In November, Enemy Within (http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/08/21/xcom-enemy-within-announced-tons-of-details) shall be upon us. Bring forth a cavalcade of quotes!
QuoteFirst and foremost, Firaxis is addressing a couple of XCOM fans' most vocal complaints: you'll now be able to have French soldiers speaking French (among others, courtesy of allowing us to access localized voice files), and we'll see around 40 additional maps combined with Enemy Unknown's 80. That number will include UFO crash maps in urban and rural environments, instead of just forest.
QuoteWe're also getting a fifth class of soldier: the Mech trooper. But this isn't a class you're born into like the existing Assault, Support, Heavy, and Sniper - this is one that, after the proper facility is built, you can move any soldier into. He or she will lose all of their current class abilities, but gets to choose from a whole new ability tree up to their existing rank.
We don't yet know the full extent of the Mech Trooper's skill tree, but we do know that the first skill they unlock will be Collateral Damage, which will allow us to more easily target terrain (which Gupta says is designed to get us closer to the free-fire weapons of X-COM: UFO Defense). There will also be an upgrade that heals every XCOM soldier in a radius. They'll also have an ability that allows them to serve as mobile cover for XCOM troops, making it easier to cross no-man's-land stretches without being gunned down, a jumpjet system, and Damage Control, which reduces the damage taken for one turn.
Mechs won't be able to equip standard guns and items, but they'll have their own weapon upgrade tree that goes from minigun to rail gun to an energy weapon, and they'll be the first XCOM units to feature a flamethrower.
Presumably, these upgrades will come from researching the one new enemy (of several promised) that Firaxis is prepared to reveal: the Mechtoid. These armored sectoids remind me a lot of the mechs from the TV show Falling Skies, and have the ability to fire twice in a turn (much like the Heavy's Bulletstorm ability). If another sectoid mind-merges with him, he gains a damage-absorbing shield, but he doesn't gain the vulnerability of dying if the caster is taken out. Killing that guy just disables the shield.
QuoteMechs sound impressive, but there's a reason to keep your best and brightest out of a set of metal pants: upgrading a soldier to Mech status disqualifies him or her from receiving genetic enhancements. Every trooper have five slots for upgrades: brain, eyes, skin, chest, and legs. Each will have two options to choose from (which can be swapped if you're willing to pay) and we've gotten the details on two of those sets.
On the brain, you'll be able to choose from Neural Feedback, which inflicts damage on any enemy attempting psi attacks (though doesn't reduce the chance of success) or Neural Dampening, which renders a soldier immune to panic and, should an enemy succeed in mind-controlling him or her, will simply knock them unconscious instead of turning him.
On the legs, you can either upgrade to Muscle Fiber, which lets a soldier climb walls without a skeleton suit, or Adaptive Bone Marrow, which provides limited health regeneration if they're wounded. But remember: you can't have both at once.
QuoteHere' some more definitely good news: we're getting new grenade types, including a Needle grenade (unlocked after researching a Cryssalid corpse) with a large blast radius, but won't affect enemies in cover. Also, there will be stealth grenades that effectively splash allies with invisibility paint. That sounds overpowered, but Enemy Unknown reduces the critical bonus of stealth attacks from 100 to 30.
QuoteSo there will be a lot more to spend your money, eleriuim, and alien alloys on in Enemy Within. Instead of increasing our cash flow, Firaxis has added a whole new resource, called Meld. Meld canisters will be randomly scattered throughout maps (in the same way that enemies are randomly distributed), but collecting them will require haste, because they have self-destruct timers. It's a system designed to get us moving quickly and recklessly instead of the slow, safe pace XCOM veterans have developed to keep our best and brightest alive.
QuoteBut don't worry - there's now a Foundry upgrade that allows us to unlock the two-item capacity upgrade for every class!
Quote...And then some, because there are new Second Wave options coming as well. There's one that will bring back some of the old-school XCOM terror by giving non-cover-using enemies (like Mechtoids and Sectopods) a 50% chance to fire on your soldiers on sight, and, far more exciting for me, one that randomizes the upgrade trees for soldiers beyond their initial class-specific ability. Imagine a Heavy with Lightning Reflexes and Battle Scanner? You might have that, if you're lucky. The possibilities are endless. Oh, and there's now a Reduced Beginner VO option that will shut up Drs. Vahlen and Shen, allowing us to do our walk of failed Iron Man Shame without being talked down to.
