XCOM: Enemy Unknown

[RedNightmare]

I looked around the forum but could only find a discussion on the FPS, but not the Turned Based Strategy.

So who else is excited about his game? Right now I'm looking at every bit of gameplay footage I can get and find it increasingly hard to have to wait 2 more weeks.
I haven't been this excited for a game in years (12 & 13 october are completely filled by XCOM in my schedule) and I never even played the original.

[Geoff_B]

I am looking forward to playing this. I may not be able to though due to my laptop deciding to crash the nVidia driver every few minutes.

[Genghis Ares]

I think there's a Demo out. I should pull it down and see how it is. I like strategy turn-based games like this.

[empath]

Is this still turn-based strategy, tho? Wasn't there some talk about the new devs messing with the 'old archaic' formula (that damn well worked, mate)

...this means *I* should dig around for that demo, too.

Okay, after reading the blurb on the Steam-store page, my concerns are quelled - it's still TBS, but in a much more showy, action-filled manner; kinda like this is to the original UFO: Enemy Unknown as Battle Chess is to the original board game.


POST DEMO-PLAY ADDENDUM: Heck, it's FIRAXIS, now I'm completely content - the character styling in the new game reminds me of their Pirates! remake - keep the original spirit and update it with the techniques and developments that we've come up with since.



...although, this does make me wonder what the equivalent to "dancing with the governor's daughter" will be.

[RedNightmare]

And the Strategic layer isn't even in the demo, so it will get even better

[Geoff_B]

...although, this does make me wonder what the equivalent to "dancing with the governor's daughter" will be.

So you haven't seen the new Sectoid/Chrysallis DLC costume packs yet?

[zfubarz]

Soooo, it's out and pretty awesome, be aware autosaves aren't on by default though, I lost some good men to a windows restart

[Metcarfre]

I just read Russ Pitts' review, I'll be tempted to get this.

[Jamfalcon]

I tried the demo and thought it was quite good. I'll probably get it once it gets a good Steam sale.

Out of curiosity, to those who have played them, how do the old ones hold up? Are they still playable to someone new to the series, or will they feel really out of date and clunky?

[empath]

@Jamf - Yes and yes.

To be honest, I still have TFTD installed on this computer and set up through my DOSbox front-end; it's Nintendo Hard™, and a lot of the game mechanics (including some elements of the interface/controls) feel rather esoteric, but I'm willing to deal with that. YMMV

At the moment, though, I'm playing an open-source remake: UFO: Alien Invasion; it's more 'contemporary' in feel and function, but I STILL champ at the bit between my teeth for that Firaxis game - it was simplified and aspects changed from the original, but EVERYTHING FOR THE BETTER.

...either I need to win the lottery so the idea of spending full retail price on a AAA game isn't so prohibitive to me, or this NEEDS a really good Steam sale SOOOOOON.

[zfubarz]

next steam sale will probably be halloween or american thanksgiving still too soon, maybe you'll get 10-15% off.

It's definitely a great game though, I think I've put in like 7 hours in 2 days so far.

[aeric90]

X-Com currently sits on my living room table, taunting me as it acts as motivation to finish cleaning my appartment. Damn you resolve.

[BlitzRunner27]

Got it yesterday. This is probably one of the best strategy games I've ever played. Seriously, holy crap.

[zfubarz]

Moment of silence for dick lambert, first day on the job and he got gunned down. dumb rookies always panic when they get flanked.

[empath]

His name will be added to the memorial and his memory - and his sacrifice - will be remembered...

[RedNightmare]

Just finished it on Normal Ironman. Can't wait to start on Classic Ironman without tutorial.
I have some criticism, but I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll talk about it later. Still my favorite game of the year though

[Jopoho]

I want this game pretty desperately, but I don't know if I have the time to play it. I mean, I have time to play the campaign, but I would spend to long on the customization aspect.

[Geoff_B]

Do the old laws of XCOM still apply? Like these:

1. If a soldier can miss it will.
2. If an alien can miss it won't.
3. If you name a soldier after yourself/someone you love it will be the first to die
4. If you name a soldier after someone you hate it will become your best soldier.
5. Your nice shiny new base you've just invested all your money in will always be the first to come under attack

[RedNightmare]

Aside from the last one (only one base, so no base attacks) they should all be possible. Had the first two happen to me several times, but 3 and 4 didn't come up (I was playing on normal, so that might factor into it).

EDIT: 1 is also confirmed. A 97% point-blank shotgun shot missed. guy got killed by the alien next turn. Serves him right, the lousy shot.

[Jopoho]

So, I've never had the chance to pick up and play the original, but I finally have an idea of what is meant by the phrase: "That's XCOM."

It would be unfair to say that I lost my assault unit solely because it missed a point-blank shot on a chrysalid. It would, however be fair to say that missing that shot let the chrysalid kill another assault unit, who became a zombie and killed the unit that missed the initial shot.

[Genghis Ares]

I've been desperately trying to keep every one of my soldiers alive. I named them all after friends of mine as well, which helps with that. I don't care if I have to a section of a mission a dozen times, nobody's gonna die.

Never played the original XCOM, but I played Fallout and Jagged Alliance 2 all the time, so it's right up my alley. Plus Firaxis is just a great developer. I wish they'd make Pirates 2 or something.

[Jamfalcon]

I wish they'd make Pirates 2 or something.

I loved Pirates (the 2004 remake). While it isn't nautical, the game I've found that captures that feeling the best is the Mount & Blade series. I highly recommend giving the demo a try if you haven't.

But I do agree, Pirates 2 could be a lot of fun.

[Genghis Ares]

I thought Mount & Blade was more like Total War or something.

[empath]

Not really.

It's more a cross between Pirates and a 'First-Person-Slasher'. And a WHOLE BASKET of fun.

[Geoff_B]

I booted up the original game last night. It still holds up quite well (if you can tolerate the 1990s graphics). I actually managed to get through the first UFO crash without losing any troops! Maybe something to do with the fact that a Sectoid had been to the Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy and couldn't hit any of my soldiers despite the fact they were all up in his face.

Still waiting for new hardware so I can play the update.