All of this stuff I'm reading/watching about XCOM 2 makes it seem like at least one of the main design objectives was "but what if you could play as the aliens?"
When this game was announced I was all "pic exclusive!? Niooooooooo" but last week I built myself a new PC so I'm back on the xcom hype train
I never felt EW was worth it. Was I wrong about that? Is it different enough to play or should I just keep my hype in reserve and go to town on xcom 2?
Enemy Within is great. Exalt is fun to fight, modifying troops is pretty cool, and chopping up a guy to drop him into a MEC suit is amazing.
chopping up a guy to drop him into a MEC suit is amazing.
You get a tiny cut-scene after you train the first MEC trooper, and when I saw it, I thought "Holy shit, this guy is already a complete bad-ass" and also "Holy shit, I have completely destroyed this soldier's life as a human being".
It bothers me that they still use the rank structure to include colonels and the likes..... last time I saw a colonel getting dirty was at a mess dinner trying to scoop up his dinner plate up after drunkly knocking it over.
Started playing EW again and man am I not ready.
In theory, colonels can still take part in the field hence its inclusion in the soldier rank structure.
In practice, it always feels weird having a squad filled with what normally would be commissioned officer ranks after a while. But given the much smaller number of troops you tend to have, the old X-Com system may not have worked.
I have to disagree with that. Possibly in the past but current trends would not allow a colonel to willing participate in front line combat. They are much more difficult to replace than say a Sgt.
Colonels are planners/strategy dudes with computers and orders to write. Captain would be the highest commissioned office to participate in combat and even then they are really just managing the battlefield.
I think of it like a pyramid the higher portion is general, bottom privates. Closer to the bottom is where the action happens. Top is where the strategy happens.
They should have taken the real world equivalent to how Special forces operate...but it's not a big deal and in the end when colonel so and so dies there is a replacement just behind him. As well its not like this is a real military group this time around, rag tag rebels trying to take back their world. They can call themselves what ever they want as long as they can shoot lol.
I just want to play dress up and watch my friends get killed.
I've had that thought as well at times given how XCOM basically is a special forces group towards the end but then I remember how truly awful rookies are. The dichotomy of your redshirt new recruits and superhuman veterans not to mention the way you switch around squad members at will defies any easy comparison to military structure.
chopping up a guy to drop him into a MEC suit is amazing.
You get a tiny cut-scene after you train the first MEC trooper, and when I saw it, I thought "Holy shit, this guy is already a complete bad-ass" and also "Holy shit, I have completely destroyed this soldier's life as a human being".
And the first time you have them literally punch a Muton through a wall, you go "...and it was totally worth it."
All of this stuff I'm reading/watching about XCOM 2 makes it seem like at least one of the main design objectives was "but what if you could play as the aliens?"
And I am so excited about it.
Jake Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer, has stated explicitly that it was one of their goals. They did it with humanity instead of the aliens because it would have been far more difficult for people to connect with their alien troops.
For business reasons, I must preserve the outward sign of sanity.
--Mark Twain
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DuriniaEvolved from Space PotatoesRegistered Userregular
So, I've been playing through EW to, you know, try and actually finish it before xcom 2 comes out. and all I got to say is
HOLY HELL THAT BASE INVASION MISSION IS RIDICULOUSLY HARD!
I saved/reloaded so much on that mission, and still lost 2 vets (a corporal and a major). The only thing that saved my butt was that I just got plasma rifles researched so I had a few of them floating around.
Yeah, I remember having an inkling that was coming and was both excited and filled with some trepidation.
Then it happened and I think my first accessible characters were my best archangel equipped snipers, which utterly trivialized the mission.
I was totally unprepared, research-wise, which was part of the save/reload cycle was because I there were certain shots I had to make otherwise, I'd just be slaughtered.
