With XCOM: Chimera Squad, 2K and Firaxis are making some changes and additions to the formula. Breach Mode is one of these changes and Interleaved Turns is another. Interleaved is another word for alternating and it makes some pretty significant changes to the way turns and combat plays out.
In previous XCOM games, the player would complete each of their character’s movement/shooting/actions before the enemy phase would begin. This has been changed in XCOM: Chimera Squad.
Firaxis has said;
An automatic initiative system will slot individual agents and enemies into an alternating turn order, creating new strategic possibilities based on what unit is queued to act next – and what unit is at the greatest risk when they do so
XCOM: Chimera Squad
As you can see in the image above, the timeline of turns on the right-hand side of the screen shows Agents and enemies alternating. Other screenshots show multiple Agents or enemies taking turns in a row, however, in everything we’ve seen so far, you won’t see one team taking all of its turns before switching to the other.
This is an enormous change in the way XCOM plays and is going to have huge ramifications on the strategy and tactics that players need to use to win.
Mark Nauta, Lead Designer at Firaxis Games said;
Gameplay like Breach Mode, interleaved turn order, and the introduction of agents as fully fleshed-out characters will revolutionize how the game plays while still retaining the combat experience that makes the XCOM series so loved by gaming communities around the world.
In Chimera Squad, players will need to think more critically about each move and how it will shape the landscape of the battlefield. Do you want to take that shot? If you miss, what will the enemy do in response? Are you Agents safe?
Introducing Interleaved Turns is going to make XCOM: Chimera Squad even more tactical, fast-paced and exciting. Combined with Breach Mode and the new encounter-based missions, XCOM: Chimera Squad is shaping up to be an excellent addition to the franchise.
XCOM: Chimera Squad is launching on April 24, 2020.
