XCOM: Enemy Unknown Preview
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But we haven't even gotten to the best part: what's it like playing as the iconic XCOM aliens? For starters, these units can't be customized like human soldiers, and thus cost a fixed amount of points. That's not to say there's no variety between them with around ten unique units to choose from, no two extraterrestrials play alike. With their insane mobility, freaky mind powers, and technological prowess, mixing a handful of aliens into your squad composition gives it that much more flexibility to take on whatever the opponent's packing.
Sectoids, the bulbous-headed gray dudes you've seen in previous XCOM trailers, are the equivalent of alien cannon fodder, scampering around with decent firepower and diminutive health (though Sectoid Commandos are far more threatening). On the other end of the strength spectrum are the Mutons, hulking behemoths that come in the plain or Berserker variety and soak up damage like true tanks. The Heavy Muton Berserker was our personal favorite; his brutal bull rushes can break clean through cover to pummel foe's faces. Even better, when it gets shot at, it gets angry, indignantly thumping its chest with a brash fury.
For scouting, alien armadas can use Chrysalids and Floaters (not that kind) to scope out the competitor's location. Chrysalids are spindly creeps that can skitter around a map at a startling pace or climb buildings to get a better view of the action. As an added bonus, when a Chrysalid performs a killing blow on an unfortunate human soldier, it'll impregnate them with chest-busters that'll bolster your forces. Floaters are essentially legless living jetpacks, capable of launching to any point on the map as long as they're outdoors perfect for flanking.
