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Phoenix Point

Phoenix Point is a turn-based tactics video game developed and published by Snapshot Games, a studio founded by British game designer Julian Gollop, who created the original X-COM series in the 1990s.^[1]^[2] Released on December 3, 2019, for Microsoft Windows via the Epic Games Store, it later launched on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2021, with macOS support available from launch.^[3]^[4] Set in a post-apocalyptic 2047, the game's narrative centers on the Pandoravirus, an ancient extraterrestrial pathogen that has resurfaced and begun mutating Earth's life forms into aggressive, evolving horrors, decimating human populations and forcing survivors into isolated factions.^[1] Players assume control of a reactivated cell within the Phoenix Project—a clandestine global initiative established decades earlier to preserve humanity—tasked with reestablishing contact with other dormant cells while combating the viral threat.^[1] The storyline unfolds through geopolitical intrigue, as players navigate alliances and rivalries among three ideologically distinct human factions: the technocratic New Jericho, the synergistic Disciples of Anu, and the scientifically driven Synedrion.^[2] Gameplay combines strategic oversight on a world map called the Geoscape—encompassing base construction, resource allocation, technological research, and diplomatic negotiations—with intense tactical combat on procedurally generated battlefields.^[1] Soldiers can be extensively customized with modular armor, weapons, and cybernetic enhancements, allowing for diverse class builds and adaptive loadouts to counter enemies that evolve in response to player tactics.^[2] The title's dynamic mutation system ensures that Pandoran foes, including massive bosses, grow more resilient and unpredictable over time, demanding constant strategic evolution from the player.^[1] Expansions like Blood and Titanium, Legacy of the Ancients, and Festering Skies have since added new content, including vehicles, horror-themed missions, and additional factions, culminating in the Behemoth Edition for consoles that bundles the base game with four major expansions.^[4]

Setting

World and timeline

In 2047, Earth is a post-apocalyptic wasteland ravaged by the Pandoravirus, an extraterrestrial pathogen that has decimated the human population to mere scattered havens of survivors. The virus, first discovered in 2022 amid melting permafrost in northern Siberia, possesses an enormous genome—with only about 1% of its genes matching known terrestrial databases, suggesting an alien origin.^[5] Initially exciting scientists for its potential insights into genetic recombination, the Pandoravirus quickly revealed its destructive nature by infecting humans, animals, and ecosystems, triggering rapid and grotesque mutations that transform hosts into aggressive, hybrid Pandoran creatures.^[5] The outbreak began subtly but escalated catastrophically within years. In 2022, researchers investigating unusual biological activity in thawing permafrost extracted samples of the virus, unaware it would soon spread via water sources and airborne means. By the mid-2020s, initial human infections emerged, manifesting as fever, tissue reconfiguration, and behavioral changes, while marine and terrestrial animals exhibited accelerated evolution into monstrous forms, such as oversized arthropods and amphibious horrors. Global quarantines were imposed in 2027 as coastal cities reported mass vanishings into mutating seas, but containment efforts failed amid the virus's adaptability, leading to widespread societal breakdown by 2040. Economies crumbled, governments fell, and billions perished or mutated, leaving isolated strongholds as humanity's last refuges.^[5]^[5] Central to the Pandoravirus's proliferation is the mist, a pervasive airborne microbial fog generated by infected waters and landmasses, acting as both vector and incubator for the pathogen. This mist not only facilitates the virus's global spread but also creates self-sustaining alien ecosystems, where mutated organisms thrive in environments increasingly toxic to unmodified life. The mist's expansion occurs in waves, each introducing new viral strains that evolve in response to environmental pressures and human resistance, further eroding habitable zones.^[5] The virus's overarching objective appears to be terraforming Earth into a biosphere antithetical to human dominance, systematically replacing native flora, fauna, and microbial life with an interconnected, adaptive alien network. This process, driven by the Pandoravirus's capacity to incorporate and remix DNA from diverse species, has rendered vast swaths of the planet—particularly oceans and lowlands—into hostile, fog-shrouded domains teeming with evolved threats. By 2042, surviving human groups coalesced into distinct factions as desperate responses to the crisis, each carving out territories amid the encroaching mist. In 2047, as a third major mist expansion threatens total extinction, the dormant Phoenix Project activates, awakening key personnel to coordinate a final stand against the viral onslaught.^[5]

Phoenix Project

The Phoenix Project is a global scientific and military organization dedicated to protecting humanity from existential threats, functioning as a network of autonomous cells activated only in times of severe peril. Established as a secret branch of the United Nations in the mid-20th century, it conducted covert research into potential dangers to humankind for decades before the Pandoravirus outbreak in 2022 triggered its full mobilization by 2047.^[1] The project positions itself as a neutral force, mediating between surviving human factions to foster cooperation and share technological advancements against the evolving alien menace, without aligning ideologically with any single group.^[6] Key personnel, including scientists and operatives, were preserved through cryosleep technologies to ensure leadership continuity during long-term crises.^[7] Upon awakening in 2047, these members oversee operations from mobile installations known as Phoenix Bases, which are self-contained hubs equipped with laboratories for scientific research, fabrication plants for weapon and vehicle production, and training facilities to prepare soldiers for tactical engagements. These bases can be relocated across the globe to respond dynamically to emerging threats, drawing on pre-outbreak archives to analyze and reverse-engineer captured alien artifacts.^[2] Central to the Phoenix Project's approach is its pioneering biotechnology, which involves hybridizing human physiology with Pandoravirus-derived elements to augment soldiers' capabilities, such as enhanced strength, regeneration, or specialized mutations tailored to combat needs. Diplomatic protocols and negotiation tools enable the project to form resource-sharing alliances with factions, allowing access to their unique expertise while maintaining operational independence. This balanced strategy underscores the organization's core imperative: to unite disparate human efforts under a unified defense, prioritizing survival through innovation and collaboration over ideological purity.^[1]

