UFO Online: Invasion Review

Bad Pixel’s UFO: Online is nothing if not unique. From the innovative RTS inspired combat, to the rich and rewarding skill progression system, and everything in between, UFO: Online strives to deliver a memorable and impactful open world Sandbox MMORPG to any player who steps foot within its’ bounds.

The world of UFO: Online is completely open. This means that there are no loading screens, no invisible barriers, and no ambiguous train tracks to nudge you towards where you may want to head next. Rather, UFO: Online gives its players the opportunity to do and to and become whatever and whoever they want. With over 100 skills to choose from, it would be rare to find a character who is built exactly like your own. Because of this depth of character customization, there is a vast swath of available “roles” for one person to be able to fill – be it as a front line fighter, a stealthy assassin, a doctor specializing in protection and prevention, or something in between – entirely devised by you, the player.

In this open world there are dangers around every corner. To protect yourself, you might want to make a couple of friends. Thankfully UFO: Online features a robust clan system, complete with territory to control for groups to compete over, a ranking system in order to delineate clan merit, and a flourishing player driven economy at the center of which is clan warfare.

Thankfully, for those of us who do not prefer to get our own hands dirty in a PvP environment, UFO: Online as options. Perhaps you’re into gathering goods for later sale? No problem, UFO: Online has you covered. Oh, you want to be a crafter, forging the finest wares for your clan mates, or the highest bidder? You got it! There is even a solo campaign mode available, for anyone who would like to experience UFO: Online in a more intimate fashion.

Unfortunately, one of the glaring issues with UFO: Online is its origin. Due to the fact that this game was published in Russia years prior to its release in the United States, there is a simultaneous lack of information available to non-Russian speakers, as well as an immense amount of highly skilled, generally indifferent, and most of all experienced subset of players who have been around since launch. Because of this information and skill gap generated by Bad Pixels’ lack of regional servers, it can be a true challenge to get into this game for the first time, especially if you’re setting out alone. That being said, if you can brave the challenge and come out on the other side, a fantastic game awaits you – one I’m sure, you will not soon forget.