Quick Look: XCOM: Enemy Unknown

I always get excited about the idea of turn based tactics games but then I don't actually enjoy them when I play them. (exception: Gladius) I watch this quick look and I think "man, that looks awesome. I really want to play it" but I worry that I'll lose interest after a few hours.

Research system reminds me a lot of World of Tanks.

@Brad3000 said:

I always get excited about the idea of turn based tactics games but then I don't actually enjoy them when I play them. (exception: Gladius) I watch this quick look and I think "man, that looks awesome. I really want to play it" but I worry that I'll lose interest after a few hours.

Gladius, oh how I wish for a sequel ;_;

Love how Jeff told Ryan to get moving. Where was he in the Dishonored QL?

I really hope you guys cover the differences between console versions (if there are any) in your review. Skimming though all the glowing reccomendations this morning, I see no mention at all of the PS3 version. Which makes me a bit nervous...PS3 Skyrim was such a burn...but then Firaxis isn't Bethesda, and Xcom doesn't look as memory intensive as Skryim...

Anyway, hope someone besides random youtube people decide to actually try the PS3 version in their reviews.

@Skanker said:

@gladspooky said:

"Man, I hate Patrick Quick Looks! He's the only guy who stands around and talks without doing anything! I'm watching him do nothing! None of the other guys do that!"

Hah. I wonder if those people watch these Quick Looks while stabbing themselves with a fork so they don't remember it.

Nobody says this. People have been complaining about how Ryan quick looks games for years now. Pay attention.

Uh, some jackass said that exact same thing on the Dishonored Quick Look. Pay attention.

After watching this I get the feeling I am totally gonna get hooked on this game.

@captainanderson said:

Why do they keep doing Quick Looks of PC games on 360? I don't mean to be that guy, but come on, X-COM on console is not the proper way to show off the game.

Do you have any actual practical argument why the QL is worse because of it? Or are you complaining it's not on PC just to complain?

XBox version is almost exactly equivalent to the PC version. Sadly they didn't notably change the interface for the PC version, and it's not particularly good as a result. Choosing character positions is easier, but I found choosing actions and targets is awkward since it relies on key presses. I'll be getting the PC version, but based on my experience with the demo, I'll be using my 360 pad because it seemed a lot more intuitive with the way they designed the interface.

Looks pretty awesome, might pick this up

@captainanderson: XCOM is not a PC game, it's a multiplatform game with actually a really controller focused control scheme, if anything it's a controller game more than anything else.

Stuff like, hey we only got sent the 360 version of a game, or hey our capture stuff better suits us playing this game on 360 and capturing it that way tend to rule over what version is shown in coverage of games. That and the fact that the guys at giantbomb aren't caught up in some pc elitist junk requiring them to only play games on pc. They cover plenty of games for all platforms, on all platforms, you should start loving games for games and not for what you play them on.

@Sweetz: Yup, PC+360pad seems to be a great way to play a majority of modern games these days. I kinda dig it most of the time as I never thought the keyboard was amazing for games, that and some games can really destroy your wrist and finger with a mouse after a while.

I don't get this save system. If you can save anytime you want, why not save before you shoot until you hit target? Or similar scenarios?

@ucankurbaga: There's an Iron Man option which sets saves to auto and you can't do that. It's kind of a difficulty select in a way above and beyond the standard difficulty settings.

@ucankurbaga said:

I don't get this save system. If you can save anytime you want, why not save before you shoot until you hit target? Or similar scenarios?

Ryan obviously isn't playing on Ironman mode, which prevents you from saving. You could play the game on normal and with Ironman mode off... and do what you said. I can't imagine it would be a very fun way to play though. Not to me at least.

@ucankurbaga said:

I don't get this save system. If you can save anytime you want, why not save before you shoot until you hit target? Or similar scenarios?

Some people do that, which is why they put in ironman mode. Save scumming is prevented then, you can only save on exit. If your guys die, then tough titties "That's XCOM baby".

Ironman is the only way to play a game of this type.

There's even an achievement for finishing the game on Classic difficulty with ironman mode turned on. That's going to be a rare achievement for a very, very long time.

@CaLe said:

@ucankurbaga said:

I don't get this save system. If you can save anytime you want, why not save before you shoot until you hit target? Or similar scenarios?

Ryan obviously isn't playing on Ironman mode, which prevents you from saving. You could play the game on normal and with Ironman mode off... and do what you said. I can't imagine it would be a very fun way to play though. Not to me at least.

Ok, looks like I have to go with Ironman mode, I wan't to be punished for my mistakes, thats the whole idea of this game...

Wow i really dislike the idea that you cannot sneak up on the aliens and that they get a free turn once you see them. Is that a true statement that Ryan gives? I almost do not believe it because that seems like such a lame design choice.

@Milkman said:

Holy shit, the tension when Ryan knew there were more aliens but had no idea where they were was unbearable. Terrifying.

The music really made that part. I need this game.