Disciples of Anu

The Disciples of Anu represent a syncretic religious faction that emerged in response to the Pandoravirus outbreak, viewing the virus not as an invader but as a divine instrument of transformation. Central to their ideology is the worship of Anu, the so-called Dead God, whom they believe manifests through the Pandoravirus to purify humanity of its sins and propel it toward biological evolution. Followers embrace controlled mutations as a sacred process, often involving rituals of sacrifice and devotion to accelerate symbiosis with the virus, seeing the Pandoran Mist as both a trial and a path to transcendence. This belief system synthesizes elements of pre-outbreak doomsday cults and Abrahamic traditions, positioning the faction as zealous proponents of human-alien integration over resistance.^[8]^[9] Leadership within the Disciples of Anu is hierarchical and mystical, guided by the Exalted, a prophetic figure who experienced visions from Anu and founded the cult to interpret the virus's will. The Exalted serves as the supreme authority, directing followers through enigmatic decrees and initiations that test devotion, while high priests oversee temples and rituals. Adherents, known as thralls, often display early signs of mutation—such as additional limbs or enhanced sensory organs—as marks of favor from Anu, reinforcing the cult's emphasis on physical and spiritual submission to the divine pathogen. This structure fosters a society where ascension in rank correlates with greater viral integration, blending fanaticism with pragmatic adaptation to the post-apocalyptic world.^[8] The faction's unique assets stem from their biotechnological affinity, including mutated soldiers equipped with viral weaponry like acid-spewing revolvers and psychic amplifiers derived from Pandoran biology. Thralls form the core of their forces, categorized into specialized roles such as the melee-oriented Berserkers, who gain willpower from combat frenzy, and Priests, whose cranial mutations enable mind control over lesser Pandorans like Mutogs and deployment of debilitating psychic blasts. Their havens are strategically located in heavily contaminated zones, where the Mist's presence strengthens their defenses and accelerates mutation research, allowing them to maintain a larger network of settlements than rival factions. These bases double as ritual sites, sustaining a devoted populace through symbiotic enhancements that prioritize resilience over traditional technology.^[9]^[8] Ultimately, the Disciples of Anu pursue a radical merger of humanity with the Pandoravirus, aiming to evolve followers into transcendent hybrids that embody Anu's vision of perfected existence. This objective manifests in their development of units exhibiting advanced symbiotic traits, akin to the formidable Pandoran forms such as the armored Arthrons and mind-dominating Sirens, which represent the pinnacle of viral-human fusion. By willingly sacrificing purity for power, the faction positions itself as humanity's evolutionary vanguard, challenging other groups' rejection of mutation in favor of a unified, god-like collective.^[8]

New Jericho

New Jericho is a militaristic faction dedicated to humanity's survival through technological superiority and unyielding defense against the Pandoravirus. Founded by Tobias West, a former U.S. Army Major and billionaire CEO of Vanadium Inc., the organization emerged in the 2020s as a response to the escalating alien threat, leveraging West's industrial expertise to build a global network of resistance.^[10] West enforces strict hierarchies and meritocratic principles, positioning New Jericho as a beacon of human will and reason in a fractured world.^[10]^[11] The faction's ideology centers on the preservation of unmodified humanity, viewing the Pandoravirus as an existential assault on free will that must be eradicated entirely through firepower and isolationism.^[10]^[8] New Jericho rejects any tolerance for mutations, advocating instead for the purity of human form enhanced solely by technology and discipline; this hardline stance results in purges of infected individuals to safeguard their communities from viral corruption.^[10]^[8] Broadcasts from their leaders emphasize unity against division, corruption, and the alien contagion, fostering an international following while maintaining secretive operations to screen recruits rigorously.^[10] New Jericho's assets reflect their emphasis on brute force and fortification, including heavy armored vehicles such as the durable Armadillo APC for troop transport and the long-range Thunderbird aircraft.^[8]^[12] Their arsenal features ballistic weapons like heavy machine guns and sniper rifles, alongside advanced Gauss-based systems, wielded by soldiers in powered armor that enables direct confrontation with alien hordes.^[12]^[13] Fortified citadels serve as their strongholds, designed in a Brutalist style with steep concrete walls and modular structures for rapid defense, strategically placed in defensible regions around the world.^[14]^[10] Soldiers, often heavies equipped with gatling-style weaponry, embody the faction's doctrine of overwhelming technological dominance.^[12]

Synedrion

Synedrion represents a decentralized utopian faction in Phoenix Point, organized as a network of self-sustaining communes governed by rotating AI-assisted councils that prioritize collective decision-making, equality, and ecological sustainability.^[15]^[8] This structure emerged from pre-collapse political movements rooted in anarchism, communalism, and syndicalism, allowing the faction to adapt flexibly amid the global crisis while fostering communal resource sharing and democratic ideals.^[15]^[16] At the core of Synedrion's ideology is a commitment to technological progress in harmony with nature, using cybernetic augmentations and artificial intelligence to enhance human potential without succumbing to the Pandoravirus's mutative effects.^[17] They advocate for a rational, balanced coexistence with the altered biosphere, employing AI-driven analysis to hack and repurpose elements of alien biology rather than eradicate them outright.^[15]^[17] This philosophy rejects both militaristic dominance and mutational worship, instead promoting sustainable innovation to rebuild society on principles of freedom and environmental respect.^[16]^[8] Synedrion's technological arsenal emphasizes precision and adaptability, featuring drones for versatile support roles, energy-based weapons like high-accuracy lasers, and advanced stealth systems integrated into lightweight armors.^[17] These assets are typically developed and deployed from hidden forested enclaves that minimize ecological disruption, showcasing their dedication to green technology.^[17]^[8] For instance, their Infiltrator units utilize cloaking fields derived from reverse-engineered viral mechanics, enabling covert operations that align with the faction's ethos of minimal intervention and strategic balance.^[17]

