Firaxis has a daunting challenge to overcome with XCOM: Enemy Unknown. As a true successor to the beloved strategy classic, it has to sate the expectations of those that played the 1993 original. But, it needs to be flashy enough to catch the attention of the modern console gamer. How does one go about making a turn-based strategy game appeal to the masses?

Simple: stay as true to the original X-COM as possible. Fighting an alien invasion where the stakes are so high makes for great drama, no matter what the genre. Thanks to the game's unforgiving and brutal difficulty, every move matters that much more. Whereas other games had me mowing down hundreds of enemies, Enemy Unknown made me feel like every decision I made was crucial.

Read more: No more action points »

Although 2K Marin's first-person reboot of XCOM has disappeared into the ether, Firaxis' strategy game has been dated. XCOM: Enemy Unknown will be available on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 on October 9th.

Of course, no release date announcement is complete without mentioning pre-order bonus incentives. Pre-ordering the game from select retailers will entitle you to the "Elite Soldier Pack." This DLC add-on includes a classic X-COM soldier, inspired by the original UFO Defense. Soldiers can also be customized with a Deco pack and "complete color customization."

Read more: Special Edition exclusively for PC »