XCOM: Enemy Unknown worth it?

[Vinnie]

I love strategy games, I find guerilla warfare intresting, and so I found the XCOM series, I've heard of it before but never looked into it.
XCOM 2 is on sale and I bought it seeing alot of gameplays which I then thought XCOM might be the love of my life. But also I was just wondering, is Enemy Unknown worth getting? Like should I know the lore of the game first or anything? In your opinion, which is better? Either way I will still play XCOM 2.

[TheOrangeBox]

I haven't played XCOOM 2 however, XCOM EU will definitely add more richness with the expansion pack Enemy Within (EW). This will also give you the option to install the Long War mod later on for more hardcore gameplay.

As to which is better? Maybe give it a go with XCOM 2 and if you want more from the series you always have the option to play XCOM EU/EW

[asd]

Originally posted by TheOrangeBox:

Maybe give it a go with XCOM 2 and if you want more from the series you always have the option to play XCOM EU/EW

I think it should be the other way around. EW does many things better than X2. In turn, X2 does a lot of things better than EW. But X2 didn't get an expansion like Enemy Within yet, so I'd say getting the Enemy Unknown complete pack is the best idea. It's also cheaper than X2. If you like EW, then X2 is just more of the same, but with better graphics, soldier customization, better soldier classes and procedural maps, so X2 doesn't really add anything to the game that will make you enjoy it if you didn't enjoy Enemy Unknown.

[Mumblez]

I would honestly check out xcom ufo defense, if you are not a graphics ♥♥♥♥♥.

Don't get me wrong : I have 100 hours in xcom EW, and it was fun, BUT, the mechanics in X-COM ufo defense, the original were SIGNIFICANTLY more robust, which makes for an excellent tactical game

Quite simply, as much as i like xcom EU-EW, it was watered down IMMENSELY from the original. What do I mean? well, heres some examples.

-LIne of sight in X-COM was directional, in XCOM, it was 360. Sneaking behind enemies couldn't really be done, cause they had eyes in the back of their heads
-In X-COM, anyone can use any item, but people with high strength are better with rockets, LMGS, ect, while high aim stats are better candidates for the sniper. In XCOM, classes are cookie cutter. Either you have a sniper, shotgun, chaingun, or rifle.. Theres 0 flexibility
-Stats are more complex in X-COM. You have time unitss (speed, pretty much), bravery, accuracy, throwing accuracy, strength, and reactions, and health. All of which have a use, but not everyone will be even. All can be raised some, though. In XCOM, its will, accuracy, and health.
-In X-com, inventory is editable on the fly, and you can even do stuff like tossing people extra magazines, leaving ammo at the dropship and going back for it, or even dragging an unconcious comrad to cover. In XCOM, you cannot pick up, drop, nor share equipment.
-In X-com guns and weapons have elements, and kinetic, laser, plasma, acid, fire, and explosives all perform a little different on certain targets. Some may be weak to laser, strong to kinetic, or strong to plasma, but weak to explosives. Beyond that damage is calculates on angle, back shots get less of an armor bonus for more units, and side shots are more damaging than front shots. In XCOM, any shot, from anywhere is the same, the only difference is crits for being "out of cover"
-In X-com, combat is very complex - There is how much tme units you are using to worry about (time units must be left over to try reaction fire, and THIS is tied to reactions stat) friendly fire is something to worry about, and archetecture, whole often a serious problem, can be damaged with gunfire, explosives, fire, which theres a lot to destroy, more than in XCOM. You can also have someone passing in and out from gunshot wounds / smoke inhillation, or an enemy panicking so bad they literally put the gun to their head and kill themselves

All in all, if you can stand the old graphics, and management (you have to buy ammo for guns, and make sure you load it onto the ship and then onto the people...the best team in the world is useless without the right gear) its a damn fun time.. And the variance of combat is interesting.

Its even better with openxcom, and a few mods, Such as final mod pack... In that I was facing cyberdisc terrorizers on the first month, but was able to survive with careful use of high explosive satchels which, while they destroyed an entire city block, and one of my marines, and killed several civilians, it turned the tide on an otherwise unwinnable war.

If you are into deeper tactics, I honestly recommend openxcom with ufo defense

[asd]

Originally posted by Rent a mop:

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I'm not a "graphics ♥♥♥♥♥" but I didn't find UFO Defense all that fun... the depth of the game is amazing, but it does a terrible job at explaining any of it. Looking at an interface with a trillion buttons and trying each one by one to see what they do is simply not fun. I'd still recommend EW because it manages to be a fun game without all that stuff & micromanagement. But if OP wants something with more depth, then Xenonauts might be worth checking out, or the Long War mod for EW, or even X-COM Apocalypse. I found Apocalypse a lot more playable than UFO Defense.

[Mumblez]

Originally posted by Tabus:

Originally posted by Rent a mop:

-

I'm not a "graphics ♥♥♥♥♥" but I didn't find UFO Defense all that fun... the depth of the game is amazing, but it does a terrible job at explaining any of it. Looking at an interface with a trillion buttons and trying each one by one to see what they do is simply not fun. I'd still recommend EW because it manages to be a fun game without all that stuff & micromanagement. But if OP wants something with more depth, then Xenonauts might be worth checking out, or the Long War mod for EW, or even X-COM Apocalypse. I found Apocalypse a lot more playable than UFO Defense.

I agree with this, believe me...There is a wall of a learning curve, which is kinda aggitating, like how to track AP, line of sight, obstacles, ect... But for those who can get past it, its worth it.

It also helps to read the manual, the buttons are explained there.

