When comparing Age of Wonders III vs Xenonauts, the Slant community recommends Age of Wonders III for most people. In the question“What are the best games on Steam with turn-based combat?” Age of Wonders III is ranked 6th while Xenonauts is ranked 8th. The most important reason people chose Age of Wonders III is:
throughout the game players troops are leveling as long as they are being used. This adds to each's pool of abilities. There are also points one can earn in battle that can be used to unlock new abilities. Both of these systems add up to a competent way to always be leveling and give a feeling of advancement in the game.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Worthwhile leveling system
throughout the game players troops are leveling as long as they are being used. This adds to each's pool of abilities. There are also points one can earn in battle that can be used to unlock new abilities. Both of these systems add up to a competent way to always be leveling and give a feeling of advancement in the game.
Pro Intuitive tactical battles
The tactical battles in the game play out in a way that feels different depending on what enemies are being fought , which makes for a good way to differentiate play. The battles also play out in a fast fashion that is easy to understand making for an experience that feels well made due to how the player can pick up the play.
Pro Back to the roots: The original UFO: Enemy Unknown
This game goes back to the original roots the UFO: Enemy Unknown, as the whole X-com franchise should, and raised it to another level.
Without a doubt this is the best "X-com" type of game.
Pro Spiritual successor to original X-Com franchise
Xenonauts took its inspiration from the original X-Com game, giving fans a new game in similar style but expanded on the finer details of the game to give an even more deep experience. This should appeal to those familiar with X-Com as well as those looking for a fun yet deep strategy game.
Cons
Con Some areas are too easy
At certain points of the game decision need to be made, which would normally mean something is lost when choosing, but sadly things like buildings are too easy to build meaning there is no loss when choosing what to do, which makes the choices meaningless.
Con Can be difficult for newcomers of the genre
There is no in-game tutorial and there is only an online manual for the game, which means users who are not familiar with this game type and what is expected in play may have a difficult time learning all of the ins and outs. Online video tutorials may help as well, but of course this is all time spent not playing the game n order to learn its mechanics, which some people may not enjoy or have the time for.
Con Lack of additional animation and more original ideas
Seems like they copied all the mainstream ideas from original UFO: Enemy Unknown, and added up some of their own which do not reflect well, like mechanized enemy units, instead of implementing original Snakeman and Muton species.
Game also lack a possibility of taking back fallen continents with some kind of anti-infiltrator missions.