XCOM Enemy Within vs Phantom Doctrine vs Invisible Inc...

What do you think is the best or most worth playing?

Or if in your opinion there's a another (or better) game that should be considered, let me know!

Phoenix Point is the best

Found XCOM to be much more satisfying than Phantom Doctrine. Haven't played Invisible Inc.

If you do go for XCOM, opt for Enemy Within instead of Enemy Unknown when playing. It adds to the game considerably. XCOM is much more fun in a pulpy sort of way, and the complexity makes sense.

In Phantom Doctrine, the complexity therein is messy, and it feels like they just took XCOM and added a new coat of paint (some stuff doesn't make sense). Also, there were points I didn't know what I was doing, but it seemed to work. Also, having to move in turn-based mode to extraction is excruciatingly annoying, as it just wastes your time for no reason (mainly when there are no threats and you just have to move all your units one by one, step by step to the extraction point).

Invisible Inc is turn based stealth, from what I've seen, but doesn't follow XCOM rules. I may be very wrong, but it doesn't seem like it has anything to do with the other 2 games you mentioned.

Have you tried Xenonauts? It follows more in the footsteps of the original X-Com. I think I prefer it over the ones you listed.

By far the best game of this type is none of the ones listed in the OP, but rather it is: Xcom 2: War of the Chosen (not just plain Xcom 2 though, as that is much worse than the War of the Chosen version).

Found Invisible Inc to be an excercise in frustration - RNG always set against you and powerless to do anything about it. This was some time ago so may have changed.

XCOM EW was a great ride.
Phantom Doctrine too (though a little more interesting in some ways due to the special mechanics.

My advice: pick from the latter two.

Massive Chalice is probably the one I liked the most. I'm not arguing it's really the best, but it's probably the one I had the most fun with. The fantasy setting, preparing new generations of heroes... and yeah, it's also just easier than XCom. I prefer to have fun than frustration and being fucked over by RNG.

That looks interesting, especially the setting.

For me XCOM Enemy Within was much better then Phantom Doctrine. And XCOM 2 was more interesting then Enemy Within.

It must've changed a lot since release.

Definitely recommend XCOM Enemy Within first and foremost of those three. I did enjoy Phantom Doctrine though it felt like a lot of stealthing a lot of the time and became a bit too repetitive after a while. While I did have fun with Phoenix Point I felt the more I got to know about the game the less I liked it, but this was before the DLC's were out so maybe it's better now.

Invisible inc doesn't feel like the same type of game. More of a puzzler. Good for what it is but relatively short and more ... rogue-like?

Obviously I'm interested in all, but...

... I've always been somewhat ambivalent to XCOM due to tone. It feels too "comicbook" to take seriously, yet not "comicbook" enough (a la Mars Attacks) to laugh along with (although I loved -- I know heresy -- The Bureau XCOM Declassified. But then I also loved Resistance 3).

Phantom Doctrine I'm interested in due to the last Cold War setting and seemingly staying squarely in the real world.

Invisible Inc I had no idea about... but people kept saying it was good. It would have to be good for me to get beyond the art design (don't get me wrong, the design is fine... just a stretch for me personally in these types of games). Thanks for your thoughts.

No, I haven't... but have heard its name mentioned. Will take a look. Solasta... high on my list of RPGs to pick up! Thanks. Yeah, just not sure I could get beyond al of the "campy" elements. But I do hear it's gameplay is great Many thanks Thanks for your thoughts.
Thanks Will check it out... but seems a bit too sci-fantasy for me upon just a quick look at the trailer. But that's a bit of my issue with XCOM as well.

Enemy Within is really good. I also recommend the original X-COM games, UFO Defence and Terror from the Deep.

If you want to fully go into that comic book camp direction, what about Attack of the Earthlings or I Am Not A Monster: First Contact? I haven't played them myself though, so no idea if they're any good.

Wow, had never heard of either of these! That's Double Fine right? Will take a look.
XCOM certainly does have a number of fans. ;)

I watched some gameplay footage and you're spot on, it looks far better than XCOM: Enemy Within, with more options for leveling up soldiers.