QuoteOn the multiplayer end, we're getting eight new maps - a couple of which, admittedly, are recycled from the campaign. There's also a much-needed option to pre-configure your squads offline, before jumping into a match and awkwardly fiddling with your points for 20 minutes before starting a game.
Edit: Bonus info! There is a button in the pre-mission UI that strips all soldiers not currently assigned to the Skyranger team of all equipment. So no more digging through your entire roster looking for the off-duty guy who has the arc thrower equipped, or that extra set of Ghost armor!
Good XCOM:EW interview and footage here: http://2kgam.es/rev3xcom (http://2kgam.es/rev3xcom)
11/12/13 is too damn far off. :'(
It already shows as released on my Steam! :)
Any other guys buying this?
Quote from: Yskonyn on October 08, 2013, 01:11:55 PM
It already shows as released on my Steam! :)
Any other guys buying this?
Absolutely I'm buying it. But the release date says November 12 on Steam, although you can pre-purchase it now at a 10% discount.
Oh sorry.. my bad. I just got the 'There is new content for your game' popup and in my enthousiasm thought it was available.. -.- Damn Steam mindgames.
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I've got it ready to go, but I probably won't have time to really sit down and play it until this weekend. :'(
Just some initial feedback after playing last night:
Mecs :: You get them pretty early in the game and they are fun and devastating to aliens on the field. You will shat your pants and shout with glee as you mec's robotic arm picks up a alien and smashes him through a wall..... Early on I can not tell if they are overpowered and they cannot take cover... so you can't just charge in. The flame thrower really roasts aliens... almost like a impromptu barbecue.
One polishing feature I really like is that now when you are about to throw a grenade the items/persons that the grenade will effect are highlighted in red. More maps and some cut scenes are nice. Lots of customization now with the genetic augmentations and the mecs.
While there are a lot of options, the one thing that remains in the game is you have limited resources so there for you have to pick and choose which path you want to go down.
Medals are nice and add some bonus you assign to the medal from a choice of 2 (for example +5 defense when fully covered or +5 aim for Aliens who are fully covered). You apply one of the two bonuses for that medal for the rest of the game and then when they are earned, assign them to the solders you want. This helps for slamming your keyboard when your highly decorated genetic solider dies.
A couple of new aliens.... a cloaked face sucking alien who preys on those you when you leave a solider without a friend......
So far I am enjoying it, more so than the initial release of EU.
PE
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Pro Tip: You don't necessarily have to put squad members at risk to get Meld. When you finish a mission, you get all the Meld on a map that hasn't expired, even if you haven't found it.
Note: This is on Normal difficulty, so I wouldn't be surprised if it works differently on higher difficulty levels.
Quote from: tgb on November 14, 2013, 03:18:07 AM
Pro Tip: You don't necessarily have to put squad members at risk to get Meld. When you finish a mission, you get all the Meld on a map that hasn't expired, even if you haven't found it.
Note: This is on Normal difficulty, so I wouldn't be surprised if it works differently on higher difficulty levels.
When you discover the first container of meld, you have 3 turns to claim... if not you lose it. The remaining canister is activated once you get within range to sense it by the yellow line.... from there it is around six turns or so. Depending on the alien seed and difficulty this can be hard to claim that quickly.....
I have been able to claim the first by reaching it and the second by killing all of the remaining aliens on the map.... never have been able to kill all aliens in time to get 2 canisters without having to claim the first.
PE
Quote from: PanzersEast on November 14, 2013, 08:47:39 AM
Quote from: tgb on November 14, 2013, 03:18:07 AM
Pro Tip: You don't necessarily have to put squad members at risk to get Meld. When you finish a mission, you get all the Meld on a map that hasn't expired, even if you haven't found it.
Note: This is on Normal difficulty, so I wouldn't be surprised if it works differently on higher difficulty levels.
When you discover the first container of meld, you have 3 turns to claim... if not you lose it. The remaining canister is activated once you get within range to sense it by the yellow line.... from there it is around six turns or so. Depending on the alien seed and difficulty this can be hard to claim that quickly.....
I have been able to claim the first by reaching it and the second by killing all of the remaining aliens on the map.... never have been able to kill all aliens in time to get 2 canisters without having to claim the first.
PE
Those numbers are not hard-coded. I have discovered canisters that had anywhere from 1-5 turns remaining when I first saw them.