I had 2 max rank characters, thankfully one is a sniper, who I got at the beginning of the mission, but I still have the default sniper rifles (currently researching plasma weapons), so she kept running out of ammo quickly. Much of my strategy was to essentially defend her while she picked aliens off. I do have two mech units, one of which was available early on. She did punch aliens quite a bit.
My spawns were kinda nasty, 3 disks, 2 mechtoids, 3 mutons&1 berzerker, 4 commanders, iirc.
Needless to say, I'm ramping up my research quite a bit. Just got enough money to put in my second lab. The "priority research" right now is the device I got from invading the underground alien base. I've been thinking of leaving that be for a bit while my I catch up on other tech stuff. Good idea? I dunno.
I'm also kinda regretting putting on the randomized upgrades setting. I thought I'd be kinda fun and add some variety to my soldiers, but it has put some serious gaps in my units. No holo-targeting is one I do miss a lot. I also have a preponderance of snipers and support. I literally have 1 assault on my entire squad, and my highest ranked heavy just got killed in the base defense. Though, I don't miss him all that much, his aim was terrible, and his only upgrade that I really liked was bullet storm, which he needed because he missed all the effing time!
chrono_traveller on
The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it. ~ Terry Pratchett
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Zxerolfor the smaller pieces, my shovel wouldn't doso i took off my boot and used my shoeRegistered Userregular
edited January 2016
oh man i so need this game like yesterday
aliens will now retreat to pull other pods on the map back to the fight fuuuu
After seeing totalbiscuits video I need this like yesterday. I'm debating starting off at Impossible this time around just to get thrashed and loving it.
+1
scherbchenAsgard (it is dead)Registered Userregular
getting a major aliens from Signs vibe from the new sectoids.
I love that.
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Dr. ChaosPost nuclear nuisanceRegistered Userregular
edited January 2016
Started playing EW again last night and within the first two missions I can already tell this playthrough is going straight to hell.
XCOM 2 look about as bug-ridden as previous titles. Good work with that release date push back, Firaxis.
See, I guess the bugs don't bother me so much because -- again, for me personally -- I never found the game unplayable as a result of them. Frustrating, sure, but not unplayable by any means.
I'm far more concerned every time a reviewer says that the game is "much more story-driven" than EU. I'm just like....bruh. Bruh. Didn't you learn your lesson with the story DLC in the first game?
XCOM 2 look about as bug-ridden as previous titles. Good work with that release date push back, Firaxis.
See, I guess the bugs don't bother me so much because -- again, for me personally -- I never found the game unplayable as a result of them. Frustrating, sure, but not unplayable by any means.
I'm far more concerned every time a reviewer says that the game is "much more story-driven" than EU. I'm just like....bruh. Bruh. Didn't you learn your lesson with the story DLC in the first game?
Considering how the set of missions involving Annette Durand and her psionic buddies were better received than the Slingshot DLC, they actually did seem to learn how to do a multiple mission story arc that doesn't take the spotlight away from your own veteran soldiers.
When this game was announced I was all "pic exclusive!? Niooooooooo" but last week I built myself a new PC so I'm back on the xcom hype train
I never felt EW was worth it. Was I wrong about that? Is it different enough to play or should I just keep my hype in reserve and go to town on xcom 2?
EW adds a lot more flavour to the game but makes even I/I runs trivial in the first months due to mechs.
We also still have about a month before release too though.
Active development of the title has almost certainly stopped by now, unless Firaxis has a Stardock-esque production schedule. WYSIWYG until patch rollouts begin.
Beagle said he's never seen aliens get stuck in geometry until streaming today, and he also said he's played about a hundred missions so far.
Also, what just happened on the stream had me laughing out loud super-loud. I hope he puts up a best-of reel from this stream or something because WOW.
We also still have about a month before release too though.
Active development of the title has almost certainly stopped by now, unless Firaxis has a Stardock-esque production schedule. WYSIWYG until patch rollouts begin.
Car just randomly exploded on Beagle, while he was crawling around in concealment, killing 2 soldiers and blowing his cover.
