Preview: 'XCOM' making move to iPhone, iPad

Brett Molina | USA TODAY

My mission in the hit turn-based strategy game XCOM: Enemy Unknown is moving along like normal. My squad is exploring an empty train station in search of a potential alien presence.

We slowly investigate subway cars and train tracks before an alien ambush kicks in. Two soldiers are injured, and speed off in a panic. Fortunately, our XCOM squad collects itself and recovers, neutralizing the enemy with all members intact.

For any video game player who has enjoyed Enemy Unknown for PCs and consoles, this type of mission is routine.

My mission was completed on an iPad.

It's still surreal to imagine a high-end video game meant for PCs and consoles months appearing in full glory on a tablet. But XCOM: Enemy Unknown for the iPad and iPhone is real, and launching later this year.

For those players new to Enemy Unknown, developed by Firaxis and published by 2K, the game features the secret agency XCOM, created to probe extraterrestrial threats to Earth. The game requires players to manage the XCOM agency, as well as recruit and train squad members for turn-based combat.

Visually, XCOM for the iPad doesn't look as sharp and detailed as it might on PC or console, but it's very subtle. As for the rest of the game, it plays exactly like XCOM only with touch controls.

Players can tap individual squad members or arrows at the bottom left of the screen to toggle between soldiers. Players also drag to move their character to position, or perform a twisting motion on screen with their thumb and index finger to rotate the top-down view at 90-degree increments. There's also the classic pinch move to zoom in and out.

Red alien icons on the right will pop up when a character is in range to attack, bringing up a menu of options and the odds of striking successfully. Players have access to standard attacks and special abilities. The sniper, for example, can execute a Headshot attack that deals extra damage, while Assault soldiers can Run and Gun, allowing them to move and attack in one turn.

Between missions, players will have the same access to XCOM headquarters, upgrading equipment, promoting their squad members and scanning the globe for more alien encounters.

Firaxis has yet to reveal pricing details, but notes that this will sell at a premium price.

Based on my demo, XCOM: Enemy Unknown fits beautifully on an iPad (an iPhone demo was not available). The touch controls work very well, and the turn-based mechanics allow players to hop in for as long as they choose. XCOM may provide a solution for hardcore video game players seeking a mobile title with more depth.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @bam923.