X-COM: Terror from the Deep
Encyclopedia
X-COM: Terror from the Deep is a strategy
video game released in 1995 for the PC. It is the sequel
to UFO: Enemy Unknown, and the second part of the X-COM
series.
Terror consists of several parts. The first is the GeoScape, a global view of Earth. Here the player views alien and X-COM craft. The BattleScape is used for combat between squads of aliens and humans, and takes the form of a turn-based battle
from an isometric view. Underwater battles use the same physics as the ground ones, even as many of the underwater weapons can be used on ground.
Resource management
is also present, as the player must hire and dismiss staff, buy and sell vehicles, weaponry, ammunition and items, and build and expand bases.
Eventually, it is revealed the aquatic aliens came to Earth on a massive spacecraft, known as T'Leth, that crashed into the ocean 65 million years ago and supposedly caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Destruction of T'Leth by the player results in victory but also results in a worldwide cataclysm, setting the stage for the third game in the series, X-COM: Apocalypse
.
felt that the only way to do so was to change the graphics and make minor changes to the gameplay. MicroProse licensed Mythos' code, and made Terror in a year.
stated "Terror From The Deep is not only a great sequel to UFO but a superb game in its own right." On the other hand, GameSpot
summed Terror up with "Apart from new art and a handful of new combat options, this is exactly the same game as UFO Defense, only much more difficult."
, who has inherited the franchise.
The game has been also re-released as part of the compilations X-COM (Collector's Edition) by MicroProse in 1998, X-COM Collection by Hasbro Interactive
in 1999, X-COM: Complete Pack by 2K Games in 2008 and 2K Huge Games Pack in 2009.
Strategy game
A strategy game or strategic game is a game in which the players' uncoerced, and often autonomous decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome...
video game released in 1995 for the PC. It is the sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to UFO: Enemy Unknown, and the second part of the X-COM
X-COM
X-COM is a series of strategy games created by Julian Gollop. In 2010 2K Marin announced the official reboot of the series, entitled simply XCOM. The original game has a cult following.- Original series :...
series.
Gameplay
Terror from the Deep plays out underwater, with base-building and combat all being submerged beneath the waves. The only time the game moves onto the surface is for missions when the aliens attack a port, ship, or island.Terror consists of several parts. The first is the GeoScape, a global view of Earth. Here the player views alien and X-COM craft. The BattleScape is used for combat between squads of aliens and humans, and takes the form of a turn-based battle
Turn-based tactics
Turn-based tactics , or tactical turn-based , is a computer and video game genre of strategy video games that through stop-action simulates the considerations and circumstances of operational warfare and military tactics in generally small-scale confrontations as opposed to more strategic...
from an isometric view. Underwater battles use the same physics as the ground ones, even as many of the underwater weapons can be used on ground.
Resource management
Resource management
In organizational studies, resource management is the efficient and effective deployment of an organization's resources when they are needed. Such resources may include financial resources, inventory, human skills, production resources, or information technology...
is also present, as the player must hire and dismiss staff, buy and sell vehicles, weaponry, ammunition and items, and build and expand bases.
Story
Terror from the Deep is set in 2040, decades after the first Alien War was won, when a new alien menace begins to emerge from the oceans.Eventually, it is revealed the aquatic aliens came to Earth on a massive spacecraft, known as T'Leth, that crashed into the ocean 65 million years ago and supposedly caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Destruction of T'Leth by the player results in victory but also results in a worldwide cataclysm, setting the stage for the third game in the series, X-COM: Apocalypse
X-COM: Apocalypse
- Story :Half a century after the end of the second X-COM campaign, the last battle of T'leth has severely damaged Earth's biosphere. As a result, several self-contained Megalopolis-type cities were proposed to provide habitation for humanity. The game follows Mega-Primus, the first of these...
.
Development
MicroProse wanted Mythos to make a sequel to UFO: Enemy Unknown in six months. Julian GollopJulian Gollop
Julian Gollop is a British designer of strategy video games and founder of the defunct game studios Mythos Games and Codo Technologies.Gollop's career spans over 25 years, during which he has designed games for numerous systems over the years, from the early 8-bit home computers to 32-bit PCs...
felt that the only way to do so was to change the graphics and make minor changes to the gameplay. MicroProse licensed Mythos' code, and made Terror in a year.
Reception
Terror was received very well and the PC version holds an average rating of 86% according to GameRankings. PC GamerPC Gamer
PC Gamer is a magazine founded in Britain in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future Publishing. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games magazines in their respective countries...
stated "Terror From The Deep is not only a great sequel to UFO but a superb game in its own right." On the other hand, GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
summed Terror up with "Apart from new art and a handful of new combat options, this is exactly the same game as UFO Defense, only much more difficult."
Re-releases
On May 4, 2007, Terror from the Deep was released on Steam by 2K Games2K Games
2K is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games. 2K Games is a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, which also owns Rockstar Games notable for the Grand Theft Auto series...
, who has inherited the franchise.
The game has been also re-released as part of the compilations X-COM (Collector's Edition) by MicroProse in 1998, X-COM Collection by Hasbro Interactive
Hasbro Interactive
Hasbro Interactive was an American video game production and publishing subsidiary of Hasbro, the large game and toy company.Hasbro Interactive was formed late in 1995 in order to compete in the computer and video game arena. Several Hasbro properties, such as Monopoly and Scrabble, had already...
in 1999, X-COM: Complete Pack by 2K Games in 2008 and 2K Huge Games Pack in 2009.
Sources
- X-COM Terror from the Deep: The Official Strategy Guide by Dave EllisDave Ellis (game designer)Dave Ellis is an author and video game designer. He is also an avid classic arcade game collector and a columnist for GameRoom Magazine.-Career:...
, ISBN 0-7615-0074-X.
External links
- X-COM: Terror from the Deep at MobyGamesMobyGames-Platforms not yet included:- Further reading :* Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media; 2 edition , ISBN 0-07-223172-6...
- X-COM: UFO Defense PC and PSX at GameFAQsGameFAQsGameFAQs is a website that hosts FAQs and walkthroughs for video games. It was created in November 1995 by Jeff "CJayC" Veasey and was bought by CNET Networks in May 2003. It is currently owned by CBS Interactive. The site has a database of video game information, cheat codes, reviews, game saves,...
- UFOPaedia: An extensive wikiWikiA wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include...
containing information, analysis, strategy, and other resources for the this and other games in the series. - Bug FAQ site for the game