Its fine if you don't like it, you can like what I don't I'm just putting it out there that if you want a much more robust, complex variant, which willl unfortunately require a bit more learning, this is a very good option.

Also, openxcom really elliviates many of the issues.

[happy]

as always:

XcomEU<Xcom2<XcomEW<longwar mod.

so now you know where you stand.

EW or bust, then longwar.

EU would still be fun for you but would come short.

EDIT, in case you don't know, EW(enemy within) is a major expansion for EU that adds 40 new maps and a lot of goodies and a few mechanics.
and it fixes a crapton of bugs.

[Vinnie]

Thanks for your opinion everyone, I guess it wouldn't hurt checking EU. Too bad I ran out of money, I would of bought EU as today is the last day, lol. Also, I guess it wouldn't check other XCOM games, which I didn't know existed.

[asd]

Originally posted by Rent a mop:

I agree with this, believe me...There is a wall of a learning curve, which is kinda aggitating, like how to track AP, line of sight, obstacles, ect... But for those who can get past it, its worth it.

It also helps to read the manual, the buttons are explained there.

Its fine if you don't like it, you can like what I don't I'm just putting it out there that if you want a much more robust, complex variant, which willl unfortunately require a bit more learning, this is a very good option.

Also, openxcom really elliviates many of the issues.

Well, I just shared my experience with that game as someone who was born too late to play the original ones when they were considered modern games :D
Xenonauts is a safer purchase for someone who didn't play any of the original X-COM games. Not that 5€ is that much for a game, just thought I mention another game that is worth checking out. Xenonauts manages to offer a similar experience to the original games, but with a lot less micromanagement. It's not perfect, but we'll see if the sequel will improve on the shortcomings of the game...
And X-COM Apocalypse is sort of easy to get into as well. Although these types of games play much more slowly than EW, so one should keep in mnd that when buying these types of games.

I'd say that the Long War mod is the perfect balance between the two. It's fun to play, but has a lot more depth, and is a lot more challanging than vanilla XCOM. It's a shame that they couldn't improve on things like the 2 action point system, 360 degree vision, the heavily flawed pod system (which punishes you for flanking) and only one base and one skyranger, but it's still a great mod that is both fun and difficult at the same time.

[Mumblez]

I looked into xenonaughts and it was also simplified...call me strange but I kinda like how standing or crouching is a thing you can do, which uses time uinits in X-com ufo defense, which steadies aim, lowers profile, and slightly lowers your aiming point (crounching can let you shoot through a gap in a roof when standing wont work).

Call me strange, but I rather like things being so precise / complex.

[Dranak]

Originally posted by Rent a mop:

I looked into xenonaughts and it was also simplified...call me strange but I kinda like how standing or crouching is a thing you can do, which uses time uinits in X-com ufo defense, which steadies aim, lowers profile, and slightly lowers your aiming point (crounching can let you shoot through a gap in a roof when standing wont work).

Call me strange, but I rather like things being so precise / complex.

That is how crouching works in Xenonauts.

[Windows xD]

Originally posted by Rent a mop:

Originally posted by Tabus:

I'm not a "graphics ♥♥♥♥♥" but I didn't find UFO Defense all that fun... the depth of the game is amazing, but it does a terrible job at explaining any of it. Looking at an interface with a trillion buttons and trying each one by one to see what they do is simply not fun. I'd still recommend EW because it manages to be a fun game without all that stuff & micromanagement. But if OP wants something with more depth, then Xenonauts might be worth checking out, or the Long War mod for EW, or even X-COM Apocalypse. I found Apocalypse a lot more playable than UFO Defense.

I agree with this, believe me...There is a wall of a learning curve, which is kinda aggitating, like how to track AP, line of sight, obstacles, ect... But for those who can get past it, its worth it.

It also helps to read the manual, the buttons are explained there.

Its fine if you don't like it, you can like what I don't I'm just putting it out there that if you want a much more robust, complex variant, which willl unfortunately require a bit more learning, this is a very good option.

Also, openxcom really elliviates many of the issues.

There are a lot of great, awesome games out there in the past that didn't have the amazing visuals of today, but that doesn't mean good graphics are a terrible thing. I'd rather have a game with great gameplay and amazing graphics than an open world game that relies on 8-bit if it was released in 2017.

Now if you wanted to make a game with a different concept like Agario, graphics don't really matter then, but I'd rather have something more immersive and realistic today mixed with great gameplay if we're talking about games on a more grand scale.

[Mumblez]

Originally posted by Dranak:

Originally posted by Rent a mop:

I looked into xenonaughts and it was also simplified...call me strange but I kinda like how standing or crouching is a thing you can do, which uses time uinits in X-com ufo defense, which steadies aim, lowers profile, and slightly lowers your aiming point (crounching can let you shoot through a gap in a roof when standing wont work).

Call me strange, but I rather like things being so precise / complex.

That is how crouching works in Xenonauts.

I heard crouching was automatic o.o I assumed it was like xcom 2012 where it happens behind cover immediately with no costs. My bad.

[Maximilian17]

Originally posted by happy:

as always:

XcomEU<Xcom2<XcomEW<longwar mod.

so now you know where you stand.

EW or bust, then longwar.

EU would still be fun for you but would come short.

EDIT, in case you don't know, EW(enemy within) is a major expansion for EU that adds 40 new maps and a lot of goodies and a few mechanics.
and it fixes a crapton of bugs.

Did you personally find that EW is better than Xcom2?
I have played xcom EU / EW / Long war for more than 500 hours. Not thinking of buying xcom 2 as yet :p