I saw one of the alien solider getting stuck right by upper highway. But it was still killable and he completed the mission. I did not see any other bugs. In my opinion, whatever the build number Beagle is using is somewhat polished.
One month before shipping software products. They are going through final regression and validation, including bug fixes. So, development is still pretty much active until the cut off.
Edit: About that car/truck which blew up killing his dudes. This mission said their supply convey was ambushed by resistances. And there was already one burning when landed. I would think that there are other cars/trucks damaged by the ambush. So, it makes sense even though you don't see the obvious damage done from the outside.
We also still have about a month before release too though.
Active development of the title has almost certainly stopped by now, unless Firaxis has a Stardock-esque production schedule. WYSIWYG until patch rollouts begin.
Car just randomly exploded on Beagle, while he was crawling around in concealment, killing 2 soldiers and blowing his cover.
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WACriminalDying Is Easy, Young ManLiving Is HarderRegistered Userregular
Let's also bear in mind that, if I understood TB's remarks correctly, this build is already at least a few weeks old (because they've had it, but been under NDA for that period of time), and we have about a month of bug-fixing yet to go even now.
There will be bugs, because That's XCOM, Baby, but I've got confidence in Jake Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer, and his band of merry men.
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Inquisitor772 x Penny Arcade Fight Club ChampionA fixed point in space and timeRegistered Userregular
Beagle makes the weirdest decisions sometimes. Stuff like using a grenade to remove cover only after using up 3 shots, instead of just using the grenade first and getting 3 cover-free shots in.
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WACriminalDying Is Easy, Young ManLiving Is HarderRegistered Userregular
Beagle makes the weirdest decisions sometimes. Stuff like using a grenade to remove cover only after using up 3 shots, instead of just using the grenade first and getting 3 cover-free shots in.
Maybe leftover hesitation to use explosives from Long War's loot destruction mechanic?
XCOM 2 look about as bug-ridden as previous titles. Good work with that release date push back, Firaxis.
See, I guess the bugs don't bother me so much because -- again, for me personally -- I never found the game unplayable as a result of them. Frustrating, sure, but not unplayable by any means.
I'm far more concerned every time a reviewer says that the game is "much more story-driven" than EU. I'm just like....bruh. Bruh. Didn't you learn your lesson with the story DLC in the first game?
I am not too worried about this. It was the path that EW took as well, inserting more story points into the game (specifically the assault and Annette and exalt) which had the effect of slightly elongating the game if played right though and/or making the structure of the game if played in roughly the same time more dense with what feels like important happenings. (Though they goofed with the furies as it comes way too late)
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mastertheheroProfessional Video Editor & Book AuthorRegistered Userregular
XCOM 2 look about as bug-ridden as previous titles. Good work with that release date push back, Firaxis.
See, I guess the bugs don't bother me so much because -- again, for me personally -- I never found the game unplayable as a result of them. Frustrating, sure, but not unplayable by any means.
I'm far more concerned every time a reviewer says that the game is "much more story-driven" than EU. I'm just like....bruh. Bruh. Didn't you learn your lesson with the story DLC in the first game?
I am not too worried about this. It was the path that EW took as well, inserting more story points into the game (specifically the assault and Annette and exalt) which had the effect of slightly elongating the game if played right though and/or making the structure of the game if played in roughly the same time more dense with what feels like important happenings. (Though they goofed with the furies as it comes way too late)
Yeah I definitely wasn't a fan of the "story-driven" content. Though it was cool to get my boy Zhang and Annette. The pacing of the council missions and the repetition of the story beats felt very NOT X-Com to me. Instead of being a game driven by emergent gameplay, they were forcing it down a narrative, structured path which wasn't the point of the original game.
It totally seems like they addressed this issue in X-Com 2 but I am already noticing right off the back. Waaaaay too much voice over chatter. Not good.
