Ever since it exploded back into the video game scene with its 2012 reboot, XCOM has become one of the most influential turn-based strategy games on the market. Although it may have begun in the 1990s, the Firaxis developed and 2K Games published XCOM: Enemy Unkown not only rebooted the series but wowed critics and fans alike, reinvigorating the genre. This 2012 release won numerous Game of the Year awards and inspired countless other games like the colorful Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and the highly anticipated Marvel's Midnight Suns. One year later, 2K, eager to capitalize on this success, delivered its first spin-off in the form of third-person shooter The Bureau: XCOM Declassified.
Although its change of genre and difficult development cycle confused many fans, this shooter was a great experience and didn't deserve its lukewarm reception. Originally connected to BioShock creator Ken Levine's Irrational Games, it went through several reboots and cancellations only to find new life with developers 2K Australia and 2K Marin as the game that would eventually release. While it may not have been as positively received as the reboot of the main series, The Bureau is a criminally overlooked hidden gem. Through its unique setting, enjoyable mechanics and personal story, this spin-off puts boots on the ground against the alien threat in a refreshing and stylish perspective for the series.
The Bureau places players in the role of CIA Agent William Carter, who becomes embroiled in a desperate battle against an overwhelming alien threat. His journey will see him not only become privy to the existence of extraterrestrials but become a vital part of the creation of the XCOM organization. This unique perspective not only gives players a look into how the organization (which is already fully running in Enemy Unkown) not only got its start but saved the world from an evil alien known as The Outsider.
Along with telling a more personal story of the fight against aliens, the game also makes excellent use of its 1960s setting. The Bureau's retro science fiction allows it to tap brilliantly into the real-world conspiracy theories of Roswell and the infamous Area 51. This is a perfect setup for the top-secret missions of Agent Carter and only further illustrates that more games need to be set during the Cold War. The result feels like a combination of the style of Mad Men with the sci-fi aesthetic of films like The Day The Earth Stood Still, and the result is a stylish affair that works.
While it is still an action-heavy shooter experience, The Bureau does employ some interesting mechanics that tie it further into the strategy roots of the overall XCOM series. In combat, players can use the game's tactical pause feature called Battle Focus, which allows the action to be paused so that commands can be issued to squadmates. This not only feels similar to the commands found in Enemy Unkown but also features the same kind of cover system as well. Players must carefully position the squadmates to get them fully covered and in a vantage point to deliver each class's unique attacks.
Players will have to make choices quickly and efficiently in the heat of combat, as each class has its strengths and weaknesses with regard to placement. The commando class works best up close to the action, while the engineer prefers to be safely behind cover, dealing out damage with turrets that can be placed around the level. Players will need to make wise decisions as, just like in the main series, squadmates can and will suffer permadeath, making the loss of a powerful ally all the more hard-hitting in the face of the constant alien onslaught.
In between missions, the game also allows players to explore the hub area, where they can engage in conversations with the various characters who are sharing in the fight. It even features a dialogue wheel that allows players to steer the conversation in a variety of interesting ways. More importantly, players can recruit agents through the hub, choosing to outfit and equip them in four different classes. For fans, exploring the base on foot is a definite treat full of Easter Eggs and fan service.
It may not have been what fans were expecting, but The Bureau is a must-play for those that want more from the XCOM series and a great spin-off that deserves more attention. In the age of remakes and remasters, perhaps this underrated shooter can one day give Agent Carter and XCOM another chance to save the world.