Xcom: Enemy Unknown! (NEW STRATEGY GAME BY FIRAXIS)

[GamingboyReborn]

Well, looks like everyone will get the long-awaited X-Com strategy game after all: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/01/05/february-cover-revealed-xcom-enemy-unknown.aspx. And by the Civilization-series Firaxis Games studio, no less.

(And, yes, the Mass Effect-Meets-Bioshock game is also still in production)

[lugaru]

I'm pretty excited for the FPS, much like I loved Fallout 3, but a new strategy game is so much more thrilling. Strategy games are just so few and far in between. I'm also looking forward to the RTS style Jagged Alliance reboot and the following game is pretty bad but strategy lovers might dig it: Trapped Dead on steam.

[BentonGrey]

Awesome, this is fantastic news!

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Okay, I now forgive them for the FPS, since this basically makes it a spin off, and I'm okay with that.

And yeah, Firaxis doing it is excellent news. This is very promising.

[GamingboyReborn]

Okay, I now forgive them for the FPS, since this basically makes it a spin off, and I'm okay with that.

This is basically what my thoughts about the FPS are right now. I actually thought it looked pretty good, but it just, well, wasn't X-Com.

[lugaru]

Yeah, I dont know if I'm a pesimist or a realist but I said "there will never be another XCom but at least they can make a cool shooter that reminds me of it"

Then again there is a fan remake in the works, thank god for indy developers and fans, some of the games I play the most these days (Minecraft, Forge, Project Zomboid) are not big studio.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Yeah, I dont know if I'm a pesimist or a realist but I said "there will never be another XCom but at least they can make a cool shooter that reminds me of it"

Then again there is a fan remake in the works, thank god for indy developers and fans, some of the games I play the most these days (Minecraft, Forge, Project Zomboid) are not big studio.

Maybe I'm mireading you, but it sounds like you missed the whole part about a second, traditional, turned based tactical combat X-Com being made by the same people who make the Civilization games.  So while indy stuff is cool and all, we will have a real, official X-Com game by the end of the year.

And the dumb shooter in addition to that.

[lugaru]

I got that part, I was just pointing out that I'm not too offended by the XCOM first person shooter... it looks fun. The fact that a legit strategy Xcom is coming out is amazing news. In the meantime though I've been following the development of this game:

http://www.xenonauts.com/

Likewise I'm not holding my breath for a new Freedom Force game but I'll take any superhero action game while some forum members build their own.

[Xenolith]

I've logged nearly 1,000 hours on Civ V because it is about the only strategy game I like.  I am looking forward to another X-Com strategy game.  I just ordered a new video card, too, so I'm all set.

[lugaru]

http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/x-com-preview/

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Yeah, everything I'm hearing about this sound like exactly the X-Com update I've been looking for.  I can't wait.

[thalaw2]

That's what I'm talkin' bout'! 

[detourne_me]

I just watched some stuff from Destructoid about this game... looks like a must buy for me, as they are really like action figures a la freedom force,  and they're ant-farm 80's toy playset of a secret base is just awesome too!

[murs47]

I've been checking out the previews of this game and it looks mighty fascinating. I've never played the original, and the only turn-based games I've ever played were Final Fantasy Tactics, Chrono Trigger, and FF7. All three of those I loved dearly. I've also never played any of the Civilization games. With all that said, do you guys think this is a game that a person in my position would enjoy? I haven't played a turn based game in over 15 years and I'm resisting pre-ordering this game at the $50 price tag.

[BentonGrey]

Ohh man, I definitely am getting this....just look at this game....it seems like it is going to be ridiculously awesome!  However, looking at this game, I just can't help but think: 'this is how you innovate in a turn-based game, not by doing away with turn-based, but by improving the gameplay and making everything run more smoothly!'  If only Jagged Alliance had gone that route.

Murs, I don't know about you, but this certainly has my attention!

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

If you liked FF Tactics, then I think you'll be fine.  It's a vaguely similar style of tactical combat, only on a somewhat smaller scale.

[murs47]

If you liked FF Tactics, then I think you'll be fine.  It's a vaguely similar style of tactical combat, only on a somewhat smaller scale.

I loved Tactics. XCOM just seems like a huge evolutionary step of it too. I went ahead and pre-ordered. The "hands-on" video previews some sites are posting just have me drooling.

[thalaw2]

If reviews are favorable then I'm getting this game.  The original turn based series was some of the best gaming of my life.

[lugaru]

http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/20/xcom-enemy-unknown-multiplayer-footage-marsh-vs-rich/

The VS play seems a little unecesary to me but a nice cherry on the cake.

That is not the reason I posted it though, I posted it since it contains 30 minutes of ingame footage.

I want a dozen games running in this engine... tactical zombie survival rpg, tactical superhero game, tactical black ops game, tactical fantasy rpg...

[murs47]

Nice find Lugaru. OXM is posting a preview video series. So far they've released 4 parts. The guy playing offers entertaining commentary.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

[lugaru]

Played the demo, it is pretty much the definition of short but sweet.

[BentonGrey]

Those videos are great fun....I've GOT to get this game.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Warning--this game is incompatible with  Windows XP.  I found out after spending a long time downloading it.

[BentonGrey]

Warning--this game is incompatible with  Windows XP.  I found out after spending a long time downloading it.

Yeah, when Cat discovered this he mentioned it to me on Steam, and my reaction was something like Kirk's 'KHAAAAAAAANNNNN!'

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Yes, yes it was.

[thalaw2]

The multiplayer looks and sounds awesome.  I'm buying a new computer for this one.  Actually, i've been planning to buy a new rig anyway, but I couldn't think of a game that i really wanted to justify the cost for and this seems to be it. 

[murs47]

If you're playing the demo and want a better challenge, a fan put together a demo editor which allows you to fiddle with the 2nd mission. You can change the difficulty, change your squad size, and change which enemies appear during each section[]. The default difficulty for the demo is set to easy. SPOILER WARNING: If you change the enemies you will see a drop-list of all the enemies in the game.

Amping up the difficulty really gave me a better feeling of what to expect. First time using the editor I had only one surviving squad member. And only because I used his rocket launcher as a last resort. Otherwise, I think I would have failed the mission. I seriously can not wait for the full game!

Link to editor is in the first post.

[lugaru]

Going to bed early so I can put in a couple of hours before work tomorrow morning. Should do laundry instead, but I have at least 2 more days worth of "buisness casual" left.

[murs47]

Going to bed early so I can put in a couple of hours before work tomorrow morning. Should do laundry instead, but I have at least 2 more days worth of "buisness casual" left.

Haha nice! I've been running around taking care of everything I need to before 9pm PST.

R.I.P. FIFA, you're about to be de-throned in the world of murs47.

[detourne_me]

I just had to get this game! but it doesn't unlock on steam until the 12th for me!
Anyway, I got a free copy of Civ 5, so if anybody wants it, I can gift it to you!