Let's also bear in mind that, if I understood TB's remarks correctly, this build is already at least a few weeks old (because they've had it, but been under NDA for that period of time), and we have about a month of bug-fixing yet to go even now.
There will be bugs, because That's XCOM, Baby, but I've got confidence in Jake Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer, and his band of merry men.
It will be my introductory program for the new comp.
Yes, Im excited to be able to play Cities Skylines for more than 5 minutes, and Im excited for DEMD later this year, but XCOM is XCOM.
Beagle makes the weirdest decisions sometimes. Stuff like using a grenade to remove cover only after using up 3 shots, instead of just using the grenade first and getting 3 cover-free shots in.
If you're talking about his newest video on Youtube, he was trying to save the grenade if possible. It was a last resort.
I'm watching the Let's Play with Sir Solomon, G.A. and Mark Nauta.
So, I get that when I'm watching a reviewer play and they're bad, okay, fair enough, they're there to review it not master it. But this Nauta guy is the balance lead. And he's awful.
I wish it wasn't but this is shaking my confidence in the game a bit - I feel like the guy in charge of deciding if things are difficult enough needs to have a basic level of competence at the game to be able to come to valid conclusions about that.
Wish they added a single turn undo for when you inevitable misclick.
Nice to see that overwatch has a consistent slot now, that was the worst part about mouse and keyboard support in EU.
You can hotkey overwatch to a button that is independent of its slot in the toolbar. It also only takes one press to use that way. I think it defaults to V.
chopping up a guy to drop him into a MEC suit is amazing.
You get a tiny cut-scene after you train the first MEC trooper, and when I saw it, I thought "Holy shit, this guy is already a complete bad-ass" and also "Holy shit, I have completely destroyed this soldier's life as a human being".
"I didn't ask for this...no really, they rolled a dice then put a bag over my head!!" "Whatever...robo-biceps!" *flex*
No really I imagine they could engineer more human normal limbs for them post war. Still a creepy, weighted choice though.
DarkMecha on
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And I am so excited about it.
Enemy Within is great. Exalt is fun to fight, modifying troops is pretty cool, and chopping up a guy to drop him into a MEC suit is amazing.
I've had that thought as well at times given how XCOM basically is a special forces group towards the end but then I remember how truly awful rookies are. The dichotomy of your redshirt new recruits and superhuman veterans not to mention the way you switch around squad members at will defies any easy comparison to military structure.
Steam Profile
3DS: 3454-0268-5595 Battle.net: SteelAngel#1772
And the first time you have them literally punch a Muton through a wall, you go "...and it was totally worth it."
Jake Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer, has stated explicitly that it was one of their goals. They did it with humanity instead of the aliens because it would have been far more difficult for people to connect with their alien troops.
--Mark Twain
--Mark Twain
I was totally unprepared, research-wise, which was part of the save/reload cycle was because I there were certain shots I had to make otherwise, I'd just be slaughtered.
My spawns were kinda nasty, 3 disks, 2 mechtoids, 3 mutons&1 berzerker, 4 commanders, iirc.
Needless to say, I'm ramping up my research quite a bit. Just got enough money to put in my second lab. The "priority research" right now is the device I got from invading the underground alien base. I've been thinking of leaving that be for a bit while my I catch up on other tech stuff. Good idea? I dunno.
I'm also kinda regretting putting on the randomized upgrades setting. I thought I'd be kinda fun and add some variety to my soldiers, but it has put some serious gaps in my units. No holo-targeting is one I do miss a lot. I also have a preponderance of snipers and support. I literally have 1 assault on my entire squad, and my highest ranked heavy just got killed in the base defense. Though, I don't miss him all that much, his aim was terrible, and his only upgrade that I really liked was bullet storm, which he needed because he missed all the effing time!
aliens will now retreat to pull other pods on the map back to the fight fuuuu
Steam: MightyPotatoKing
I love that.
Goddammit, X-COM..
XCOM 2 look about as bug-ridden as previous titles. Good work with that release date push back, Firaxis.
