Developed by one of the creators of the original X-COM—Julian Gollop—Phoenix Point is a different take on the same genre than the Firaxis-developed XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2.

The latest update released for Phoenix Point—also its final PC update—has also been released. Titled Hastur, the update introduces support for mods through the Steam Workshop. Players can now create, share, and tweak mods in the game.

Showcasing the new modding support, the game also now has a Custom Campaign mod. The mod, meant to act as an example, gives players a lot of customization options over their campaigns.

The six DLC bundled with Phoenix Point in the Complete Edition are Kaos Engines, Corrupted Horizons, Festering Skies, Legacy of the Ancients, Blood and Titanium, and the Living Weapons Pack.

Fortunately, the new Mutoid unit is immune to the same. It can also combine abilities from multiple classes though it requires Mutagens to create the maintain. As for the Behemoth Edition, the controls and interface have been redesigned to fit consoles (menus are now separated into tabs accessed with the triggers, for example). It runs at 1080/30 FPS on PS4 and Xbox One while PS5 and Xbox Series X players can play at 4K/60 FPS.

Though free upgrades for previous to current gen players are a thing, they will be going live after launch. Phoenix Point: Behemoth Edition is out on October 1st for consoles while the Corrupted Horizons DLC arrives on the same day for PC. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Next week on September 23rd, Lost Words: Beyond the Page, Sable and Subnautica: Below Zero join the service, being playable via cloud, consoles and PC. Tainted Grail: Conquest, a rogue-like RPG deckbuilder, becomes available on the same day exclusively for PC subscribers. On September 28th, tactical first-person shooter Lemnis Gate becomes available for console and PC players.

September 30th sees the arrival of RPG Astria Ascending for all cloud, consoles and PC while Unsighted will be available the same day for consoles and PC. October 1st sees the arrival of XCOM-esque strategy title Phoenix Point for console players. Overall, there’s a lot to look forward to.

However, certain titles will be leaving on September 30th so play the following now while you still have the chance.

• Drake Hollow (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Ikenfell (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Kathy Rain (PC)
• Night in the Woods (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2 (Cloud and Console)

It will also have Corrupted Horizons, the fourth DLC pack launching on the same day (and which will also be available for PC users). Controller support has been “redesigned” as well, though how it improves on the original remains to be seen. Those waiting for the Xbox Series X/S and PS5 versions will get them later but at least previous gen owners can avail of free upgrades.

Phoenix Point is currently available for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Those looking to own all of its content right now can invest in the Year One Edition which released in December 2020. Check out the trailers for the Behemoth Edition and Corrupted Horizons below.

The spiritual successor to XCOM is here now with Phoenix Point. You will find yourself pitted against mutants in an Earth that’s been ravaged by the Pandoravirus as mankind is on its last legs. The game was originally set to release in September but was delayed until this month. But it seems – unfortunately – that that won’t be the last delay, as those waiting for the Game Pass version will have to keep waiting.

In a forum post from developer Snapshot Games, they revealed that the Game Pass version for both the Xbox and PC will be delayed along with the Microsoft Store listing of the game. They admit to dropping the ball, and not preparing well behind the scenes.

“The fact is we dropped the ball,” the developer wrote. “We were exceedingly busy getting the game itself ready, and being inexperienced with Game Pass and the Microsoft Store, we simply had not properly prepared the groundwork to get the game released on time on these platforms. Compared to other platforms we’re on these platforms require a number of pre-requisites, from Microsoft certification to legal documentation review. While these are now mostly complete, they have given rise to a number of new delays.

“Specifically, we are currently unable to make the same content available on Microsoft’s platform that is available to players on other platforms. Since we want to make sure all players have access to all versions of Phoenix Point regardless of where they choose to play, we need to get this working before we can release.”

They unfortunately have no ETA for when the game will hit Game Pass or the Microsoft Store.

“This issue was not anticipated by us and has caused unexpected delay over and above our delay waiting for certification,” Snapshot Games wrote. “We had hoped to have Game Pass players, at least, up and running today, but it now seems like there will be further delays. We do not have an ETA for Phoenix Point on Game Pass or the Windows Store yet. Please know we are working as hard and as quickly as possible with our partners at Microsoft to resolve these issues and will keep you informed.”

