If you are a fan of mid-century sci-fi aesthetics and tactical combat, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified is a hidden gem that deserves a look, despite its technical quirks.
The standout feature here is the incredible 1960s atmosphere. The developers nailed the "Cold War meets Alien Invasion" vibe.

• The HQ: Walking through the base is a treat. It feels lived-in and authentic, packed with period-accurate tech like clunky old computers and typewriters.
  
• Visuals & Sound: The character animations are smooth, and the graphics still hold up well. This is complemented by excellent spatial audio and solid voice acting that really pulls you into the world.
  
• Narrative: The world-building is top-notch. Even the side missions feel purposeful and unique rather than repetitive filler.

The tactical fights are gripping and intense. While the controls can feel a bit clunky at times, the payoff of a well-executed maneuver in the field is highly satisfying. It captures that signature XCOM tension from a fresh, third-person perspective.

• Technical Quirks: The PhysX implementation is dated and can cause significant FPS drops in certain scenes (like near Elerium reactors).
  
• Audio bug: You might encounter a rare audio glitch where some audio channels are missing after reloading a checkpoint (happened only once to me)
  
• Plot holes: There are some narrative inconsistencies, like saved agents being mentioned as deceased.
  
• Character Arc: The protagonist’s personality takes some sharp turns that might rub you the wrong way.

Despite some technical flaws, the strong story, beautiful world-building, and immersive setting make this a journey worth taking.

Feels like Mass Effect but without the depth.

Had this game for years, played a bit on the computer but never finished it. Decided to go for it again on the Steam Deck to clear some backlog. I'm a X-COM fan and this game seems quite good for now. Nice shooting game, a bit of strategic moves that works as a bridge to the original style of X-COM. Good Game.