XCOM: Enemy Unknown review: Aliens invade

The extraterrestrial invaders in XCOM: Enemy Unknown aren't exactly benevolent; they have come to Earth to enslave humanity, but their advantage is more technological than physical. Indeed, the first aliens you encounter, the Sectoids, are so scrawny they look like a stiff breeze could snap them. But their laser guns can disintegrate human flesh, and some of them can take over helpless Earthling minds. XCOM (as in "extraterrestrial combat") is a throwback to the golden age of science fiction, when bug-eyed monsters stalked the pages of pulp magazines.

RATING M for Mature

PLOT Fighting aliens -- again

DETAILS Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, $60; PC, $50

BOTTOM LINE Chess with plasma rifles