Phoenix Point is available now for PC, which you can see the launch trailer for here, and will see PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions in early 2020.

Wattam

Of course it would be Katamari Damacy director Keita Takahashi making Wattam. How else could you explain the premise of walking around the world, befriending rocks, open mouths, trees and toilets to join hands and create melodies? It’s all quite whimsical in motion and gives Wattam a dream-like yet still unorthodox feel. Look for the game to release on December 17^th for PS4 and PC.

Phoenix Point

Phoenix Point is an important title for many tactical turn-based fans. For some, it could be their next big game after XCOM with its factions, evolving enemies and lasting psychological system for its soldiers. For others, it’s a true spiritual successor to the original X-COM games from creator Julian Gollop, offering the next step forward in the tactical strategy war against aliens. With terrifying foes, intriguing mechanics and a tense setting, Phoenix Point releases on December 3^rd for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Halo: Reach (PC/Xbox One)

Finally, we get to remember Reach as it should be – in gorgeous 4K resolution and 60 FPS. 343 Industries’ Halo: Reach comes to PC on December 3^rd with its memorable campaign and hefty multiplayer modes like Firefight and Invasion (with Forge and Theater coming in 2020). For Xbox One players, Reach will round out Halo: The Master Chief Collection but for PC players, it kick-starts the collection’s release on PC. Whether you’re a fan of the series or not, Halo: Reach’s arrival next week is a momentous occasion.

MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries

It’s seemingly the month of nostalgia and MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is a long time coming. As the first mainline title in the franchise since MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries in 2002, MechWarrior 5 offers combat in large hulking mechs with highly customizable parts. Taking part during the Third Succession War, various factions will be vying for supremacy, allowing you to take contracts and cement your legacy. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is out on December 10^th for PC.

Terminator Resistance

Teyon’s new Terminator shooter is an…odd title. It’s set in the year 2028 with the world decimated by Skynet’s robot incursions. You’ll battle through hordes of machines, killing and leveling up while also potentially altering the fates of those around you. What’s odd about the whole ordeal is that despite seeing significant criticism, the game has a rather positive rating on outlets like Steam. We’ll see how the console versions fare when they release on December 10^th for North America.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York

Before venturing into the RPG-heavy Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, why not visit the Coteries of New York instead? Developed by Draw Distance, Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York is a text-based adventure centered around two factions – the Camarilla and Anarchs. Depending on one’s clan and choices, there will be unique dialogue opportunities and powers, ultimately influencing the game’s outcome. The title is out for PC on December 11^th but also releases on Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch in Q1 2020.

Darksiders Genesis

And now for something completely different from the Darksiders franchise. Developed by Airship Syndicate, Darksiders Genesis is an isometric action hack and slash title that takes place before the first game. Horsemen Strife and War are on a quest to stop Lucifer from empowering the forces of Hell and that means lots of slicing and shooting. Co-op is included but solo players can switch between either Horseman at any time while taking advantage of various upgrades. Releasing on December 5^th worldwide for PC and Google Stadia, Darksiders Genesis looks to offer a fun 15 hours or so of adventure.

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey (Xbox One/PS4)

Panache Digital Games’ Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey didn’t get the most rousing reception when it first released on PC. However, there have been updates and improvements overtime, making this tale of evolution and survival more tenable. As part of a primate clan in the prehistoric age, you’ll be climbing trees, exploring the world, hunting, and even avoiding predators. All of this feeds into your experience and evolution as you journey across eight million years of history. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey arrives on December 6^th for Xbox One and PS4.

Life is Strange 2: Episode 5

Dontnod Entertainment’s fifth and final episode for Life is Strange 2 is out next month, bringing the adventure of the brothers Sean and Daniel Diaz to an end. This is always a pivotal moment for fans of the series, since it allows for experiencing the entire adventure from start to finish without any delays. It’s been a wild journey since the two initially fled Seattle en route to their father’s hometown in Mexico. How could things get any stranger? Episode 5 is out on December 3^rd for Xbox One, PS4 and PC so it won’t be long before we find out.

