Here are some words about my first playthrough. Cross-posted from my Tumblr.

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In video games, folks talk about the balance between “story” and “gameplay” to the point of cliche. ”Choice” systems are endlessly debated and analysed. What makes a game great? Can games even be great?

XCOM: Enemy Unknown is one of those examples that helps set the bar as far as what this medium is capable of. The reason is that the story evolves organically from the gameplay, with the gameplay (and mastering it) remaining the primary reason to, well, play the game.

As far as the “story” goes, my “Volunteer” joined the XCOM project after they stopped an alien terror attack in his home country of Mexico. Gifted in support of his fellow soldiers, he rose as the defacto leader. Eventually, he became the one person capable of ending the alien threat.

But because that story was told as I myself took my first steps into this game, as I begun to learn what made it tick, what happened to him at the end mattered as much, if not more, than any of the characters in any of the so called “story driven games” I’ve played over the years.

I’m looking forward to getting better at XCOM, and seeing what other stories emerge during that journey.

As far as you are concerned, dear reader, want to get games? Play this one.