Quote from: tgb on November 14, 2013, 08:54:00 AM
Quote from: PanzersEast on November 14, 2013, 08:47:39 AM
Quote from: tgb on November 14, 2013, 03:18:07 AM
Pro Tip: You don't necessarily have to put squad members at risk to get Meld. When you finish a mission, you get all the Meld on a map that hasn't expired, even if you haven't found it.
Note: This is on Normal difficulty, so I wouldn't be surprised if it works differently on higher difficulty levels.
When you discover the first container of meld, you have 3 turns to claim... if not you lose it. The remaining canister is activated once you get within range to sense it by the yellow line.... from there it is around six turns or so. Depending on the alien seed and difficulty this can be hard to claim that quickly.....
I have been able to claim the first by reaching it and the second by killing all of the remaining aliens on the map.... never have been able to kill all aliens in time to get 2 canisters without having to claim the first.
PE
Those numbers are not hard-coded. I have discovered canisters that had anywhere from 1-5 turns remaining when I first saw them.
Interesting.... I have to pay attention next time. I guess on the first I generally notice I have three turns, however the later canister has been different. I'll watch it next time.
Is it me or does the mec seem overpowered in the early game.... but is fun torching aliens. If you place 2 mec(s) on the battlefield, they can be very devastating..... especially with perks.
PE
Dumb question.....with this expansion, do you play a whole new campaign or do you play the original campaign with just the enhancements? How are people enjoying so far?
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 16, 2013, 12:29:37 PM
Dumb question.....with this expansion, do you play a whole new campaign or do you play the original campaign with just the enhancements? How are people enjoying so far?
original campaign with enhancements. Its great. A must have add-on in my opinion.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on November 16, 2013, 01:12:44 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on November 16, 2013, 12:29:37 PM
Dumb question.....with this expansion, do you play a whole new campaign or do you play the original campaign with just the enhancements? How are people enjoying so far?
original campaign with enhancements. Its great. A must have add-on in my opinion.
Excellent...likely will pick up this weekend....thanks!
Just about through my first play though and will go back and play again.... next time Classic/Ironman.
PE
Playing through again on 'Iron Man' with many of the advanced/extra options selected. Great game. Possibly one of the best tacticals I've ever played.
...I just can't quite build up enough enthusiasm to rebuy my original game at full price (again) for these extras. :(
Doesn't help that I bought XCOM on the PS3, because my new computer wasn't ready yet last year: EW will surely get a decent sale next year on the PC, but for the PS3 30% is about the best one can hope for (and that's rare).
Quote from: JasonPratt on November 22, 2013, 01:57:08 PM
...I just can't quite build up enough enthusiasm to rebuy my original game at full price (again)....
Amazon.com is offering a Firaxis Complete Pack (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CPBZDPE?pf_rd_p=1671227422&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-7&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=2445220011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1P2YAP075MYD6ZMZ8YVA&ref_=acs_ux_tl_1_4_t_Nov21)for $19.99 that includes
- Civilization V: Gold Edition
Civilization IV: The Complete Edition
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Amazon.com is also offering an
XCOM Collection (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ECHYTKY?pf_rd_p=1671227422&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-7&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=2445220011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1P2YAP075MYD6ZMZ8YVA&ref_=acs_ux_tl_2_1_t_Nov21) for $9.99 that includes
- XCOM: Enemy Unknown
XCOM: Enemy Unknown: Slingshot Pack
XCOM: Enemy Unknown: Elite Soldier Pack
X-COM: Apocalypse
X-COM: Enforcer
X-COM: Terror from the Deep
X-COM: UFO Defense
Either one would be a good buy if someone didn't already own most of the games in one of the compilations.
Xcept I do. :)
Finished X-Com: Enemy Within over the weekend and just a couple of observations...
I do not feel like it is worth the $29.99 price tag and the add-on feels like it should have been apart of the game originally. I paid $18.00 for it and feel like I got my money's worth out of it. The core of the game is still the same... I mean as it applies to the ending.
Genetic alteration and Mec creation is very fun in the game... and the added customization. The inclusion of having to secure the Meld adds a new tactical decision to the maps, and the new maps are nicely done.
Medals were a good addition, however like I said before it feels like it should have been in there to begin with. Overall I enjoyed it much more than EU, however be aware that much of the game is the same as before, but you have more options and customization and a new group to deal with that will steal money and sabotage your research until you find their base. Exault uses a lot of the same equipment you do, however they seemed a little underpowered to me.... much more of a nuisance than a threat. I recommend the expansion, however at a discounted price.
