XCOM: Enemy Unknown - Strategy Game - Developed by Firaxis

Lothar wrote:

I am really tempted to pick this up for 360 since I know I will own it eventually for PC, is anyone else picking it up on 360?

This question but for PS3?

I finally listened to the Three Moves Ahead episode of XCOM and enjoyed the depth they spoke about things. In particular, the aspects involving open ground and cover. Makes me wonder how things would change in game if there was deploy-able cover beyond the SHIV-G. I also wish Dr. Bruce had given Jake the chance to respond to his criticism of the UI.

I'm getting it for 360. not at launch because I can't afford it right away but I do intend to get it.

Pre-ordered tonight for the 360.

I've been thinking about that demo, sort of letting it sink in, and I'm kind of mixed on the mechanics. Micromanaging turn units was cool in 1994, but twenty years later, I think most of us have better things to do. But, at the same time, we've lost directionality of characters. There doesn't seem to be directional spotting; it appears you just see all around you, anything in line of sight. Characters don't seem to have a facing anymore. The shoot mechanics seem to only consider what square a target is in, and whether any of the squares in between offer cover (or block fire altogether.) And armor doesn't seem to have 'faces' anymore, either, so your front armor isn't tougher than your back armor.

So, yes, that's right: X-Com has lost all sense of direction.

I don't mind losing TUs, and I guess with the lower number of soldiers, they probably couldn't have them have real facings, but I dunno. I think it's still going to be a good game, but I don't see how these mechanics are going to allow the miraculous saves and the careful positioning that was required in the first X-Com. At least on the surface, it appears to be a far less cerebral game than the original, and I don't see that as being an improvement.

I suggest listening to the Three Moves Ahead podcast, where the dev talks about the changes they made from the original. Personally, I never could get very far in the original X-Com, although I tried many times. (side note: anyone remember getting a free copy of the game on a magazine CD?) I'm getting more and more interested in this new version. Two weeks ago, Dishonored was a lock for my October 9th gaming money, but now I'm not so sure.

Lothar wrote:

I am really tempted to pick this up for 360 since I know I will own it eventually for PC, is anyone else picking it up on 360?

I've been interested in this game, but wasn't sure when I would pick it up. Still have a lot of Borderlands 2 to play, plus I was more interested in Dishonored. Played the demo and liked it. I've heard it plays well with a controller and the $15 pre-order credit from Amazon pushed me over the edge.

The Verge has an interesting piece on the art style. http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/...

Lothar wrote:

I am really tempted to pick this up for 360 since I know I will own it eventually for PC, is anyone else picking it up on 360?

360 is my only choice. Thus my fustration (and wariness) at no demo yet. Tkyl has seen this, but has passed it by with no comment. So I grow more worrisome at the level of support for consoles with with this game.

Yew, it's a bit annoying but it's also prudent on his part. He's trying to balance being a member of the forum and an employee.

Aristophan wrote:

(side note: anyone remember getting a free copy of the game on a magazine CD?)

YES! PC Gamer magazine did a retro perspective of some old game and a disc full of free old games. That's how I got into Xcom. One of the best issues ever. They did this twice.

Donan wrote:
Lothar wrote:

I am really tempted to pick this up for 360 since I know I will own it eventually for PC, is anyone else picking it up on 360?

360 is my only choice. Thus my fustration (and wariness) at no demo yet. Tkyl has seen this, but has passed it by with no comment. So I grow more worrisome at the level of support for consoles with with this game.

Sorry, Donan. But it's like 1Dgaf said, as much as I'd like to tell you guys everything I know about the game, I'm not allowed to. All I'm really allowed to do is direct you guys to quotes that have already been released by Firaxis and 2K to answer any questions you have. And currently, all that has been said about console demos is that there will be a demo. They haven't announced when it will be coming out.

Donan wrote:

I was just a bit concerned that this is an indication that the console folks will be getting less 'love' from the team then PC. Or that there has been difficulties with the console demo: having to 'not' worry about cpu speed, ram requirements, video card req's etc.:) Maybe I'm just be too nervous 'cause I've been waiting for an upgrade to this classic title for soooo long, I'm being too paranoid on it's translation to a console.

I'm tempted to 360 it but I've been burned too many times. I'm looking at you, Left 4 Dead series. I'm sure Firaxis will be awesome, but Microsoft delays patches, won't allow any kind of custom content, will charge 250 or 500 MS points for content that's free for PC, etc. I normally would stick to 360 on something like this but on XCOM specifically I await a modification to, for instance, control my camera however I want and not be stuck looking from diagonal angles.

Ha! According to Fedex, also arriving on October 9 is my copy of another way to only have a remote chance of surviving alien encounters. Unlike XCOM, this arrival is played in person, in realtime, and with four or five players--the new reprint of Space Alert and its expansion.

Space Alert on BGG

Edwin wrote:

The Verge has an interesting piece on the art style. http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/...

[JK]Man, whoever worked on the graphics engine for this game really slacked off :)[/jk]

TempestBlayze wrote:
Edwin wrote:

The Verge has an interesting piece on the art style. http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/...