Gameplay

Global strategy

The Geoscape serves as the overarching strategic layer in Phoenix Point, where players oversee global operations on a dynamic world map progressively engulfed by the spreading Pandoran Mist. This mist originates from coastal areas and expands inward, concealing Pandoran structures such as nests, lairs, and citadels while increasing infection rates and complicating human survival; players must prioritize regions to scan and intervene, as unchecked expansion leads to haven attrition and potential global collapse.^[18]^[19] Players manage exploration by constructing Satellite Uplink facilities at bases, which enable scanning for points of interest including faction havens and resource sites. Achieving supportive relations with factions, marked by +25 attitude, automatically reveals all their havens—approximately 30 per faction—facilitating targeted expeditions.^[18]^[20]^[21] Resources like food, materials, tech, and mutagens are acquired through these expeditions, scavenging missions, or trading with factions, where rates vary; for instance, the Disciples of Anu offer the most economical food exchanges at 2 tech for 12 food units.^[18]^[20]^[22] Base management involves activating new sites remotely at escalating costs—starting with 300 materials and 50 tech for the first—and expanding facilities to support operations. Key structures include Living Quarters for faster soldier recovery, Research Labs generating 4 research points per hour for technology queues, and manufacturing bays for equipment production and aircraft customization, such as upgrading interceptors or transports. These elements form queues that players balance to sustain long-term campaigns.^[23] Threat response centers on defending havens from Pandoran assaults, which represent virus-driven outbreaks eroding human populations. Successful defenses reduce global panic levels, measured by the Human Population Census and accelerating Doomsday Clock, while also revealing nearby Pandoran bases for proactive strikes; destroying a citadel, for example, grants +12 attitude with affected factions and slows mist proliferation. Panic management thus requires timely interventions to preserve havens and maintain faction stability.^[24]^[25]

Tactical combat

Tactical combat in Phoenix Point occurs on a grid-based battlefield, where players control squads of soldiers in turn-based engagements against Pandoran forces. Each turn, soldiers operate within a system of action points (AP), typically starting with 4 AP per soldier, which are expended on movement, shooting, or abilities. Movement allows soldiers to traverse the grid, with continuous pathing enabling partial AP use for precise positioning, while shooting costs vary by weapon—such as 3 AP for sniper rifles or 1 AP for pistols—and factors in range, cover, and proficiency. Overwatch, costing the same AP as a standard shot, positions a soldier to automatically fire at enemies entering a conical field of view up to 175 degrees within their perception range, adding a layer of defensive reactivity.^[26] The environment plays a dynamic role, featuring destructible cover and scenery that responds realistically to ballistics. High and low cover can be chipped away or fully destroyed based on projectile trajectories, material density, and firing angles, allowing players to create new lines of sight or expose enemies through strategic destruction. This simulationist approach extends to the free-aim system, which lets players manually target specific body parts using a reticle with a 50% hit chance in the inner circle, increasing accuracy at closer ranges; destroying limbs (reducing their HP to zero) can disable abilities, cause bleeding damage over time (10 HP per turn), or impair mobility.^[26] Soldiers are customizable across classes like Assault, Heavy, and Sniper, each with branching skill trees unlocked via experience points earned in combat. Assaults excel in close-quarters versatility with skills such as Dash (3 willpower points [WP] and 1 AP to move half speed, usable twice per turn) and Return Fire (passive reaction shot at half perception range), paired with proficiency in assault rifles and shotguns. Heavies focus on area denial and high damage, wielding machine guns or grenade launchers with abilities like War Cry (3 WP and 1 AP to limit nearby enemies to 2 AP) and Boom Blast (5 WP to reduce explosive costs by 1 AP and extend range by 50%). Snipers provide long-range precision, using sniper rifles with skills including Quick Aim (3 WP to reduce next shot's AP by 1) and Weak Spot (passive armor removal on disabled parts). All classes level up to allocate skill points, enhancing tactical depth.^[27] Equipment emphasizes modularity, allowing soldiers to assemble weapons from interchangeable parts sourced from factions or manufacturing, affecting stats like damage (e.g., 6x30 for an Ares AR-1 rifle), piercing, and utility. Armor similarly modules for protection (e.g., HP values) and slots for items like grenades or medkits, with proficiency penalties (up to 50% range reduction) applying if mismatched to class. This system enables loadout experimentation, balancing offense, defense, and mobility for mission-specific needs.^[27]^[26] Missions unfold across varied objectives on procedurally influenced maps, demanding adaptive tactics. Defending havens involves repelling waves of attackers to protect structures and civilians, often with 2-4 allied NPCs under player control, yielding 75-250 XP for preservation alongside kill rewards. Assaulting nests requires navigating tight, fog-shrouded caverns to destroy Hatching Sentinels amid spawning enemies like Arthrons and Tritons, offering 400 XP and 4 skill points upon success. Scavenging sites focus on resource collection, soldier rescues, or vehicle recovery, with extraction phases requiring manual item pickup and evac to a designated zone; overgrown variants introduce mist-spawning Sentinels for added peril, rewarding 300 XP and 3 skill points base. These encounters test squad coordination against evolving alien threats, where behaviors like part-specific mutations influence targeting priorities.^[28]

Mutating aliens

The Pandorans in Phoenix Point are driven by the Pandoravirus, an extraterrestrial pathogen that infects and mutates terrestrial life forms, incorporating genetic material from various species to create adaptive abominations under a collective hive mind. This virus enables rapid evolution, where Pandorans analyze defeats in global conflicts and develop resistances to counter human tactics, such as enhanced armor on Chirons in response to frequent use of heavy explosives or ballistic weapons.^[29]^[30] Initially lacking advanced features, Pandorans progress through an independent evolution system that unlocks mutations over time, influenced by battle outcomes rather than a fixed progression, ensuring they adapt dynamically to player strategies without overemphasizing victories.^[31] The Pandoran forces exhibit a clear unit hierarchy, ranging from basic infantry like the swarming Scramblers—mindless, melee-focused drones that overwhelm through numbers—to elite heavy units such as Arthrons with acid-spitting capabilities, and culminating in massive bosses like Titans, which serve as fortified command structures with multiple weapon systems, defensive layers, and aggressive AI behaviors. Pandoran nests function as dynamic spawning points, generating waves of lesser units to reinforce larger threats, creating escalating encounters that test tactical positioning during combat. This structure allows for coordinated assaults, where weaker variants distract while superiors exploit vulnerabilities. A distinctive aspect of Pandoran evolution involves hybrid forms resulting from captures or integrations with faction technologies, producing cybernetic variants that blend organic mutations with human-derived augmentations, such as weaponized limbs incorporating salvaged firearms or mechanical reinforcements. These hybrids emerge when the virus assimilates captured specimens, leading to abominations that wield combined biological and technological strengths, further complicating defensive strategies. The game's mutation system generates over 100 distinct enemy variants through procedural body part swaps and adaptations, with players able to track these changes via in-game research on captured or autopsied specimens to anticipate and develop counters, such as specialized ammunition or targeting protocols.^[29]^[32]