See, I guess the bugs don't bother me so much because -- again, for me personally -- I never found the game unplayable as a result of them. Frustrating, sure, but not unplayable by any means.
I'm far more concerned every time a reviewer says that the game is "much more story-driven" than EU. I'm just like....bruh. Bruh. Didn't you learn your lesson with the story DLC in the first game?
Steam: MightyPotatoKing
Well they DID buff Chrysalids . . .
We also still have about a month before release too though.
Considering how the set of missions involving Annette Durand and her psionic buddies were better received than the Slingshot DLC, they actually did seem to learn how to do a multiple mission story arc that doesn't take the spotlight away from your own veteran soldiers.
Steam Profile
3DS: 3454-0268-5595 Battle.net: SteelAngel#1772
EW adds a lot more flavour to the game but makes even I/I runs trivial in the first months due to mechs.
2 missions, Beagle has had 2 packs of aliens become outright stuck in geometry. Presumably the same thing can happen to your troops.
Active development of the title has almost certainly stopped by now, unless Firaxis has a Stardock-esque production schedule. WYSIWYG until patch rollouts begin.
Also, what just happened on the stream had me laughing out loud super-loud. I hope he puts up a best-of reel from this stream or something because WOW.
Gamertag: PrimusD | Rock Band DLC | GW:OttW - arrcd | WLD - Thortar
Car just randomly exploded on Beagle, while he was crawling around in concealment, killing 2 soldiers and blowing his cover.
One month before shipping software products. They are going through final regression and validation, including bug fixes. So, development is still pretty much active until the cut off.
Edit: About that car/truck which blew up killing his dudes. This mission said their supply convey was ambushed by resistances. And there was already one burning when landed. I would think that there are other cars/trucks damaged by the ambush. So, it makes sense even though you don't see the obvious damage done from the outside.
There will be bugs, because That's XCOM, Baby, but I've got confidence in Jake Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer, and his band of merry men.
Maybe leftover hesitation to use explosives from Long War's loot destruction mechanic?
I am not too worried about this. It was the path that EW took as well, inserting more story points into the game (specifically the assault and Annette and exalt) which had the effect of slightly elongating the game if played right though and/or making the structure of the game if played in roughly the same time more dense with what feels like important happenings. (Though they goofed with the furies as it comes way too late)
Yeah I definitely wasn't a fan of the "story-driven" content. Though it was cool to get my boy Zhang and Annette. The pacing of the council missions and the repetition of the story beats felt very NOT X-Com to me. Instead of being a game driven by emergent gameplay, they were forcing it down a narrative, structured path which wasn't the point of the original game.
It totally seems like they addressed this issue in X-Com 2 but I am already noticing right off the back. Waaaaay too much voice over chatter. Not good.
It's okay you're just doing a canon run in preparation for 2.
It will be my introductory program for the new comp.
Yes, Im excited to be able to play Cities Skylines for more than 5 minutes, and Im excited for DEMD later this year, but XCOM is XCOM.
If you're talking about his newest video on Youtube, he was trying to save the grenade if possible. It was a last resort.
Steam: MightyPotatoKing
So, I get that when I'm watching a reviewer play and they're bad, okay, fair enough, they're there to review it not master it. But this Nauta guy is the balance lead. And he's awful.
I wish it wasn't but this is shaking my confidence in the game a bit - I feel like the guy in charge of deciding if things are difficult enough needs to have a basic level of competence at the game to be able to come to valid conclusions about that.
Nice to see that overwatch has a consistent slot now, that was the worst part about mouse and keyboard support in EU.
You can hotkey overwatch to a button that is independent of its slot in the toolbar. It also only takes one press to use that way. I think it defaults to V.
"I didn't ask for this...no really, they rolled a dice then put a bag over my head!!"
No really I imagine they could engineer more human normal limbs for them post war. Still a creepy, weighted choice though.