Turn-based tactics game Day of the Shell is XCOM with a smart, roguelike twist

Playing Day of the Shell, I'm struck with a desire to see more games like it. The new roguelike from indie developer Duper Games has all the grid-based, turn-based tactics of XCOM, but trades out the squad strategy for a single character. Tasking you with battling through a series of pretty island battlefields and overcoming vicious boss fights, it offers some real build variety that rewards you for carefully considering your play style, and might be one of the most stylish alternatives to XCOM since the mighty Mario and Rabbids.

Where Gears Tactics ramps up the aggression and Tactical Breach Wizards focuses on slick, puzzle-style encounters, Day of the Shell feels more like I'm playing Hades, but with the real-time action combat replaced with XCOM's grid and cover systems. Combining one of our best turn-based strategy games with the structure of the best roguelikes is certainly a recipe for success, and Duper is very smart about introducing you to its mechanics through a mix of intuitive level design and snappy, simple tutorial pop-ups.

At the start, you're equipped with just a revolver to hand (other weapon choices become available later), but that simplicity opens up a wide range of tactical choices with every decision. Moving or attacking counts as one turn, and most enemies will take an action for every three turns you take, which you can track by hovering over them. In classic XCOM style, hiding behind the environment will either provide 'half cover' or 'full cover,' with the latter protecting you completely from incoming danger.

Aiming at foes shows the percentage chance to hit and the damage you'll deal, and everything's presented cleanly and clearly so you have the information you need to hand in an instant. Day of the Shell really comes into its own once you start clearing encounters and earning upgrades, however, which follows the now-familiar 'pick one of three things' format that, honestly, I'll always cheer for.

The range of bonuses, powers, and relics you can earn include many dramatic, powerful effects. Some might be positional, such as the 'High Focus' power offering 30% more precision against enemies more than four tiles away. Others reward aggression; 'Gunglinger' increases your damage by one for each consecutive shot without moving, even if you miss. There's plenty of risk and reward, with options that provide bonuses if you target enemies right before they attack, or if you fight while out in the open and exposed to danger.

Make it through enough fights in a world, and you'll come up against a much harder boss encounter, putting your build to the test. Manage to overcome it, and you'll take your next step on your journey to the heart of the islands; fall, and you return home, where you can spend earned meta-currencies on upgrades to benefit your future attempts. Day of The Shell isn't as intricate as a full XCOM 2: War of the Chosen Run, and likely won't run you as long as unlocking every single conversation in Hades, but there's a lot to like here.

Day of the Shell is out now on Steam, with a 10% launch discount available through Tuesday August 12, so expect to pay $13.49 / £11.69 now, or $14.99 / £12.99 after the sale ends. Get it here if you're eager for something bright and breezy that will satisfy your need to shout about percentage chances to hit while we wait for XCOM 3.

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