Faction alliances

In Phoenix Point, players manage diplomatic relations with the three primary human factions—New Jericho, Synedrion, and the Disciples of Anu—through a system of attitude levels that range from hostile to devoted, influencing access to resources and support. Negotiations occur on the Geoscape, where players can trade materials, complete faction-specific missions such as haven defenses or sabotage operations against rivals, or provide aid during Pandoran attacks to improve standing.^[33]^[6] Achieving supportive status (+25 attitude) reveals all faction havens, while alignment (+50 attitude) unlocks shared research projects and the ability to recruit faction soldiers with unique abilities into Phoenix squads.^[6] Benefits of alliances include gaining specialized weapons, armor, and manufacturing options tailored to each faction's ideology, such as New Jericho's heavy firepower or Synedrion's advanced robotics, which integrate into the Phoenix Project's arsenal for tactical customization.^[6] At devoted status (+75 attitude), factions offer elite recruits and priority mission support, enhancing global strategy by bolstering defenses and research speed. However, these gains come with trade-offs, as prioritizing one faction's missions or trades reduces attitude with the others, potentially dropping them to hostile and triggering retaliatory raids or denied access to their technologies.^[33]^[34] Hostile relations escalate risks, including elevated alert levels that block diplomatic missions until goodwill is restored through neutral actions like eliminating Pandoran nests, and can lead to full-scale wars between factions that strain the player's resources.^[33] Espionage provides an alternative to alliances, with "Steal Research" missions allowing infiltration of faction havens to hack consoles—requiring two uninterrupted turns—and extract data on proprietary technologies, which can then be reverse-engineered without diplomatic repercussions, though failure alerts the faction and worsens relations.^[33]^[34] Alliance choices culminate in multiple endings, determined by which faction reaches devoted status first and completes their endgame research, such as New Jericho's militaristic dominance or the Disciples of Anu's hybrid evolution, shaping the post-victory world and reflecting the player's strategic priorities.^[6]

Development

Background and crowdfunding

Julian Gollop, the designer of the original UFO: Enemy Unknown (1994), envisioned Phoenix Point as a spiritual successor to that classic turn-based strategy game, aiming to innovate on emergent gameplay and alien adaptation mechanics. After working on various projects, Gollop co-founded Snapshot Games in 2013 with producer David Kaye to realize this vision independently, establishing the studio in Sofia, Bulgaria, to focus on strategy titles.^[35]^[36] In April 2017, Snapshot Games launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Fig platform, seeking $500,000 to fund core development, expand the team, and support marketing efforts. The campaign concluded successfully on June 8, 2017, raising $765,948 from 10,314 backers and investors, surpassing the goal by 53% and unlocking stretch goals such as deployable vehicles in tactical battles at $650,000. This funding enabled the implementation and refinement of key features, including the dynamic faction system that allows players to ally with or compete against human organizations amid the alien threat.^[37]^[38] Following the campaign, Snapshot Games released the first Backer Build on May 1, 2018, providing pre-alpha access to the tactical combat layer for contributors and early adopters. Subsequent builds, such as Build 2 in July 2018, expanded to include geoscape elements and more missions, with iterative beta testing through community feedback directly influencing the core gameplay loop, including balance adjustments for soldier abilities and alien mutations.^[39]^[40] In March 2019, Snapshot Games announced a partnership with Epic Games Store, securing exclusivity for the PC launch in exchange for over $2 million in funding, which brought total project investment beyond $2 million when combined with crowdfunding proceeds. This deal, revealed on March 12, 2019, also committed the studio to providing a year of free DLC content to backers, including three expansion packs with new storylines, factions, and mechanics, to offset the platform shift from the originally promised Steam release.^[41]^[42]^[43]

Design and inspirations

Phoenix Point's design draws heavily from the turn-based strategy genre pioneered by Julian Gollop himself, particularly his work on the original X-COM series, which emphasized tense tactical combat and global threat management. Gollop has cited the Firaxis reboots of X-COM as influences for their accessibility and innovations like over-the-shoulder firing and character customization, while seeking to evolve the formula with greater strategic depth.^[44] The game also reflects elements from Gollop's earlier titles, such as Chaos Gate, incorporating squad-based tactics against evolving enemies in a narrative-driven setting. Central to the design is emergent storytelling, where player decisions interact with dynamic systems to create unpredictable narratives, distinguishing it from linear plots in prior games.^[45] Key design pillars include procedural mutations for the Pandoravirus aliens, allowing them to adapt dynamically to player tactics through unique combinations of body parts, such as shields or grenade launchers, fostering a sense of ongoing evolution and replayability. Faction geopolitics form another core element, with AI-controlled human factions pursuing independent objectives, economies, and alliances that respond to global events, enabling complex diplomatic interactions and conflicts. Hybrid technology melding allows players to combine faction-specific advancements—such as New Jericho's military hardware with Synedrion's stealth tech or the Disciples of Anu's biological mutations—encouraging strategic customization and adaptation. These pillars aim to create a living world where player agency shapes outcomes, including multiple endings based on faction alignments and research choices, avoiding predetermined narratives.^[44]^[45] Lore development emphasized building a rich backstory through short stories released to crowdfunding backers, which explored the Phoenix Project's history of mystery, sacrifice, and horror while detailing faction origins and the alien threat. These narratives, well-received for enhancing immersion, include tales tied to the Disciples of Anu, portraying their cultish worship of the Pandoravirus as a divine force for human evolution. This approach integrated world-building directly into community engagement, providing conceptual depth without relying on exhaustive in-game exposition.^[46]