Arise: A Simple Story

Arise: A Simple Story is another dream-like adventure game but one that explores the memories of two individuals across shifting landscapes and seasons. As a puzzle adventure title, players will have the ability to manipulate time, altering the environment as they see fit. While there’s still a lot we don’t know, Arise’s art-style looks great and the story has strong emotional potential. It’s out on December 3^rd for PS4 and PC.

Snapshot Games’ Phoenix Point, a spiritual successor to X-COM by creator Julian Gollop, is out next week. To celebrate the upcoming launch, the developer has a new launch trailer. Check it out below, complete with bugs both big and small.

Taking place in the year 2047, Phoenix Point is about the Earth being overrun by an outbreak of the Pandoravirus. Mankind is more or less decimated with three factions vying for control and all kinds of nightmarish creatures running around. It’s up to the Phoenix Project to restore order, if not ensure humanity’s survival.

Along with tactical turn-based strategy combat, players will have to deal with enemies that evolve with each new battle. Sabotaging the other factions, amassing resources and mounting an offensive are just a few things that players will have to do. Phoenix Point is out on December 3rd for PC via the Epic Games Store. It comes to Xbox One in Q1 2020 and PS4 later next year.

After many years in development, Phoenix Point will be launching next week. As a spiritual successor to X-COM with original creator Julian Gollop at the helm, Phoenix Point promises to offer a new kind of war against an alien foe. Check out the recent trailer below which outlines the current state of the world.

Essentially, thanks to an alien threat, the world is pretty much in shambles. Three factions are in charge and at odds with each other. In the midst of this, it’s time for the Phoenix Project to return and effectively root out the aliens.

Phoenix Point was slated to release in June 2019 for PC. It was subsequently delayed to September and then again to December 3rd. Given the amount of time and polish its received, it’ll be interesting to see just how well the game compares to titles like XCOM 2. Though Phoenix Point is a timed exclusive to the Epic Games Store on PC, it will also be available on Xbox Games Pass for PC.

Snapshot Games’ Phoenix Point, a spiritual successor to X-Com, with the latter’s original creator Julian Gollop at the helm, has faced another delay. Originally set to release on September 3rd, it’s now set for December. The decision to push back the release was made due to the development team needing more time.

In a recent forum post, the developer said, “We know this is not our first delay, and we are very sorry to the fans who we know are highly anticipating getting their hands on Phoenix Point. No one is more disappointed than we are, but we collectively agree that we would rather miss a launch date than ship something that does not meet our exacting standards. We want the Phoenix Point you play to be one of your favorite games of all time, and that means we need a bit more time.”

The good news is that backers and early access players will receive Backer Build 5 on September 3rd. This will be a “much more robust” build and should help tide things over until the full game releases in December. A more concrete release date should be provided in the coming months.

Phoenix Point made headlines several months ago when the studio revealed that the PC version would be a timed exclusive title on the Epic Games Store. The upside of the deal is that along with more updates and support for the game, all DLC released within the first year will be free for backers and pre-order holders. Phoenix Point will also be coming to Xbox One and Xbox Game Pass for PC.

Snapshot Games’ Phoenix Point, a spiritual successor to X-COM, is releasing on September 3rd for PC. Though it’s on the Epic Games Store, like 4A Games’ Metro Exodus, it will also be available on Xbox Game Pass for PC. Check out the newest trailer below.

Developed by the original creator behind X-COM, Phoenix Point sees players battling enemy forces that will evolve and become tougher over time. However, your troops also have the same option and can choose to evolve further in an effort to defeat the aliens. The game’s tactical combat also evokes that X-COM feeling quite nicely with different classes, specializations and human factions to choose from.

So despite the exclusivity agreement with Epic Games Store, Phoenix Point can also be picked up on the Microsoft Store for PC. Yes, we don’t get it either. Regardless, if you pick up Xbox Game Pass for PC at $5, you get access to Phoenix Point as soon as it launches. Check out the system requirements for the Epic Games Store version below.

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 7 SP1+ (64-bit), 8, and 10
• CPU: Intel Core i3 / AMD Phenom II X3
• RAM: 8GB
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon R9 270
• DirectX: DX11

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 7 SP1+ (64-bit), 8, and 10
• CPU: Intel Core i5 3GHz / AMD FX series 3.2GHz
• RAM: 16GB
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon R9 390X
• DirectX: DX11