Xenonauts 2 abducts a July 18 Early Access release

I want to believe

Hooded Horse has announced that the sequel to Goldhawk Interactive’s tactical alien defense game, Xenonauts 2, will enter into Early Access on July 18.

Xenonauts was something of a 2014 fan apology for a perceived over-modernization of the series in Firaxis Game’s 2012 XCOM: Enemy Unknown. It stuck closer to the original 1994 version of the core gameplay, focusing on being an expansive and layered campaign against alien invaders.

Xenonauts 2 is looking to expand on that. Set in 2009 during a narratively extended Cold War, you’ll be clandestinely protecting Earth from extraterrestrial threats. This doesn’t look to be a continuation of Xenonauts, but rather a bigger and badder version of it, complete with 3D graphics and extra strategic depth. The devs stress that you don’t need to have played the original to get into the sequel.

Take it from the developer, as they describe Xenonauts 2 as “less a direct sequel and more a re-imagining of the original vision, featuring a modern engine, a new setting, and refined mechanics”

Hello, foot sole, my old friend

That’s a relief, because I haven’t played the first Xenonauts. I’ve kind of been left traumatized by the original 1994 version of X-COM: UFO Defense, which is what Xenonauts is trying to keep the spirit of. I’m not sure if I really sucked at it or if I just was unwilling to deal with the complete and utter failure it would keep handing me in its early stages. All I know is that I once felt like I was finally getting my footing, and suddenly there was a big alien tank roaming the map that I was absolutely not ready for. I’d probably really enjoy it if I actually learned how to play it properly, but it’s not a good teacher if it treats failure as an opportunity to stomp on me.

I’m afraid of Xenonauts being the same thing. It’s a modern title, so it probably has some more modern feedback. However, if it doesn’t stomp on me, is it really true to the classic? Someone help me out here, is Xenonauts going to push me into the mud?

Xenonauts 2 will be dropping on PC via Early Access on July 18 on Steam, GOG, and Epic Game Store.