XCOM: Enemy Unknown

[Spike88]

Steam gets 98% done downloading the demo... And refuses to connect to the bloody steam servers.

I can view their store just fine, but can't get on friends or download games.


Their forums are down too.

[Dowly]

TotalBiscuit's XCOM: DEMO Analysis:

[Oberon]

Watching that, it strikes me that the new Xcom is a bit like Civ V to the rest of the Civilization games. It's simplified in many places, improved in some, and looks pretty. However it's going to divide people pretty spectacularly between those who appreciate the streamlining of the new Xcom and those who liked the nitty-gritty of the original.

[Dowly]

Myeah, it's very much watered (call it streamlined if you really must ) down.

Only one base, chosen from 5 presets. Not a game breaker, but would be nice
to put my base where I want. And it did matter where you chose to place your
base in the original to get the best coverage.

No inventory management/class system. This is something I really don't like.
I liked to be handed a bunch of soldiers and just decide what to do with them
and how to equip them depending of the mission. One would imagine that an
elite organization like X-COM would have familiarized their soldiers with all kinds
of weapon systems before sending them to the field. Also, having no inventory
per se competely removes those occasions when you are getting your arse
kicked and try to recover as much hardware as possible before retreating back
to base.

No TUs. Another thing I don't like. TUs have been proven to work very well
in numerous games that are now considered classics (JA1&2, FO1&2, X-COMs etc.).
I get it that it makes the combat more intense in that you have to think more
what your next move will be, but that was just the same with the TU system.
Sure, you could try to inch your way through the missions, but you could also
make some pretty complex maneuvers with TUs.

The size of maps was (yet) another thing that kinda bugged me. They seemed
a bit small and so engagements where at times from pretty close up, which
in turn made the combat look a bit silly. I was watching someone playing
the Xbox preview version of it and witnessed twice as one of the elite X-COM
soldiers missed a 6 round burst from no farther than 10 meters. It really
looked like the soldier just shut her eyes and prayed for the best.

Few other things about the combat that caught my eye. The cover system
telling you if the enemy can see to the cover you are about to move to I hope
is something you can turn off. It seems to be on even on 'Classic' difficulty.
If I want to make a mistake, please allow me to do so.
Also, in the preview version I noticed few times when a sniper's accuracy
didn't change at all whether he was using the rifle or the pistol.
And lastly, don't think you can actually fire at anything but a target, which
takes away another layer from the tactical nature of the combat as you can't
anymore make your own entrances (except with grenades I assume).

However, it does have some nice things. The atmosphere feels nice, except
during combat. I saw in the preview version that the people in the control room
burst out to cheer and stuff everytime you shoot down an UFO, that was a nice touch.
Xenonaut's going to keep me busy until EU hits the sales, I shall get it then.

[Drewcifer]

Not sure if its already been posted but this video really shows off the game much better then the HORRIBLE hand holding simple demo.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012...e-xcom-remake/

[Arclight]

Rather like both styles. The old one as redone by Xenonauts lets me ponder a turn for half an hour and then screw it all up, while XCOM allows for a high-stakes tactical game without worrying about details too much.

I really like details, but I feel they can detract from gameplay a bit. For example, in Men of War when I play SP, I spend more time running around gathering gear and ammo and dividing it up than I do fighting engagements. I know that's an extreme example though; X-com/Xenonauts strikes a far better balance in that regard.

Watered down or more playable, depends on who you ask. I'm just glad to have both options available. Already put the money down for XCOM, and with the end of the month aproaching it's likely Xenonauts will be part of the collection shortly.