Production team

Snapshot Games, an independent video game studio based in Sofia, Bulgaria, led the development of Phoenix Point after its founding in 2013 by British designer Julian Gollop, who served as creative director and CEO. The core team grew to approximately 30 members by the game's launch, encompassing roles in programming, art, production, and administration; key personnel included CTO Sergey Georgiev, Art Director Borislav Bogdanov, Environment Art Director Rossen Tzvetanov, and Lead Producer Hristo Petkov. In November 2020, Snapshot Games was acquired by [Embracer Group](/page/Embracer Group), which supported ongoing DLC development and console adaptations.^[35]^[47]^[48] The production process presented several challenges, including managing expanded scope from ambitious crowdfunding commitments, which contributed to multiple delays for refinement and testing. Early access releases in 2019 highlighted persistent bugs, such as mission progression issues and performance glitches, requiring iterative fixes to stabilize gameplay before full launch. Additionally, adapting the title for console ports involved collaboration with Saber Interactive in Minsk, Belarus, to optimize controls and address platform-specific hurdles like simultaneous update deployments.^[49]^[50]^[51] Technically, Phoenix Point utilized the Unity engine, which the team customized to enable intricate tactical mechanics, including free-aiming systems and procedural alien mutations that dynamically evolve based on player actions. A post-launch upgrade to Unity 2019 was implemented in July 2020 to enhance stability and visual fidelity in the fully 3D environments.^[52]^[53] Voice acting was incorporated for faction representatives, soldiers, and narrative elements, with contributions from performers like Sandra Espinoza, Thomas G. Burt, and Natalie Van Sistine to bring depth to the game's lore and interactions.^[54]

Release

Launch and platforms

Phoenix Point entered early access for backers and pre-order customers on PC in June 2018, allowing players to experience initial builds during development. The full version launched on December 3, 2019, for Microsoft Windows and macOS, initially available through the Epic Games Store and Xbox Game Pass for PC.^[55]^[3] The PC release featured a one-year timed exclusivity deal with the Epic Games Store, extending until December 2020, during which Epic provided funding that enabled Snapshot Games to offer a full year of free DLC content to early purchasers and backers who had pledged before the deal's announcement in March 2019.^[56]^[57] The game later became available on Steam and GOG in December 2020 following the exclusivity period. A port to Google Stadia followed on January 26, 2021, expanding availability to cloud gaming, until the service's discontinuation on January 18, 2023.^[58]^[59] Console versions arrived later with the Behemoth Edition, released on October 1, 2021, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One; this edition bundled the base game with all major expansions and included optimizations such as full controller support, redesigned UI elements for television screens, and adjusted input schemes to better suit console gameplay.^[4]^[60] The launch saw strong initial interest, though technical issues including crashes and balance problems prompted immediate post-release patches, such as the major update on December 16, 2019, which fixed numerous bugs and improved stability.^[61]

Expansions and DLCs

Phoenix Point received several post-release expansions and downloadable content packs that introduced new factions, classes, enemies, missions, and gameplay mechanics, significantly broadening the scope of the base game's strategic and tactical elements. These additions were released over a period from 2019 to 2022, with the developer Snapshot Games outlining a roadmap that ultimately delivered five major DLCs alongside a pre-order bonus pack.^[62]^[63] The Living Weapons Pack, available as a pre-order incentive in late 2019, provided cosmetic items such as unique soldier outfits and weapon skins, along with additional missions to enhance early access to new content. Subsequent releases formed the core of the Expansion Pass, starting with Blood and Titanium on March 4, 2020, which added the Priest class specializing in bionics and support abilities, new enemy types from the Pure sub-faction, and three story-driven missions focused on technological enhancements.^[64]^[65] Legacy of the Ancients, launched on August 26, 2020, expanded the Synedrion faction with advanced psionic technologies, new elite enemies, and a narrative arc exploring ancient alien artifacts through dedicated research trees and missions. Festering Skies followed on May 25, 2021, introducing aerial combat mechanics with customizable aircraft, new pilot classes, and battles against flying Pandoran threats, including interceptor missions and expanded strategic layers for air superiority.^[66] The fourth DLC, Corrupted Horizons on October 1, 2021, brought the Lost Legion faction, comprising armored human survivors with heavy weaponry, along with new story missions uncovering corrupted alliances and additional manufacturing options.^[67]^[68] The final major expansion, Kaos Engines in March 2022, emphasized vehicular combat by adding the Kaos Buggy—a customizable ground vehicle—along with chaos technology weapons, a new marketplace for upgrades, and missions integrating vehicle tactics into ground operations.^[69]^[70] Alongside these paid expansions, Snapshot Games released free updates to integrate DLC content narratively and mechanically into the core campaign, such as the Azathoth content update in March 2022, which added balance changes, new missions accessible to all players, and adjustments for mutating enemies like Mutogs without requiring the Kaos Engines DLC.^[71] Ongoing patches through 2022 further refined balance, ensuring seamless incorporation of expansion elements like new units and story arcs.^[72] No new major DLC has been released since 2022, though the game continues to receive occasional patches as of 2025.^[73] By 2022, these five major DLCs had collectively extended the game's campaign through added units, faction alliances, and innovative mechanics such as aircraft and vehicle combat, culminating in the Phoenix Point: Complete Edition released in July 2022, which bundled the base game with all expansions, free updates, and Steam Workshop mod support for continued community enhancements.^[74]^[75]

Reception

Critical reviews

Phoenix Point received mixed or average reviews upon release, earning a Metacritic score of 74/100 for the PC version based on 50 critic reviews.^[76] Critics frequently praised the game's innovative approach to mutating aliens and faction alliances, which introduced dynamic enemy evolution and diplomatic choices that enhanced strategic depth and replayability beyond traditional turn-based tactics formulas.^[77] For instance, the procedural mutations were lauded for creating tense, unpredictable encounters, while the three distinct factions—New Jericho's technocratic focus, Synedrion's cybernetic harmony, and the Disciples of Anu's cultish mutations—were highlighted for fostering meaningful alliances and narrative immersion.^[77] However, common criticisms centered on technical shortcomings at launch, including buggy AI behaviors that led to illogical enemy decisions and unbalanced combat scenarios, as well as a user interface that felt cluttered and slowed pacing during tactical planning.^[6] IGN awarded the game a 7/10, commending its fresh ideas like manual aiming and hit-zone targeting for revitalizing the genre, but noting that many mechanics required further balancing to avoid frustration.^[78] Similarly, PC Gamer gave it a 77/100, appreciating the deep strategy and atmospheric world-building, yet pointing out persistent bugs and rough edges that undermined the experience.^[6] Post-launch updates and DLCs, such as the Year One Edition and Behemoth Edition, addressed many initial issues like AI glitches and UI refinements, leading to improved player and critic sentiment over time.^[79] By 2022, retrospective analyses noted that while core pacing challenges remained, the enhancements elevated the game's strengths in replayability and tactical nuance, solidifying its appeal for fans of complex strategy titles.^[79]

