I barely noticed this game existed but i was drawn into it because it claims to be a squad based tactical game with some roleplaying elements. Ive been into the roleplaying tactical games like fallout tactics. Is this game like tactics where i make my own character and lead a squad, or is it like the typical strategy games where i have to build and build and build?

You play an organization which has few soldiers: You play a team (from 4 to 16 soldiers, you choose), and build simple bases. The 3 games are good, but I prefer Aftershock as it keeps the RP elements without being too complex.

It's a good tactical game where you can level up your squad members, and outfit them with new weapons and armour that you research and find in the field. It's real-time with pause, not turn-based. I don't think it's as good as the older tactical games like X-Com and Jagged Alliance, but if you need a squad based tactical game fix, it's good for that.

You won't find a consensus on which UFO game is better, people will like one over the other. I think the atmosphere is the best in Aftermath, in later games it becomes very cartoony, but the combat is done slightly better in my opnion in later games.

P.S. If you want a good role playing squad based tactical game, take a look at Jagged Alliance 2 and it's expansion if you already haven't, it's one of the best(better than Fallout Tactics in my opinion).

Now that is a massive understatement. Jagged allliance 2 is THE best squad based tactical game bar none. If fallout tactics maintained your interest for more than 5 minutes then you must play JA2.

As for UFO, I only played Aftermath and enjoyed it a lot. It is very simplistic, and a little rough around the edges but otherwise quite fun to fight as your soldiers improve and you research new equipment.

Another good game which I hope GOG releases is Silent Storm. A fantastic turn based game.

My only gripe with Aftermath is that you have no input over when you get new recruits. I've found that tactical game-play in it to be superior to aftershock with corner leading, non-useless grenades and launchers, and a wide variety of useful armors. In comparison, aftershock feels almost MORE like a RPG than tactical game than it's predecessor. (I haven't gotten to afterlight yet.)

I will admit that the crashed UFOs are better, but grenades and launchers suck so hard for how difficult they are to use effectively that honestly I wouldn't call it balanced. I can't count the number of times one of my soldiers has "missed" throwing a phos grenade off a roof and killed half of his squad with it.

Yes, it's a bad feature or maybe bug. I try to only use a 'nade with a Very Good Thrower, and launch the grenade the farther, in order when there is a 'miss' which launch it at half distance then it does not harm my squad.
The time we learn the game, we have to reload many saves...

If you like tactical combat with some RPG elements, then go ahead and play this game. If you like stories where you save the world from aliens and uncover why they attacked in the first place, then play this game.

It's pretty good.