I really don't like dice rolls. Missing easy targets, such as what happens at 23:08, will drive me fucking nuts. I'm not sure if this game is for me. =/

@VooDooPC said:

@Crab_Slayer said:

It's time to shoot some aliens!

Edit: Stupid quest finally over. I can't wait for the game to unlock on Steam. I even took Tuesday off from work so I can get a full day of saving the Earf.

I think if you take time off of work to play video games you have issues.

People take time off work to go to football games, so why is it "issues" when somebody takes time off work, that they are entitled to, to enjoy a game within their hobby?

@Ares42 said:

@Blimble: Went and tested it in the demo, and even if I moved into a position with no cover almost right next to an alien when I discovered them for the first time with my first action they would scatter into cover instead of blast my guy down. So it doesn't really matter. Seems like my first theory was true though, they can't fire weapons during that initial half-move.

This is true, they can only move but not fire. I don't think I am a fan of how this works, I would've loved to be able to "stumble" onto a couple of aliens and catch them unaware.

Also, I read somewhere that the benefit of capturing aliens is that you get to keep their weapons, when you kill them the weapons explode. So it's useful to try and capture as many aliens as you can. I am wondering if you can use the assault guys ability to dash and still capture. That would be a golden combination.

Can't wait till this game comes out, I hope steam is correct and I get to play it this evening at 9pm (PST).

@ArchTeckGuru8 said:

Wow i really dislike the idea that you cannot sneak up on the aliens and that they get a free turn once you see them. Is that a true statement that Ryan gives? I almost do not believe it because that seems like such a lame design choice.

We've already discussed a bit in this thread, they don't actually get a free turn. It's more of an elaborate introduction that puts them into cover positions. If they didn't do that the game would just become all about getting the a good first contact approach, since cover is so important in this game.

However, as I've said it should still be possible to utilize tactics that allow you to sneak up on them if you don't do what everyone seem to be doing and go straight into a confrontation when they spot aliens. If you'd rather retreat and use line of sight and distances correctly it should be completely possible to get into good positions and catch them off-guard. It's just not the "I saw you first, so you're dead" style that could easily make it a one-note experience.

This looks fantastic! You guys totally just sold a copy of this game haha

Well , still thinking of picking this up on GmG but not sure yet , grabbing the demo now to check it out before hand.

This sold me on the game, I miss turn-based strategy games. Haven't played one in quite a while.

I am wondering if you can use the assault guys ability to dash and still capture. That would be a golden combination.

GAME. SOLD!

I thought they ruined this game by making it a third person shooter or something. It sure looks like a strategy game to me.

Is there a reason to not overwatch on every turn?

@Devil240Z: This is a different xcom than you think....

idk why but ever since that Ex QL I've been really into this

This was goddamn entertaining. They need to do more XCom videos, I will watch every single one of them. I say this because I don't think that I'd be any good at actually playing XCom.

Hiding behind the power source is ALWAYS the best idea.

You can actually see weapon stats in engineering: in the lower left there is a details button (press LS on the xbox).

Looks like a lot of fun to play, but not a lot of fun to watch someone else play.

It's amazing how Ryan first says lead with rookies, then IMMEDIATELY starts leading with one of his vets.

C'mon Ryan.

@alkaseltzerplus said:

Is there a reason to not overwatch on every turn?

Can't shoot/dash.

I can't freakin' wait!! looks awesome!!

this should work out wonderfully i have to close tonight, then i have tomorrow off. so if all goes right, when i get home the game should be unlocked and i can enjoy it for the rest of the evening!

@KlUMZeE: I'm hoping at the very least they'll do the original as some sort of premium thing.

@gladspooky said:

@Cataphract1014 said:

I was hoping they would show what the PC KB/M controls looked like.

They look like crap.

Yeah, there is a demo out you can check out. They aren't good, I'm going to be playing with a 360 controller.

I was a little disappointed that gamefly sent me this instead of Dishonored, but not no mo!!

Goddamn this game looks intense and fun.

I want this so bad! I don't even want to watch the QL it would be like wathcing a mean kid eating ice cream in front of you.

Seems like hella easy XCom, with stupid aliens sitting still or runnin out in the open to their deaths.

edit: to elaborate, the AI doesn't seem to try to kill the XCom team, but instead tries to lose while entertaining the player. A huge thing, that could potentially break this game for me. I hope the advanced difficulty levels address this properly.

Seeing this played on XBOX breaks my heart.

@Devil240Z said:

I thought they ruined this game by making it a third person shooter or something. It sure looks like a strategy game to me.

That's the other XCOM game being developed by 2K.

@k4el said:

Seeing this played on XBOX breaks my heart.

Why?

Seeing it played on a system I have makes me happy. Besides, I played the original X-Com to death on PS1.

Really like the look of this game but my university course is really intensive this year. Will get this at Christmas break when I have the time for it

Second half of the video sold me, also i wasn't aware this wasn't a pc only game.

Wish they showed the multiplayer.