X-COM: UFO Defense--the original

[Greybriar]

Due to all the buzz about the upcoming Firaxis release of XCOM: Enemy Unknown plus the fact that I had a $12 off coupon for it almost caused me to pre-order it. But I didn't and I don't yet know whether or not I will regret that decision when the game is released. But the experience did make me want to play the original X-COM: UFO Defense that MicroProse released way back in 1994. And, yes, I bought it back then and still have it in its retail box.

Anyway I got the game box down off the shelf and proceeded to install it on my Windows 95/DOS computer. There are three 3.5" install disks and I had sailed through the first two before the installation came to a screeching halt when my PC wouldn't read the third diskette. I checked the box only to discover that I had failed to make a set of backup disks. Bummer! So I tried again and no luck. Again and again I tried and twice more was denied. After about three more attempts my PC sort of hesitated and then the installation proceeded. Yay! Once the game was installed, I immediately made a backup of the cranky disk #3. Having gone that far, I also made backups of diskettes #1 and #2.

Then I fired up the game. The introduction was just as I remembered. So was the copy protection requiring a code from the bottom of a random page of the manual to be input, which I did. Then the game itself began, also just as I remembered it. I exited the game and started over and, sure enough, there was that space again requiring a code from the bottom of a random page from the manual.

The above took place about 5:00 a.m. this morning. I had to get ready for the day ahead so I shut the computer off in order to freshen up. Now I am prepared to boot up X-COM: UFO Defense again and spend the entire day playing it.

Did anyone dust off their copy of X-COM: UFO Defense or buy it recently either to reminisce or to prepare themselves for the release of XCOM: Enemy Unknown? Or has someone been playing the old relic all along? I feel this might be a good time to revisit the past to prepare for the "reimagining" of the the new version which is scheduled for release on 9 October 2012.

What do you think?

[Jarhead0331]

Uhhhh...you do realize this timeless classic has been available as a DD, DRM free for months, if not years?

Anyway, one of the greatest games ever made.  I still fire it up from time to time and love it just as much today, as I did when I first bought it at CompUSA. 

[Greybriar]

Uhhhh...you do realize this timeless classic has been available as a DD, DRM free for months, if not years?....

Yes. I bought the X-COM Complete Pack some time ago from GamersGate, but unfortunately on the X-COM: UFO Defense product page it states:

System Requirements
Microsoft 2000/XP/Vista
NOT Windows 7

Since I'm running Windows 7 on my current PC, I figured there was no point of spending even more money for something I purchased nearly twenty years ago. I can live with the old-fashioned copy protection; I've got a sheet that lists all the codes used and the pages they appear on.

[Jarhead0331]

It works!  I run it fine on at least three Windows 7 64-bit systems.

[Greybriar]

That figures. I didn't notice the reference to Windows 7 until after I purchased the X-COM compilation. I never installed any of the games since the original X-COM was the only one I was interested in playing. I suppose I could install it on my Windows 7 PC and copy the save game files from my Windows 95/DOS PC. I've spent several hours playing it today and wouldn't want to waste the effort.

Did you buy yours from GamersGate, Jarhead?

[Jarhead0331]

^I think I have it on gamersgate and steam actually.  Its one of those games that when its on sale for so cheap, I just have to buy it again.

[Greybriar]

I know the feeling. I honestly don't know how many times I have purchased X-COM. I will download the GamersGate version and see how it goes. Actually I was waiting for GOG.com to come out with it. But I can always buy it again.  ;)

[Capn Darwin]

The original is still one of my all time favorite games. I have the steam version and still have the original in its box on my shelf. The new version looks awesome too. Watched an hour of game play last night from a twitch video. Can't wait to play it.  8)

[W8taminute]

...I still fire it up from time to time and love it just as much today, as I did when I first bought it at CompUSA.

R.I.P. CompUSA.  I spent a fortune there in time and money back in the day.  Thank goodness for BestBuy.  I remember the last day that CompUSA was open in my area.  I went to the shop looking for a bargain but there was none to be had.  The shelves were pretty much bare at that point.  Still, to spend just one more hour in a store I loved was sentimental.

[Jarhead0331]

^+1.  Many fond memories from that store.  It existed at the peak of PC gaming, before the ominous rise of consoles.  Walking into CompUSA and walking through isle after isle of computer games was like being in a wonderland.  I'll never forget those days. 

[Nefaro]

Anyway I got the game box down off the shelf and proceeded to install it on my Windows 95/DOS computer. There are three 3.5" install disks and I had sailed through the first two before the installation came to a screeching halt when my PC wouldn't read the third diskette.

God, those old floppy disks were notoriously prone to dying.  Hell, I think the older 5.25" ones had longer shelf lives.  :-\

[Greybriar]

While doing a little research about X-COM, I ran across XCOMUFO, a fan site full of information, links, and other resources. There is a helpful Strategy Guide for the benefit of new players.

[Con]

Does the new game use the same type of gameplay like the original (ie paused movement and action based on points) or is it more of a twitch game like Starcraft etc?

Thanks
Con

[Bison]

The new X-COM is a FPS iirc.

[Jarhead0331]

The new X-COM is a FPS iirc.

You're confusing games.  There is an x-com FPS in the works, but the new one by firaxis is TBS.