[JK]Man, whoever worked on the graphics engine for this game really slacked off :)[/jk]

I hear those guys don't know what the hell they are doing.

Tkyl wrote:
Donan wrote:
Lothar wrote:

I am really tempted to pick this up for 360 since I know I will own it eventually for PC, is anyone else picking it up on 360?

360 is my only choice. Thus my fustration (and wariness) at no demo yet. Tkyl has seen this, but has passed it by with no comment. So I grow more worrisome at the level of support for consoles with with this game.

Sorry, Donan. But it's like 1Dgaf said, as much as I'd like to tell you guys everything I know about the game, I'm not allowed to. All I'm really allowed to do is direct you guys to quotes that have already been released by Firaxis and 2K to answer any questions you have. And currently, all that has been said about console demos is that there will be a demo. They haven't announced when it will be coming out.

Ok. That's good enough for me. Thx.

1Dgaf wrote:

Yew, it's a bit annoying but it's also prudent on his part. He's trying to balance being a member of the forum and an employee.

You hit it on the head. He finally said pretty much the same thing and having a response was what I needed. I'm still a bit disturbed they said 'soon' at the time they released the PC demo. But I'll get over it. Just a eager, yet fustrated console user who wants a sample like the PC folks.

It's interesting to see a major game release where the console users are the ones feeling the short shrift. Usually it's the other way around for PC gamers, with delayed releases, poor PC versions, and missing demos.

I wish so hard that I could have this game one day early. I have Monday off, and the fiance doesn't. That'd be prime gaming time!

I don't know why people are worried. I didn't try it with a controller but people in this thread said it works great. I would imagine that would really be the only issue.

EvilDead wrote:

I don't know why people are worried. I didn't try it with a controller but people in this thread said it works great. I would imagine that would really be the only issue.

My metric for 360 vs. PC is generally, "Is there an interface where I want/need a keyboard and/or Mumble, or is there a modding community I really need to be able to access to derive maximum enjoyment from the game?" If not, I go with the 360 version; lower texture resolution is a trade-off I'm OK with, when I'm sitting across the room and looking at a larger image on a flatscreen.

Frankly I think the possibility of mods makes this a PC only purchase. Odds are that Firaxis is going to do this one right and this game will have a good following. Thus I would expect to see lots of really cool mods come out to really expand the game.

The only bad thing is I am out of vacation time, otherwise I would be off all next week.

Game Informer review

First review is up.

Yeah, it's Game Informer, but hey it's something to read while waiting for launch.

EDIT:

Also a note on console anxiety:

Game Informer wrote:

The Edge
The PC version is slightly superior thanks to improved textures and resolution and drastically lower load times, but those are minor differences. XCOM plays equally well with mouse/keyboard and gamepad, and features identical content across all three platforms, so grab it for whichever system you prefer.

Aaron D. wrote:

Game Informer review

First review is up.

Yeah, it's Game Informer, but hey it's something to read while waiting for launch.

EDIT:

Also a note on console anxiety:

Game Informer wrote:

The Edge
The PC version is slightly superior thanks to improved textures and resolution and drastically lower load times, but those are minor differences. XCOM plays equally well with mouse/keyboard and gamepad, and features identical content across all three platforms, so grab it for whichever system you prefer.

I intend to play on my PC, in front of the TV, with a controller. Does that make me bi?

As far as game informer goes I really like their Replays and Test Chamber spots. The par where they write things, eh not so much.

imbiginjapan wrote:

As far as game informer goes I really like their Replays and Test Chamber spots. The par where they write things, eh not so much.

You wish is my command.

Looks like it's preloadable on Steam now.

FWIW an Xcom nut I know played both versions at the Eurogamer expo and was happy with the 360 version as well as the PC. We'll discuss it on the show I'm surre, but I think we're going to try to go deep on it before we do. Him for comparisons to the original, me for the squad tactic aspects.

Are you to chain-mind meld? I wondered what would happen if a line of aliens and victims had the lead person take out.

1Dgaf wrote:

FWIW an Xcom nut I know played both versions at the Eurogamer expo and was happy with the 360 version as well as the PC. We'll discuss it on the show I'm surre, but I think we're going to try to go deep on it before we do. Him for comparisons to the original, me for the squad tactic aspects.

Are you to chain-mind meld? I wondered what would happen if a line of aliens and victims had the lead person take out.

Look forward to this with interests. (although hopefully I will have the full game by then. I was crushed Gamestop wasn't going to have a midnight extravaganza;)

Aaron D. wrote:

Game Informer review

First review is up.

Yeah, it's Game Informer, but hey it's something to read while waiting for launch.

EDIT:

Also a note on console anxiety:

Game Informer wrote:

The Edge
The PC version is slightly superior thanks to improved textures and resolution and drastically lower load times, but those are minor differences. XCOM plays equally well with mouse/keyboard and gamepad, and features identical content across all three platforms, so grab it for whichever system you prefer.

Thank you Aaron D. My 360 fears are now buried and I'm in full, 'gimmie, gimmie, gimmie' mode:))

I will be playing this on my PC but probably from my couch with a wireless 360 controller. I <3 the 50 foot HDMI cable I ordered a while back.