Well, I really only have played a couple of hours. But it's definitely something completely different.
The micro control afforded over the units' actions is impressively done (though I guess that this is what makes the game, basically), and I can see needing a fair number of hours to get the hang of it. Even though the interface is efficient and simple enough.
I do, of course, suck. I haven't yet gotten the timing down and sometimes I'm sure that I'm going to take down one of the bad guys on the next turn, whatever else happens, but it somehow doesn't go down like that and it's one of my guys that ends up getting it in the guts. That and rocket blast radii... Though I like how the destructible walls have immediate tactical consequences.
And I'm surprised at how such an apparently slow paced game can manage to build suspense at the end of each turn: I find myself nervous after hitting the prime button and the round's outcome being calculated, because the game doesn't immediately show the results but rather waits for another hit of the play button before displaying how things played out. During this second between confirming my move, it being calculated, and then hitting the play button to actually see it unfold, I get this mixed feeling of expectation and dread. (well, dread may be slightly too strong a word lol)
Mind you, I've only yet played against the AI and experienced the offline mode because the servers don't currently appear to be in a cooperating mood. Still, it's all good because I usually like to get my bearings against the computer before getting my backside handed to me by forms of intelligence which can feel selfish satisfaction at my own utter destruction.
Fun game.
Edit: I just noticed a tab on the very first menu upon launching the game which affords the possibility of entering an alternate server's IP in case the main server is acting up. Pretty good. I wonder if there are any such servers... hmmm. Still, props for the option.
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