The X-COM/UFO Games

kowloon

I'm not sure if everyone will remember them, but the X-Com games, the first one in particular are some of my favorites. I've kept up with all the attempts over the years to make new versions and none have come up to scratch.

Anyway, found this project which seems to be more promising, there's an alpha build free to download on the linked page.

I know the franchise has been officially relaunched, but the devblogs have already revealed that they're going to radically change the style of the game.

Mance Rayder

I loved the x-com games and still play them on the DOS-Box emulator. These games come very close to being perfect. Sure the graphics are lacking by today's standards but the game play is still better then most modern games.

There are so many classic stratagy games like XCom that deserve a remake but if they change the game dynamic then they are just wasting their time.

The project you point out looks very promising and I will be investigating that further.

Snaga

I'll just leave this here...

http://www.xcom.com/enemyunknown/index.php

Sephiroth_dude

looks interesting

Zulu

Bloody loved that game!

Tenger

That trailer definitely looks the part, modern graphics......but as I tell my boys anytime they stumble on a game that I used to play:
"Game play is what makes the game not the pretty graphics"

If they have kept to the core plot of kill/salvage/research/build/expand to defeat the aliens then I am pre-ordering this.



I always loved the mental toss-up you had sometimes....."....if I do the Battleship mission I will lose 2-3 guys BUT I will get decent salvage" (Obviously this was earlier in the game,before flying armour and forced entry from above!)

Zulu

Damn you folks, since "02-08-2012, 13:52" I went to steam, bought the original, and sunk 28hours! That's the most gaming I've done in ages. A pox upon your house holds; I've fallen off the wagon. Again.

Tenger

Excellent!!!

Flex

Im really looking forward to this game. I got the original over 15 years ago on the Playstation, then Terror from the Deep. Hadnt played them in years and years and years, then got them on Steam and theyre still among the best strategy games Ive ever played. Had played a few games that seemed to be attempting to replicate Xcom before, like Xenonauts and UFO:Extraterrestrials, but they never lived up to it.

marshbaboon

The reboot from firaxis looks very promising. I really like all the changes that they've showcased.

I still play the original x-com to this day. Up there as one of the best, if not the best game ever made.

Zulu

Anyone happen to know if there will be beta key available for this?

murphm45

Just an FYI there's a demo for this on steam at the moment!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/200510/

Plays quite well, never played the orginal so i won't try to compare it!!!

Tenger

murphm45 wrote: »

Just an FYI there's a demo for this on steam at the moment!

Plays quite well, never played the orginal so i won't try to compare it!!!

Downloading demo now have already pre-ordered the full game. Really looking forward to this and its can't be any worse that UFO:Afterlight/Aftermath/Aftershock.

Sarky

I'm very much looking forward to this. It appears to have all the bits and pieces that made the originals great, which a much needed lick of paint. I'm told the demo is stuck on easy, but you can change it by fiddling with some numbers in one of the files or getting a mod. Might be worth a try.

Because let's be honest, nobody who played the originals is going to play on easy.

kowloon

Sarky wrote: »

Because let's be honest, nobody who played the originals is going to play on easy.

There should be some sort of award ceremony held at the UN for anyone who completed Terror from the Deep.

As for myself, now that the reboot is on the market and the Indie version is about to hit beta I'm no longer living in a place with a connection that can download either :mad:.

Will the big budget Firaxis reboot desecrate my memories of the originals? I was highly skeptical when I started the thread a while back.

Tenger

kowloon wrote: »

....Will the big budget Firaxis reboot desecrate my memories of the originals? I was highly skeptical when I started the thread a while back.

Well I am about to play the demo after downloading it last night.


I did read this post (very long and detailed) on the official site. It claims the remake is inferior to the original. Mostly based on the assumption that they have simplified so many things and removed personal freedoms. (4 man team, upgradable to 6!, less shock factor, only a single base at 1 of 5 preset points, preset soldier classes rather than personalised training, inability to have other soldiers carry ammo for the rocket launcher guy, no opportunity to take ammo from Aliens, no more ammo restrictions)

Now keep in mind this critique is based on the demo rather than the full game. Even so it make me get a bit upset.......I too am hoping or a straight remake of the original. The squad size and preset soldier classes seem to be the dealbreakers for me. (I loved the ability to do my 'training missions'....8 rookies with 6 vets to keep an eye on them while they get some experience)

http://forums.2kgames.com/showthread.php?141886-Remake-is-inferior-to-original-in-every-single-way

SoapMcTavish

I loved X-Com ...

But do you guys remember these precursors on the Speccy ?

Rebelstar ( 1 & 2 ) and then Lasersquad ?

Spent weeks of my life playing those games in the 80's .... they led directly to X-Com ...

Tenger

SoapMcTavish wrote: »

I loved X-Com ...

But do you guys remember these precursors on the Speccy ?

Rebelstar ( 1 & 2 ) and then Lasersquad ?

Spent weeks of my life playing those games in the 80's .... they led directly to X-Com ...

Laser Squad on the Amstrad......hello my pre-teen years!!!
(Took about 20 mins to load up though!!!)

I remember being told about X-Com, and salivating at the thought of larger maps and larger squads.


EDIT: Played the demo......it consists of a tutorial mission where the AI only allows you to do certain actions followed by a quick overview of the base setup then an actual 'first' mission. Visually the game looks great.
I like the cover based tactics you have to follow. As in Company of Heroes as you go to move it displays the level of cover.
I definitely DO NOT like the 4 man squads, lost my sniper in the first firefight in the mission, 25% of my force down in the first volley!!
(I loved the ability to separate my Original Game troops into several fireteams of 3-4 soldiers)
Don't think I like the class system either, I feel losing a particular trooper early in the mission could have a domino effect on your success rate.

Having skimmed though the official forums some ppl have already started mapping out optimal skill paths for each class. May have to look at this in detail later on. Seems to be two major paths for each class (ie. Shotgun or Assault rifle for the Assault class)so having 8 main guys in your squad seems to be the idea. Then pick the 4 that suit the mission. I can see this being a difficult decision when trying to level up a new soldier. The base location is a hard choice and definitely lends itself to repeat playthroughs.

Regardless of my initial dislikes I loved playing an X-Com game again.....so fanboy thumbs up from me. I can see myself giving it 2-3 scout plays first until I settle on my tactics and tech/upgrade path.

Tenger

Just to pass a bit of time I bought the original game on Steam 2 days ago.
I forgot how unforgiving it is......this is about 3-4 turns into my 2nd Terror mission....8/14 troops down.......look familiar to anyone?


X-Com memories by tearbringer, on Flickr

Riddle101

I loved UFO: Enemy Unknown. Going to try and get the remake tommorow. Looking back, the 90's was the golden age of gaming. UFO, Dune, Command & Conquer, Settlers, Age of Empires. They were all classics.