Thread: XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Hi guys,

I'm loving this game so far. Anyone else playing? If not, it's worth a look if you like turn-based, squad/skirmish games. The combat is fun and everything, but the real strategy comes from the base management/world management. That's the part you really have to master to get awesome at this game.

I highly recommend reading this tips before you start article:
http://kotaku.com/5949758/before-you...n-the-best-way

Also, one other tip: Get a 2nd satellite uplink ASAP and build some satellites.

I'm playing on normal for now. Once I beat it, I'll probably go back on ironman mode.

Sometimes I feel like you are trying, single-handedly, to boost profits of video game companies.

For anyone else who hasn't played XCOM games before - think Final Fantasy Tactics / Fire Emblem, but with aliens (evidently, FFT is actually based off the original XCOM games). Each map is tactical turn-based combat, but yeah like Adam said the big thing I'm actually having problems with is the resource management aspect of the game. There's a brief tutorial, but a lot of the things you want to aim for and why are kind of on a trial-and-error basis. I think I'm going to play this one through on normal as kind of an invasion simulator (IE: trying my best with no idea what to expect or which technology will get me what), and bump the difficulty up for the next playthrough (when I can actually make informed decisions about everything).

One thing to know going in: you can't save everyone, you can't unlock everything. You're always going to be running behind in some area, or some of your troops aren't going to make it home, or some country is going to go into a panic at its lack of aid. And if you're not having that problem, you should quit your game and turn the difficulty up.

EDIT: Oh, one other thing to know going in... it's a 14 GB download, so if you're going with a steam purchase, don't plan on turning around and playing it right away...

Originally Posted by RealGenius

Sometimes I feel like you are trying, single-handedly, to boost profits of video game companies.

you don't know that I'm not!

Also, i'm just mentioning games I actually play/haved played/want to play. I like video games, what can I say! My biggest problem is getting too deep in back-log.


As for Splug's comments, they are pretty spot on. Also, go for plasma -- lasers apparently suck. for now, at least. Plasma and carapace armor is pretty effective. It's almost like they knew about another game that uses veterans in dropships with better armor and plasma...

Originally Posted by evil homer

I remember original X-Com, this is really interested and I don't play many video games anymore.

Yeah, I played those too. in fact, those are all available via steam on PC/Mac now. and they are pretty cheap. That said, due to screen resolutions and newer operating systems, they run sorta funny.

This XCOM game is definitely in the same vein as the old school games, right down to the Boxy Guile-style hair cut option. It is very very similar to the old school Xcom games, but looks 1000x better now. There is even a demo you can play via steam, if you're curious give it a shot! it's basically the tutorial mission and then a quick solo mission. You'll pick up on the similarities pretty quick.

Originally Posted by AdamHarry

you don't know that I'm not!

Also, i'm just mentioning games I actually play/haved played/want to play. I like video games, what can I say! My biggest problem is getting too deep in back-log.

I'm just jealous. I blame Bigred.

Originally Posted by RealGenius

I'm just jealous. I blame Bigred.

That's fair. I would like to say this as well, Splug is one of my buddies on steam and he commented on seeing me awake and playing XCOM at 2 am on a work night (I usually try to get to sleep at around 11 or so). Last night i tried not to say up that late, but still played until 1 am. needless to say, coffee is helping me with my productivity levels right now.

Oh Hey Splug -- and who ever else is play -- The Iron Will Buff in the Officer Training School is totally worth it. Next play through, I'm grabbing that before the 25% XP boost.

Well, keep in mind there's a requirement that you have someone at a certain rank before you can get those officer training boosts. I'm not as sold on Iron Will - my troops haven't really hard core panicked since I regularly could run people at > squadie level. I guess the way I look at it, given the choice between leveling faster and getting higher will that way versus just having more will gained per level, I'd rather get all the other perks from leveling up.

Though, that said, I finally had a bunch of mutons just spook some dudes with intimidate spam.