i loved both new XCOM (EW/Long War) and now after i waited for 1 ton of patches i am playing Xenonaunts.
I love the strategic layer, being able to bomb sites that you don't want to attack, those little info on the map where aliens attack, auto upgrades on the ceptors after a specific weapon research, soldier templates and more.
Overall its nice a game, but even if the graphics are great, they don't fit the theme. I mean they are too bright and colorful, it should be dark and gloomy and lots of effects on the map. The alien design is also kind shitty, androds are comical, the caesarian things the same, the lizard type look ok, the chrysalis are a joke, looking like cartoons and not so dangerous, so basically they lost a lot of the tension due to art direction and lack of map effects to make more dark. Music its good if you pump up the volume, it works quite well.
Now while i played almost evey year since 1996 UFO 1, but here and todays age, the tactical combat is not so good. The only satifisfaction i get is when my gunner kills somebody, or i get a cool snipe shoot. While i loved at first the TU combat(back in ze days), now the panzer general II, i mean XCOM EW tactical combat works better. I am talking about movement, cover and maybe even skills, the rest is limited unfortunately in EW. But thats the best of XCOM EW, the tactical combat, the strategic layer is shit, while here in Xeno, is too much micromanaging for nothing. Also firing from cover on reaction/overwatch should be a given, which again EW did good.
Its a decent game and i will play it more, but suffers from many shortcomings. However, due to strategic layer and a decent air combat, it works, but tactical its not so yummy. I would prefer a XCOM EW tactical combat, 2D, but of course with the freedom of Xeno, you make your own classse and/or customize, more space in inventory, ability to get items from the ground etc.
Also the UFO interior fights are a clusterfuck,(love the design tho) another good thing that XCOM EW Did, but they had more advantages there due to 3d and budget.
Overall the most faithful recreation of UFO 1, with some improvements, but with the mediocre tactical combat, and colorful art direction.