PE
The Exalt missions are the high point of the new content, in my opinion.
The self-healing gene alteration is a nice stopgap before you get some serious armor, although it does minimize the importance of the support class. I haven't found the mechs as useful as the gene alts so far.
I am a huge fan of squad-based tactical combat, largely because of the original xcom, and I think the current iteration sets a new bar. (I'll still give original xcom the edge for overall experience, primarily because of the base attacks)
I agree that $30.00 is a bit much to ask for the changes. If it makes anyone feel any better, I dropped $50 on X:Com declassified because somehow I missed out on the FPS focus. So I have seriously overpaid for my xcom fix, lol.
Quote from: skeptical.platypus on December 04, 2013, 12:35:59 AM
I am a huge fan of squad-based tactical combat, largely because of the original xcom, and I think the current iteration sets a new bar.
Have you picked up
Xenonauts yet?? :)
Quote from: Nefaro on December 04, 2013, 05:13:50 AM
Quote from: skeptical.platypus on December 04, 2013, 12:35:59 AM
I am a huge fan of squad-based tactical combat, largely because of the original xcom, and I think the current iteration sets a new bar.
Have you picked up Xenonauts yet?? :)
I have it and prefer it over X-Com..... the current incarnation anyway. I don't want to sound like I did not like Enemy Within because I did, however it felt like it should have been there to begin with and the End Game has not changed which is a little disappointing. But, overall I enjoyed it and will play it again at some point.
PE
Quote from: Nefaro on December 04, 2013, 05:13:50 AM
Quote from: skeptical.platypus on December 04, 2013, 12:35:59 AM
I am a huge fan of squad-based tactical combat, largely because of the original xcom, and I think the current iteration sets a new bar.
Have you picked up Xenonauts yet?? :)
I'll check it out. If it is the latest iteration of the UFO: Extraterrestrials line, it will need more. While I love original xcom, I probably love the memory of it a bit more than the actual game. UFO: Ex established for me that I didn't want just MOTS. Current Xcom established that I want ALOTSBSDST (a lot of the same but some different stuff too).
Now if xenonauts have base attacks, and those speedy exploding gasbag runners. . .
Edited to add: downloading the xenonauts demo tonight. Thanks!
XN is definitely not an attempt at continuing the (pseudo-)UFO line of X-Com/UFO remakes. (I say 'pseudo' because in Britain X-Com was known as UFO: Enemy Unknown. My first copy of the game, in college, came from there somehow, though I don't know how. If I had it today I'd have a collector's item.)
I think I recall assaults on the player's base(s) being part of the design, though only recently implemented. (It's still in beta after all.) I haven't played nearly far enough to get there.
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Quote from: eyebiter on December 06, 2013, 08:14:18 AM
Just installed Enemy Within, noticed a major jump in difficulty level. Playing on classic level now average one rookie KIA per mission. First time ran into thin men lost the entire squad. With much longer research times, going to have to play conservative for the first few months. Hiding in full cover isn't enough, have to hunker down. Often end up using grenades instead of guns.
Drats....now I'm not sure about this one. To us tactically-challenged gamers, hearing that difficulty has been ramped up is not a good thing.
Well, that's in classic mode of course. But yeah, obviously the expansion is meant to make things both harder and more interesting with more options for everyone, both the XCOM and enemies.
The mere fact that your own base might be invaded (and I'm guessing it's still only one base, so there isn't a fallback possibility) instantly makes the game that much harder by itself!
The game is harder, however the Mec can be a real difference maker, as well as augmenting your soldiers. I've beat the expansion and the base invasion is very difficult, as you fight waves of enemies dropping into your base, however you get some support, but not much. Always stick to the higher ground, you get good bonuses from it. Invading the Exault HQ was pretty fun as well....
PE
So is the base invasion (of XCOM's base I mean) a scripted thingy that will certainly happen before the end of the game, or what?
Quote from: JasonPratt on December 06, 2013, 12:30:44 PM
So is the base invasion (of XCOM's base I mean) a scripted thingy that will certainly happen before the end of the game, or what?
It appears to be scripted, so it will trigger once you get into the later game.
PE
Posted this in the sales thread but thought such a good deal worth posting here too...only $9
http://www.amazon.com/XCOM-Enemy-Within-Online-Game/dp/B00FEOUDUE/ref=sr_1_3?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1388528580&sr=1-3&keywords=xcom+enemy+within