien hunter, you must mediate between them. Synedrion is trying to construct something resembling human society from the remains of the previous one. New Jericho is a military faction that wants to overwhelm the virus and its mutations with sheer firepower. The Disciples of Anu worship the mist that came with the virus. Some pockets remain, and that’s where the human factions come in. Instead, you’re trying to pick up the tattered remains of what happened after an invasion effortlessly destroyed civilization. At this point, you’re not fighting an invasion. It’s your job to launch expeditions from the titular Phoenix Point – the only Phoenix Project base left on Earth – and discover what happened to the rest of the organization. You are a member of the Phoenix Project, an organization dedicated to assisting humanity during times of crisis. When a virus discovered in permafrost turns humans and animals alike into horrifying mutations that quickly overrun the Earth. The story of Phoenix Point is bleak and evocative. Phoenix Point | Earth’s Mightiest Zeroes The story in Phoenix Point is diverting but not engrossing. If you’re willing to stick with it through a very hands-off introduction and an overwhelming user interface, it can be immensely rewarding. It’s a little rough and ready, lacking the polish of its higher-budget sibling. Phoenix Point inspires feelings of frustration and triumph in equal measure. It’s strategically deep and complex, placing emphasis on warring factions and a much greater focus on the Geoscape. Phoenix Point is the natural continuation of XCOM: Apocalypse, the last major XCOM game Gollop worked on. It’s tempting to look at Phoenix Point as simply “new XCOM but harder”, but that would be wide of the mark.

Phoenix point gameplay