UFO: Afterlight

About

UFO: Afterlight is a tactical strategy-RPG set on Mars, where a human colony struggles to survive amid alien threats. You manage resources, lead squads in real-time combat with pause, and explore a desolate planet while uncovering secrets of an ancient alien race. The game emphasizes base-building, research, and adapting to harsh environments as you balance defense, exploration, and diplomacy with distant Earth factions. Combat mixes precise positioning and quick decisions against a mix of familiar and new foes. The game’s focus on Martian survival and alien archaeology sets it apart from its X-COM-inspired predecessors. Players encounter Myrmecols, mysterious intergalactic entities, and piece together lore through environmental clues and faction interactions. While its 2006 release date means graphics feel dated, the tight mechanics and layered storytelling earned it a dedicated following. The Mars setting adds a fresh twist to the series’ formula, blending resource scarcity with cosmic horror.

Storyline

The story is situated on Mars. It starts where UFO: Aftermath left off and runs simultaneously with UFO: Aftershock. While the Laputans on Earth are fighting Wargots and Starghosts and finding out what caused the destruction of their home planet, a small colony on Mars is trying to survive and flourish. The player will gain more details about the activities of intergalactic organisms, called Myrmecols, in the solar system. The scientific research and communication with different factions on the Earth gives him a different perspective on the events of the two previous sequels. In UFO: Afterlight, the players will meet with brand new technologies, unusual environment and enemies both old and unknown.