Commercial performance

Phoenix Point achieved moderate commercial success as an independent title in the strategy genre, with Steam sales totaling approximately 198,000 units and generating around $4.6 million in gross revenue as of late 2025.^[80] The game's release on consoles including PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2021, followed by bundled editions like the Year One and Complete Editions, contributed to broader accessibility and additional sales across platforms, though exact multi-platform figures remain undisclosed by developer and publisher Snapshot Games. On Steam, concurrent player peaks reached 4,993 shortly after its 2019 early access launch, while in 2025, monthly averages hovered around 250 players with recent highs of 527 amid modding activity and minor updates.^[81] The title's player base has been sustained by an active community, particularly through modding efforts that extend its lifespan. The Terror from the Void mod, a comprehensive overhaul introducing new story elements, classes, and AI improvements, has garnered significant adoption on Steam Workshop since its 1.0 release in 2024, with ongoing seasons and updates fostering replayability.^[82] Official forums hosted by Snapshot Games continue to see discussions on gameplay strategies and bug reports into 2025, while the r/PhoenixPoint subreddit maintains steady engagement with posts on builds, glitches, and mod integrations.^[83] Free content updates, such as the 2022 Azathoth patch accompanying the Kaos Engines DLC, provided balance changes and new features without additional cost, helping to retain interest post-launch.^[84] In terms of long-term impact, Phoenix Point's dynamic enemy adaptation mechanics—where foes mutate in response to player tactics—have influenced subsequent entries in the turn-based tactics genre by emphasizing procedural evolution over static threats.^[30] Developer Snapshot Games, founded by X-COM creator Julian Gollop, has leveraged the project's experience in follow-up endeavors, including the 2025 tactical RPG Frosthaven adaptation and the action-strategy hybrid Chip 'n Clawz vs. The Brainioids, both announced that year.^[85] A minor Steam update in October 2025 addressed compatibility issues, coinciding with mod revivals that briefly spiked player engagement.^[73]

