XCOM: Enemy Unknown was critically lauded when it came out late last year. Critics applauded the titles mixture of strategy and turn-based combat gameplay. The game was able to overcome the hype of being the remake of a classic and become one of the best titles of last year.
The game proved so popular that 2K Games approved an iOS version of the game that is set to come out this summer. Firaxis Games announced the iOS version of the game at PAX East earlier this year. The mobile version of the title is said to be a near-identical copy of the PC and console version of the game.
Using touch based controls, the iOS exclusive will see gamers zoom and tap their way through waves of alien enemies. 2K Games tells NBC News that the turn-based element of the game lends itself to the touch based controls of mobile gaming.
"Optimizing the controls for a touch interface seemed like a natural fit for a game like 'XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The game works very well with the 'game anywhere' style of titles that are so popular on iOS, with the turn-based approach lending itself to players who may be on the go," says a 2K Games spokesperson.
New details of the iOS game were given to Polygon. The website reports that the game will feature cloud saves and a multiplayer component. XCOM's cloud saves will allow gamers to save files in the cloud to be uploaded to various iOS devices.
The multiplayer component of the game will be introduced in a free update released after launch. Following the update, gamers will be able to play multiplayer scenarios similar to those found in the console version of the title.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown for consoles sold well despite being considered inaccessible prior to launch. The turn-based strategy gameplay was thought to be a far cry from other AAA titles like Call of Duty.
In spite of the questions surrounding the game, the title proved profitable. The game's success led developers to greenlight a spiritual sequel to the game. The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is a third-person shooter set in the XCOM universe. 2K Games is set to release the game for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 this August.