Actually the new XCom is a better tactical game than the original one: better balanced and with more interesting tactical options. It's also a terrible strategy game if compared to the Microprose's masterpiece, but probably the two things are related
To me APs make sense only in games where granular control over your characters is a core gameplay element, like in Jagged Alliance or Silent Storm. Otherwise, a move/attack system is more often than not a smarter solution.
Regarding to the Comparison "XCOM new" and "XCOM old". The new one may be more balanced and mainlined but its also more boring and uninteresting than the older one. I don't see where are these "tactical options" are.
Currently i see D:OS more in the JA2 tradition (and hope more granularity will be added)