References

[1]
Phoenix Point
You control one cell, gathering some of the world's best scientists, engineers and soldiers. After your cell is activated, you realize that you have no contact ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[2]
Phoenix Point on Steam
In stock Rating 3.5 (2,806) The acclaimed strategy game from the creator of X-COM. Fight tactical battles on procedural maps against a foe that adapts to your tactics.
[3]
Phoenix Point Release Date and DLC - Snapshot Games Forums
Nov 1, 2019 · We're excited to announce that Phoenix Point will be available on PC via the Epic Games Store as of Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at 11 AM Pacific Standard Time!
[4]
Phoenix Point: Behemoth Edition for Xbox and PlayStation Releases ...
Jul 13, 2021 · Phoenix Point: Behemoth Edition will release on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One on Oct. 1, 2021. It features the full base game, four major DLC expansions.Missing: platforms | Show results with:platforms<|control11|><|separator|>
[5]
https://phoenixpoint.info
[6]
Phoenix Point review | PC Gamer
Rating 77% · Review by Jonathan BoldingDec 3, 2019 · It's a world of weird fiction monsters, heroic sci-fi soldiers, and the body horror they share. It has some wonderful visual design and a well-established, ...
[7]
New Jericho - wiki.phoenixpoint.com
Jan 8, 2021 · Sophia Villanova. NJ Sofia(256).png. Sophia Villanova is a physics expert and military weapons engineer. A 1pp.png Phoenix Project operative ...
[8]
Phoenix Point Factions & Diplomacy - Missions, Raids, Trade, and ...
Dec 9, 2019 · Our Phoenix Point Factions & Diplomacy guide will walk you through the three main factions of the game, along with missions, raids, wars, ...Phoenix Point Factions guide · New Jericho · Synedrion · Disciples of Anu
[9]
The Mutations of Anu - Phoenix Point
Jul 29, 2019 · The Disciples of Anu Assault. The Assault class is the reliable foot soldier of Phoenix Point and is the only class available to every faction.The Assault · The Priest · The Berserker
[10]
New Jericho - Phoenix Point
Jul 8, 2017 · A report on New Jericho, the militaristic faction led by Tobias West, who seeks the total eradication of the Pandoravirus and its creatures.Missing: faction | Show results with:faction<|control11|><|separator|>
[11]
Phoenix Point - New Jericho Faction Trailer - YouTube
Nov 8, 2019 · Charismatic individualist Tobias West leads New Jericho, a group dedicated to eradicating the alien threat and restoring the Earth to ...
[12]
New Jericho Classes, Weapons and Vehicles - Phoenix Point
Oct 30, 2017 · The aim with Phoenix Point is to make each class (or enemy archetype) easily identifiable from their silhouette, regardless of faction.
[13]
Arming the Factions - Phoenix Point
Aug 23, 2018 · New Jericho for example, as you may have seen in the Backer Build, use Gauss-based weapons. The Phoenix Project on the other hand use more ...
[14]
Haven Design and Map Generation - Phoenix Point
Dec 1, 2017 · As New Jericho are a militaristic faction, their buildings generally take on a very fortified "Brutalist" look, with steep, concrete walls and ...
[15]
Phoenix Point has three human factions who have very different ...
Nov 24, 2019 · Synedrion, according to Phoenix Point's official site, is an anarchist/communalist/syndicalist faction focused on rebuilding the world with ...
[16]
Phoenix Point - Synedrion Faction Trailer - YouTube
Nov 15, 2019 · Does a conflict of visions lead to new ideas or simply to more conflict? Synedrion push for democratic ideals, a rational approach to ...
[17]
The Science of Synedrion - Phoenix Point
Jul 13, 2019 · Synedrion are on the cutting edge of technology, using advanced tech, a stealth Infiltrator class, and a mine launcher. They have classes like ...
[18]
Geoscape - wiki.phoenixpoint.com
Oct 2, 2021 · The pace in Phoenix Point on the Geoscape is very fast: on any day you can do any number of missions with the same squad, and as you assemble more squads, you ...
[19]
http://wiki.phoenixpoint.com/Geoscape#Practical_implications_of_mist
[20]
http://wiki.phoenixpoint.com/Getting_Started#poi
[21]
http://wiki.phoenixpoint.com/Diplomacy
[22]
http://wiki.phoenixpoint.com/Geoscape#Resources
[23]
http://wiki.phoenixpoint.com/Geoscape#Buildings
[24]
http://wiki.phoenixpoint.com/Mission_Types#Haven_Defense
[25]
Combat - wiki.phoenixpoint.com
Oct 22, 2021 · All characters start missions with will points (WP) equal to their willpower attribute. WP are used to power skills and abilities.
[26]
Classes and Skills - wiki.phoenixpoint.com
### Summary of Phoenix Point Soldier Classes: Assault, Heavy, Sniper
[27]
Mission Types - wiki.phoenixpoint.com
Jan 4, 2021 · Pandoran Bases. The missions to destroy a Pandoran base become available once the Pandoran structure is discovered after a succesful Haven or ...
[28]
Phoenix Point Interview: Fighting Constantly Evolving Sea Aliens
Jun 20, 2018 · The idea of enemies evolving their own tactics against the player's tactics sounds very cool, but also terrifying. Would this mechanic make the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[29]
Phoenix Point's Enemies Will Learn From You - Intel
Dec 3, 2019 · Phoenix Point's AI enemies are much like Jurassic Park's raptors, only they don't simply remember your behavior; they mutate their bodies to counter it.
[30]
Cthulhu Update and Hotfix - July/August 2020 - Phoenix Point
Aug 4, 2020 · Pandorans start off without any weapons or mutations. They now have their own research and evolution system that develops over the course of the ...
[31]
Backer Build One - Phoenix Point
Mar 26, 2018 · Backer Build One releases May 1st, includes an inventory system, and features a mutation system where enemies can change their body parts.
[32]
Upcoming Hypnos Update Changes Faction Diplomacy, Research ...
Sep 17, 2021 · Hypnos is our next free content update for PC players that focuses on diplomatic changes to make Phoenix Point more nuanced, Quality-of-Life improvements.
[33]
https://phoenixpoint.info/blog/2021/9/17/upcoming-hypnos-update
[34]
Our Team - Snapshot Games
Snapshot Games is a video game development studio in Sofia, Bulgaria, founded in 2013 by Julian Gollop, award winning designer of the original X-COM games.
[35]
Snapshot Games - Phoenix Point
Snapshot Games was founded in 2013 by Julian Gollop and David Kaye. Gollop is recognized for creating the X-COM video game franchise in the 1990s with UFO ...Missing: background 2014
[36]
https://press.phoenixpoint.info/sheet.php?p=snapshot_games
[37]
X-COM Creator's Spiritual Successor, Phoenix Point Hits ... - IGN
May 2, 2017 · The stretch goal description says: "Deploy vehicles to tactical battles for carrying troops and providing heavy weapons support. They can also ...
[38]
Backer Build One: Everything You Need To Know - Phoenix Point
Apr 29, 2018 · Backer Build One is a pre-alpha build of the tactical portion of the gameplay. It contains the demo map which you may have seen from the previous events that ...Missing: beta testing
[39]
Phoenix Point's new early access build is out now, and you can get ...
Jul 3, 2018 · If you can't wait for the game's full release next year, you can buy into early access with the Luxury Digital Edition, and get 15% off by using ...
[40]
Phoenix Point's Epic Store exclusivity deal is worth $2.25 million ...
Apr 22, 2019 · Epic Games paid more than $2 million to Phoenix Point developer Snapshot Games to secure a timed exclusive on its Epic Games Store.
[41]
Phoenix Point Crowdfunding Breaks $2M: How It Was Done
Aug 13, 2018 · Back in June 2017, Phoenix Point raised $938,077 on Fig. Phoenix Point was a new strategy title from Snapshot Games, the developer operated ...
[42]
Epic — Phoenix Point
We have signed a deal with Epic Games to bring Phoenix Point exclusively to the Epic Games Store for its first year of release on PC and Mac.Missing: 2019 funding
[43]
Interview: Julian Gollop on Phoenix Point, XCOM, and Dynamic ...
