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App
This game requires an iPhone 5, iPad 4, iPad Mini 2, iPod Touch 6 or better. Command your ultimate...

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Welcome to one of the best CCG games on mobile! Drakenlords is a multiplayer fantasy card game where...

Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville
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App
It's been a few years since the zombpocalypse turned the world's cities into graveyards and sent the...

Refugee Economies: Forced Displacement and Development
Alexander Betts, Josiah Kaplan, Louise Bloom and Naohiko Omata
Book
Refugees have rarely been studied by economists. Despite some pioneering research on the economic...

Great Big War Game
Games and Entertainment
App
▶ GAME OF THE YEAR, WINNER !! (Mobile category, Game Dynamo 2012) ▶ STRATEGY GAME OF THE YEAR,...

Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated the Xbox One version of XCOM 2 in Video Games
Jun 19, 2019
The success of the game spawned XCOM 2 were once again players must take command of the team of soldiers fighting against an alien incursion.
This timeout players need to command a resistance unit and as before, delegate valuable resources to areas such as combat research, weapons research, scientific research, base expansion, equipment, and much more.
From there base players are free to upgrade the facilities, research new technologies, select which missions to take, and which soldiers and equipment to use. The level of detail is so high that players can even promote their troops, and mourn fallen comrades at the base Memorial.
Typically a player quips their vehicle and assigns squad of soldiers to a combat area where they can use their relegated turn units to move, take cover, assume support position, attack, reload, and so much more. When a turn is complete, players must watch while the enemy takes their turn and he can be a little frustrating to have your poor helpless Squaddie cut down in their prime by enemy you did not notice.
The enemies are extremely advanced, well-armed, incapable of Psionic powers such as being able to mind control your troops and even raise the dead which can be very frustrating is nothing is more demoralizing than cutting down an elite enemy unit only to see them resurrected back in the game.
As with the best elements of the series you’re constantly in an arms race to research new technology and weaponry to keep up with the enemy and just when you think you have turned the corner. The enemy will roll out new units and weaponry to once again put you at a disadvantage. Combine this with the fact that resources and funding are always paramount to your success, players must always maintain good relationships with there’s financial supporters as a lack of funds is more deadly than any combination of alien assaults.
The game is graphically impressive and highly diverse as there are multiple styles of play that can be employed which gives the game an unparalleled level of strategy. It should also be noted that the game is exceedingly difficult at times and I spoke to one player who said that he nearly deleted the game several times while playing it in frustration but was glad he stuck it out because the final confrontation was absolutely epic.
There is a multiplayer mode for the game that allows players to assemble a trained team of units and take on various challenges and while entertaining, I must admit that I spent the majority of my time playing the campaign mode but look forward to playing this more in the future.
XCOM 2 is a very worthy sequel that in many ways surpasses the original in terms of a deeper and more intense story and gaming experience that really draws you in. One can almost feel the horror at seeing the latest alien terror up close and watching your squad members could cut down as you desperately attempt to achieve the mission objective. Whether you want a dose of nostalgia or a solid challenge, I highly recommend XCOM 2 as it is not only a first rate game, it is one of the best games of the year and likely will be the recipient of several awards in the not too distant future.
http://sknr.net/2016/02/29/xcom-2/

The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Blood Bowl (Third Edition) in Tabletop Games
Mar 28, 2018

A War of Whispers
Tabletop Game
A War of Whispers is a competitive board game for 2 to 4 players. Five mighty empires are at war for...

An Introduction to Community Development
Rhonda Phillips and Robert H. Pittman
Book
Beginning with the foundations of community development, An Introduction to Community Development...