Xcom is a great game but too challenging/stressful/random for me to have the patience for.
If this is like Xcom but a touch easier, I'll be all in.
The Xcom comparisons only go so far, because MarioRabbids doesn't have the macro layer on top, with base management and leveling up squads that get wiped out anyway. I do agree it's easier than Xcom, but that doesn't really describe how/why.
First of all, there's no permadeath; Mario and Friends are just gonna faint, not get exploded. However, you don't usually get health refills in a chapter, so you have to try to maintain HP through a number of stages (usually like 3 or 4 in a chapter)
There's the same concept of moving around the grid between half and full cover, just like Xcom, but they add fun things like Rushing (it's like a physical tackle), Team Jumps, and Stomps.
In my time with the game, I'd say a lot of the puzzle has been in figuring out how to effectively use my turns to deal the most damage. There's optimal sequences to rushing/jumping/stomping/shooting that need to be planned out.
While Xcom infamously has crazy probabilities (you somehow miss on a 99% hit chance), this game rightfully 'dumbs' it down a little to 0/50/100% to make the hits more reliable, so you can focus on the sequence of events.
I'm on World 2, and though I've only gotten a couple of game overs, I have certainly faced some challenges that have taught me how to play better.