Apr 20, 2018 · At a cursory glance, Julian Gollop's Phoenix Point looks very similar to XCOM. By this, I don't mean the series of games that commenced with ...Missing: inspirations Gate
[44]
From X-Com to Phoenix Point - Game Developer
May 3, 2017 · From X-Com to Phoenix Point. Some thoughts on going from being a huge fan of X-Com to actually working with Julian Gollop on Phoenix Point.Missing: Chaos | Show results with:Chaos
[45]
Phoenix Point is X-COM creator Julian Gollop's vision of a grand ...
Feb 11, 2019 · “We've produced a number of short stories for [crowdfunding] backers, which have been well received and give the game a rich backstory. In the ...
[46]
Phoenix Point declining player-base - Page 11 - Game Feedback
May 16, 2021 · The game's expectations have therefore increased. This is a title made by a 30-person independent team, and it'll be inevitably compared to 2K' ...
[47]
Phoenix Point Delayed 3 Months to September 2019 for ... - ResetEra
Feb 5, 2019 · Creative director Julian Gollop said the game will be "content complete" before then, but "the extra time will give us the chance to test and ...
[48]
For Phoenix Point on console, X-COM creator Julian Gollop says he ...
Oct 8, 2021 · For Phoenix Point on console, X-COM creator Julian Gollop says he "quite shamelessly copied" the Firaxis games he inspired. Features. By Joe ...
[49]
Longread: All problems I've encountered so far : r/PhoenixPoint
Sep 16, 2019 · Had to load an old savegame and do several missions again. So here I will specify the bugs I've encountered so far, maybe it will help - most of ...I was thinking of getting Phoenix point but I heared some ... - RedditImprovements? : r/PhoenixPoint - RedditMore results from www.reddit.comMissing: development creep
[50]
Unity 2019 release - v. Danforth 1.5.2 - 07/07/2020 - Phoenix Point
Jul 7, 2020 · We are updating Phoenix Point to a newer version of the Unity Engine and addressing the following issues: Fixed an issue where the Geoscape ...
[51]
Large Phoenix Point Units, Unity Performance and Bugs / Mission ...
Dec 10, 2019 · I'm running the Game on an GTX 1060, 4x 3,4GhZ CPUI and 16GB RAM, so no high end rig, but the Resource hogging of Unity Engine is kinda annoying ...Missing: access challenges
[52]
Phoenix Point credits (Windows, 2019) - MobyGames
Music, John Broomhall, Simeon Dotkov ; Voice Acting, Dan Taraborreli, Natalie Van Sistine, Tom Harris, Erin Fitz, Matt Ellis, Sandra Espinoza, Thomas G.
[53]
New Phoenix Point PC Release Date Announced - RPGamer
Nov 3, 2019 · Snapshot Games announced that its upcoming tactical RPG Phoenix Point will now be released for PC on December 3, 2019.
[54]
Phoenix Point has been delayed on Xbox Game Pass ... - PC Gamer
Dec 6, 2019 · It launched on December 3, but the Microsoft version remains MIA. Initially the plan seems to have been to launch both versions on the same day, ...
[55]
Phoenix Point, The XCOM-Like Strategy Game By The Creator Of X ...
Mar 13, 2019 · Phoenix Point, The XCOM-Like Strategy Game By The Creator Of X-COM, Is An Epic Games Store Exclusive · Backers and prior pre-orders get one-year ...
[56]
Phoenix Point | Newzoo
Oct 10, 2025 · Release dates · Dec 03, 2019 - Windows, Mac · Dec 03, 2020 - PC (Steam) · Jan 26, 2021 - Stadia · Oct 01, 2021 - PlayStation 4, Xbox One · Dec 09, ...
[57]
Building Phoenix Point: Behemoth Edition for Consoles
Sep 27, 2021 · These tabs are accessed by controller triggers or with shoulder bumpers. All possible actions a player can take on a given screen or with a ...Missing: ports | Show results with:ports
[58]
Phoenix Point – Steam Stats – Video Game Insights - Sensor Tower
90-day returns327. active players (62 min ago) ; 327. active players (24h peak) ; 72.7%. positive reviews ; $4.6m. gross revenue ; 198k. units sold ...
[59]
https://www.gamesradar.com/stadia-shutting-down-explained/
[60]
Phoenix Point DLC Roadmap - Blood and Titanium, Legacy of the ...
Jan 3, 2020 · Phoenix Point DLC Roadmap · DLC 1: Blood and Titanium · DLC 2: Legacy of the Ancients · DLC 3: Festering Skies · DLC 4 · DLC 5 ...
[61]
DLC | Phoenix Point Wiki
Jul 13, 2021 · Phoenix Point DLC · Season Pass · DLC 1: Blood and Titanium · DLC 2: Legacy of the Ancients · DLC 3: Festering Skies · DLC 4: Corrupted Horizons.
[62]
Blood and Titanium - wiki.phoenixpoint.com
Aug 14, 2023 · Blood and Titanium is DLC 1. It adds one sub-faction The Pure, three story missions, three pieces of research and Bionics.
[63]
Phoenix Point - Corrupted Horizons DLC on Steam
Rating 3.0 (53) · 14-day returnsPhoenix Point contains depictions of science-fiction combat, including the use of guns, energy weapons, explosives, melee weapons, and other military-style ...
[64]
Phoenix Point - Kaos Engines DLC on Steam
In stock Rating 3.5 (33) The Kaos Engines DLC includes a new Kaos Buggy, vehicle customization, new Kaos Tech weapons, new missions, and a new marketplace.
[65]
Phoenix Point: Kaos Engines DLC Now Available on PC ...
Mar 1, 2022 · Our latest DLC, Kaos Engines, is now available on PC, PlayStation, Stadia and Xbox! In addition, the Azathoth content update is available for all owners as of ...Missing: list 2025
[66]
Patch notes: DLC 5 + 1.14 Azathoth - Phoenix Point
Mar 1, 2022 · Kaos Engines arrives with the free v.1.14 “Azathoth” content update, which includes new game balance changes, a change for Mutogs and a few bug fixes.
[67]
Phoenix Point - Steam Community
But even though official updates are ending, we hope to see Phoenix Point continue to rise thanks to mod support with our Steam Workshop integration, rolling ...
[68]
Phoenix Point: Complete Edition on Steam
4.8 3.1K · 14-day returnsTitle: Phoenix Point: Complete Edition Genre: RPG, Strategy, Simulation Developer: Snapshot Games Inc., Saber Minsk Publisher: Snapshot Games Inc.
[69]
Phoenix Point: Complete Edition - Official Launch Trailer - YouTube
Jul 21, 2022 · Phoenix Point: Complete Edition is available now on PC via Steam, GOG, the Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store, as well as on Google ...
[70]
Phoenix Point Reviews - Metacritic
Rating 74% (50) Great game. Plenty of interesting ideas, great tactical combat, beautiful graphic, good enemis-story-factions. Definitely right step forward for x-com type ...
[71]
Phoenix Point critic reviews - Metacritic
Phoenix Point PC Critic Reviews ; positive. 29 (60%) ; mixed. 19 (40%) ; negative. 0 (0%).
[72]
Phoenix Point Review - IGN
Rating 7/10 · Review by Dan StapletonDec 12, 2019 · Phoenix Point has a lot of interesting ideas to contribute to the revitalized turn-based tactics genre but many of them are in need refining and balancing.
[73]
Phoenix Point's final Complete Edition form still frustrates as much ...
Sep 8, 2022 · We return to Phoenix Point as it receives its final update and release of its Complete Edition, and find a game that's as refreshing as it ...<|separator|>
[74]
Phoenix Point Steam Charts - SteamDB
Rating 71% (6,598) Steam player count for Phoenix Point is currently 214 players live. Phoenix Point had an all-time peak of 4993 concurrent players on 6 December 2020.Missing: figures | Show results with:figures
[75]
Terror from the Void (TFTV) 1.0 - Steam Workshop
A complete reworking of the Phoenix Point campaign, with new characters, story, events and reports, and integrated and rationalised in-game lore.Missing: scene | Show results with:scene
[76]
Phoenix Point - Snapshot Games Forums
Phoenix Point ; Trophies not unlocking · Bug Discussion. 2, 263, July 16, 2025 ; Terror from the Void 1.0 has been released! Phoenix Point. 1, 929, June 19, 2025.
[77]
https://www.metacritic.com/game/phoenix-point/critic-reviews/
[78]
Snapshot Games
We founded Snapshot Games to bring innovation to the strategy genre, and we've branched out since. But we've never forgotten our roots.Services 3 · Contact Us · Our Team · News
[79]
Update October 8, 25 :: Phoenix Point General Game Discussions
Oct 7, 2025 · My game updated today. I couldn't find what the update was about. Does anyone know, please?