There's a public build out to try for free. Ground combat only using the new 3D engine. I'll be having a look at this when I get home tonight. You'll need to install GOG Galaxy though.
Announcement Thread (http://www.goldhawkinteractive.com/forums/index.php?/topic/13499-xenonauts-2-free-public-builds/)
Quote from: Pinetree on October 24, 2016, 06:05:21 PM
There's a public build out to try for free. Ground combat only using the new 3D engine. I'll be having a look at this when I get home tonight. You'll need to install GOG Galaxy though.
Announcement Thread (http://www.goldhawkinteractive.com/forums/index.php?/topic/13499-xenonauts-2-free-public-builds/)
The original Xenonauts is an excellent game..one I like as much, or more than X-Com. There...I said it. I have played ALL the X-Com games, all the way back to 1991.
I like the inclusion of Russian armour!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Freleases.havamedia.netdna-cdn.com%2Fimages%2Fimage%3Fwidth%3D620%26amp%3Bsrc%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Freleasesdisstrorage.blob.core.windows.net%2Fpostattachments%2F560ba7d2e4b0137d9f574cbb&hash=27e6ddff86964901942fe84c2c0f59146206f0bf)
Just an FYI. You can get a free peek at Xenonauts 2. The devs are releasing development builds of Xenonauts 2 for free.
Quote
When X-COM cast off its hyphen and complexity to become XCOM, Xenonauts was handily here with old-school alien-busting. Now you can see how its sequel is shaping up, as developers Goldhawk Interactive are releasing development builds of Xenonauts 2 [official site] for free. You can play one single mission right now, then Goldhawk plan to expand this pre-alpha demo fortnightly. They'll start charging money once the game's in good enough shape but paying with feedback is peachy-dory for now.
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/02/24/xenonauts-2-download-free-dev-build/#more-431581
Arise thread! There's currently a Kickstarter for this underway, got a few days to go and has met it's target:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/69341191/xenonauts-2-strategic-planetary-defence-simulator/ (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/69341191/xenonauts-2-strategic-planetary-defence-simulator/)
I've backed the Kickstarter. I think I own Xenonauts somewhere in my library of games never played. But did play the original X-Com games when I was little nipper.
Yeah I own the first Xenonauts and played it for all of five minutes. Ended up backing the second game anyway because 1/ hardcore XCOM would have to try really hard to disappoint and 2/ A game for £18 with Early Access seems like a good deal. I can also probably cover it for work.
Still, I've reinstalled X1 to try and give it a better look at, so that I don't look so silly.
There is a Xenonauts 2 Demo (https://www.gog.com/game/xenonauts_2_demo) available from GOG.
I did not care for the first Xenonauts. Think I'll wait until I see the reviews of the finished game.
fyi: there is a demo up on Steam until Feb 9th.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/538030/Xenonauts_2/
I loved the original Xenonauts. The novella that set the game up was awesome for atmosphere, and the game captured the same kind of vibe as the original X-Com.
The mid/end-game gets a little grindy, and I'll admit that I abandoned it about 2/3 or 3/4 of the way through. But that was still easily 60+ hours of riveting game play!
Seems like release are coming fast and furious over the summer:) This releases into early access on July 18th. Attached one preview that seemed to question on how different than prior versions and still some things to complete.
Store
https://store.steampowered.com/app/538030/Xenonauts_2/
Preview
https://www.pcgamer.com/xenonauts-2-is-a-comprehensive-but-overly-safe-tribute-to-classic-x-com/
Man all these games I'm interested in and currently in no financial position to purchase.
Quote from: jamus34 on July 15, 2023, 09:34:27 AMMan all these games I'm interested in and currently in no financial position to purchase.
Same here.
Yeah. Having good games to purchase is one of those "necessary but not sufficient" criteria for gaming satisfaction. For me, the scarce commodity right now is playing time.
I am intrigued by this title, but do question how much better they'll get than the original.
Price will be 39.99, but during first week will be 29.99, 25% off
Comments from developer about differences from first version
It's difficult to pick out specific changes because the improvement comes from lots of small changes rather than a few big ones, but here we go:
- Graphics / Presentation: the graphics and the UI are a lot better than the first game, and the fact it's in 3D means you can rotate the camera which makes a huge difference to a lot of players.
- Gameplay Variety: there's more types of mission with different objectives, which keeps things fresh. There's more equipment and more opportunities in the tech tree to research stuff in different orders. There's new alien types, and the aliens have more distinct abilities that mean they sometimes require more tactical adaption.
- Information: the game displays more useful information to the player, like exactly how the shot hit % is calculated. You can now preview what your hit % for a shot will be from a particular tile before you actually move there. There's a tutorial, and good tooltips that use the CK3 / Old World nested tooltips system.....
Basically, there's more stuff and what's there is better. I haven't even mentioned smaller additions like being able to train soldiers, or base structures now having a Power system and adjacency bonuses, etc.
If you're worried about it being too similar to X1 then there's no harm in waiting until release when you'll have a much better idea of what the final game looks like, and whether people like it or not.
And now released....
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 18, 2023, 04:22:28 AMAnd now released....
I guess I should start playing the first xenonauts now. Purchased when it first came out.
Quote from: bobarossa on July 18, 2023, 06:54:55 AMQuote from: Grim.Reaper on July 18, 2023, 04:22:28 AMAnd now released....
I guess I should start playing the first xenonauts now. Purchased when it first came out.
From what it sounds like the first version might not be drastically different from the second version so might not be missing much:)
So, released but still in Early Access. Good for those guys! That's a nice milestone to clear.
We'll see how it goes from here. Mission variety was one of the few areas where the game fell over for me mid-/late-game. It's nice to hear that they're adding new options.
Looks like no random maps yet, and currently no way to use previously designed fan-made workshop maps (which might make sense due to the different timeframe, late 00s instead of 70s. But still.)
The game is fiendishly difficult, but it is still engrossing. It is basically a complete copy of the original X-COM, which is a good thing because that game was nearly perfect in every way. If there are any problems that jump out at me, its with the maps. They are bland and lifeless. Most random encounters seem to take place on the same type of map. Some kind of a dull construction site or industrial block. They need to diversify this and somehow make the terrain come alive. Also, the civilian AI is brain dead. They need to work on that a little too. A number of missions are also time sensitive. In other words, after 7 turns, the enemy will begin to get reinforcements which will result in the difficulty ramping up dramatically. I absolutely hate this and any time limitations or restrictions imposed in missions. There are a few other things I could harp on about, but I suspect they are mostly due to the fact that I'm still pretty early in my campaign. I think a lot of the challenges I am facing that sometimes seem unfair will be adjusted as my team improves with experience and we get access to better technology, defenses and offensive weaponry. I'm like right on the cusp of unlocking major new weapons and gear that I think will dramatically alter the balance. I can feel it.
In general, if you like the original X-COM, you'll probably like this too. It sticks very closely to its successful formula.
Jarhead -- Can you compare/contrast with the original Xenonauts?
Quote from: matt3916 on July 19, 2023, 05:29:17 PMJarhead -- Can you compare/contrast with the original Xenonauts?
Although I have it, I never really got into it and my last experiences with it were several years ago. My lingering impression is that it made me want to play the original X-Com. :Nerd: