The Firaxis XCOM Series

Because like it or not, America is a superpower since World War II (and USSR crashed and burned, or something to that effect), and thus actually most likely have resource to undertake such project? And I did see some mention about Japan actually developed Laser weapon for a just-in-case, so that might be a shout-out...

edited 11th Jan '12 7:51:11 AM by onyhow

Didn't in first game U.S.S.R. still existed when I think of it? Anyway, doesn't change my point.

1 word: Re-imagine...

Either way, doesn't change my point and my opinion. So let's discuss the bad news like 1) Four squad members in missions at least in beginning 2) No TU 3) Possibly classes/levels/skills if you dislike those, I don't really care.

^ Because you missed the point that this is not the original game?

Anyway, 4 squad member pre-upgrade, I don't like, but with the limit of 8 initially in UFO Alien Invasion, it's not too much...TU I don't mind much...it's a good system (since you can choose to sacrifice movement for more firing or vice versa, not the most Strategy RPG oldie of move-attack that if you don't want to do either action, you can't get extra action...), but cutting it out also reduce amount of calculation needed...

edited 11th Jan '12 8:09:42 AM by onyhow

I agree about first point if upgrading isn't that hard/maximum size isn't too small, but disagree about TU. This way combat would be just like every other Turn based strategy game

2k forums has more info, also info on TU cut...

One base only is another non awesome thing *loved multiple bases even when I didn't need them* Will be even force if you can't choose where to put it.

There's sub-base with interceptors, and you can buy satellites for use as radar, and you can improve it...at least it's not as bad as UFO Afterlight 1 base thing...and Aftershock technically has 1 base for soldiers, the ground bases are manufacturing/research...

And at least you can do move-move...let's hope you can do shoot-shoot too...although I would like to see simplified TU system like in Hunters: Episode One on iOS...

Also, it's weird there's no mention of 4-men squad in the 2k thread...I wonder if that's explicitly stated or just conjecture...

edited 11th Jan '12 8:41:56 AM by onyhow

No TUs and only one base are probably the biggest issues I have so far with what's been mentioned. I'll wait until more details are out and/or a demo is released before screaming "RUINED FOREVER!", but at this point I can't say I'm more than cautiously optimistic about this game.

^^You should note that I'm having UFO: Aftermath(first game right?) avatar currently which should imply that while I don't consider them to be successor of Xcom, I don't dislike UFO games or how they do things That being said, I still like multiple bases, just giving the upgrades that do some of most important features isn't same for me.

^^ Seems like TU economics got replaced by ammo action economics instead...not sure if it's the best or not but still looks interesting...

^ ...that was a Reticulan?

Yup I got avatar when I bought the game from gog and downloaded bonus stuff.

Cool...also, reading through Neo GAF and 2k make it seems like the info on 4 people on squad only might only be conjecture...

Copy and pasting. Dont know if true but sounds likely.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF XCOM'S CONTENT COMES IN THE FORM OF PROCEDURUALLY GENERATED MISSIONS AND ENCOUNTERS, MEANING THAT EVERY PLAYTHROUGH UNFOLDS DIFFERENTLY

-There's apparently a 'Heavy Armed Mobile Cover Platform that serves as a powerful rock on which to anchor any tactical advantage' and you can directly customize the heavy troops armor and weapons individually.

-randomly generated missions, terrain. Developer says you'll never play the exact same mission twice outside of a few story missions which feature in-game cinematics

-fog of war is confirmed. area starts off with darkness everywhere, and the average soldier can't see shit

-enemy spawns are randomized

-mobile platform called SHIV; customizable for new chasis

-Sectoids and Mutons confirmed

-The base's screenshot is accurate. It is now a side shot instead of top down. You can also upgrade your base, like the satellite, with alien technology

-There was an example in one scenario where Japan had the laser rifle already developed before the invasion because they felt threatened, so that seems random.

-You have 16 countries in the funding council you need to keep happy. Some provide more money, but others, like Africa, provide more raw resources

-The sniper units have a grappling hook ability to get on top of buildings

-Gunners have a suppressing fire

-you can equip your xcom guys with all kinds of different guns. customization looks like a big deal

-Apparently there's some sort of cinematic view when your guys get killed. They didn't cite VATS or anything, so I doubt it's too in depth

-Unexperienced agents can panic, freak out, etc if something bad happens

-Firaxis designer states that the PC version will have an enhanced interface. He cites Dragon Age: Origins on PC and console as a big inspiration

edited 11th Jan '12 9:48:30 AM by Thorn14

I only dabbled in the original XCOM (I don't think it's aged too well, but I really liked the core concepts behind it), but I'm looking forward to this.

Hopefully squad mortality rates will still be high.

XCOM ain't XCOM without half your rookies dying on a good mission.

^Uh, not with 4 squad members in beginning Also, they seem to be intend on making the game to be more "Accessible".

Dang it, game isn't THAT hard to learn D:<

Easy to learn, hard to master perhaps. Personally I think that xcom could do with a little more accessibility. Operative management was a right chore particularly, as was equipment assignment.

All I know is that the new XCOM by Firaxis will suck big time - because I have preconceived notions, am extremely opinionated, and have a massively inflated ego.

^Does that count as personal attack to certain people?

More like attack against general fanboyism IMO...

Still, its childish argument to counter childish whining.

And how do you think crazy fanboy respond to intelligent argument normally?

It doesn't mean that you should step down to their level.