There aren't too many games that I've come across that combined time management into turns and real time in such a way to allow you a piece of the action and plan things out. Every game i have played that tries to match tends to do it's own thing and that can be a bit of a risk for good results. This is a fun game. It lends itself from the likeness of *Frozen Synapse* with a bit more customization, specialization and light RPG elements (such as levelling and XP) of your 'party' Some of these changes feel slightly cosmetic (such as all the weapon upgrades, which feel more subtle, but there are differences) In any case what is put together plays quite nicely.

You have the element of being suprised and can react to the situation using the smart pause type system. However, chances are its just as easy to reload the mission if things get too hairy. Your order plans are automatically saved so you can make changes to your plan and get a better result and fine tune from your failures (a very nice and notable design). This is the equivalent of playing gold. You opt to get it in one go, or maybe two, or three. then on to the next. Theres just enough variety within the context of unit classes and armament 'style' to make it interesting, allow some freedom, specialization and diversification to your team, while not getting too crazy.

The focus isnt on gearing as much as smart planning and thinking ahead, and improving your operations planning. You can also take over from a plan and manually improvise. There is however a bit of randomness to how things play out, even each round things can get a little fuzzy it would seem. My biggest gripe is that there is a real lack of control with your units, but that is kind of a realistic type factor (though it was surely not included) It's also tough to click and you have to zoom in. Still despite these technically mediocre setbacks, there's so much here that really did impress me. You get hundreds of maps, some fairly deiverse classes with different kinds of function if you wish to explore them (i did not, i only used the stealth class and sometimes assuatlers), a campaign mode with around 10 pen and papery feeling campaign modules for your squad. and it's open to modding. you can also train and grind your party through low level campaigns and sharpen their stats.

However even with the variety of maps, it feels the game is still the same. Some maps are unique (a hostage rescue where you escort a VIP through a city zone, using cover and concealment to get to the other side) or some very tight spaced maps such as airplanes and inside ships.