Is it really that bad?

[★ Nova ★]

Lets just pretend this game didnt have to do anything with XCOM and was just stand-alone game, would it be an okay game?

[s3bsta]

Hell yes. It's more than ok, it's a brilliant game. The whining about from my perspective is more to do with XCOM diehards who don't like it's action focus change from turn by turn and/or the timeline change. And that's the point, it's a different perspective.

XCOM does not exclusively mean turn by turn. It's a universe. I luved the early X Files like setting

If you've played Mass Effect, the tactical gameplay is similar.

[Guydodge]

people hate change i for one welcome it.dont want to play the same thing over and over,this is a well made game,great story and solid game play. a must have in my book.

[s3bsta]

Originally posted by Nicholas P. Herrman (Prince):

No it was pretty bad. I only played 5 mins into it and quit. The story looks good though. Commercials looked good for it. One way to get people to buy the game, that whole motivation feeling to buy something.

5 minutes? That says it all.

[Miami Mystery]

Originally posted by Captain Price:

Lets just pretend this game didnt have to do anything with XCOM and was just stand-alone game, would it be an okay game?

I loved the old x-com game, but I looked at the reviews and demos and I knew what I was getting into when I bought this, I like this game because it has a very cool 50's noire theme and the game itself has a good storyline,good cut scenes.
The game itself is pretty easy and I would compare it more to some modern tactical warfare,squad type of games, you have a team that you can direct and it is kind of like mass effect but not as much depth to the gameply,it is a decent 3rd person shooter with emphasis on the storyline.
I enjoyd it but was not looking for it to be anything at all like x-com so you have the right idea, do not look on this as anything like the tactical game that x-com was.

[dBatz]

i do my second playthrough after a year i bought this game. i still hit my head on the table because of the way my squad dies... this game could be great but is so dump, you cant even imagine

as for the question, yes, its an ok game. just ok.

[Lusoka]

It's been pretty okish so far, if you've played Mass Effect 2/3, you'll be preped for bad AI like normal, but you can shove them for the most part. Only thing I've noticed that sucks really bad is after activating an ability, they'll just ignore your orders to stay/move to a location. Really makes it bad too when you actually tell them to go attack something but they'll refuse to move from their spot to get a clear shot of the target. One little switch and it'd be all better Zzzz.

Havn't beaten it yet, stories been fine. You get minor missions that allow you to level people you currently are not using, so no one is really left behind on levels to penalize you. Lots of guns for different play styles.

[Nate]

Cons: Mass Effect ripoff
Pros: Mass Effect ripoff

Aside from XCOM being in the title there's really nothing wrong with this game in my experience. Story's a little hit and miss for me and I don't really get the 1960's retro style(which probably further alienates, no pun intended, the XCOM fanbase). But I'm not playing this game for story or aethetics, or even XCOM for that matter.

To be perfectly honest I'm thoroughly enjoying this game. I paid $5 but I'd go as high as $15. I know that doesn't sound like much but seeing as I live by steam sales I never pay more than $15 or $20 for even top notch games(cause I'm a cheapass) so for me that's a big compliment. If you like squad based tactical strategy shooters like Mass Effect or Rainbow Six Vegas then I'm sure its right up your alley. I actually think they should make more games like that. It's one of my favourite genres. My first play through is on Veteran difficulty which is a challenge, but it forces you to make proper use of your squad, abilities and resources and as such I find the combat immensly satisfying.

Don't play this game like it's XCOM. Play it like it's awesome and you'll have at least as much fun as I'm having. 4/5

[jeffy]

its pretty fun

and the game has long gameplay

[BDK]

I actually love this game. Sure the AI is pretty silly like 99% of the time, but the story is awesome, gameplay is awesome and locations are awesome.

[Spizy Chicken]

Originally posted by Fabrique Nationale Bastilla:

Lets just pretend this game didnt have to do anything with XCOM and was just stand-alone game, would it be an okay game?

I love it! I know NOTHING about Xcom or what it's about. I don't even really care for Sci-Fi genre but I really like this game! 5 hours in now. The classic 50's era style, controls, graphics, game play. Good stuff. I didn't know what to expect and just went into it without any ideas.

It's not as bad as some people make it out to be. I've heard complaints about the team mates and controls but I haven't had any issues at all. In fact, I died before my team did. They do what their told to do and do it well.

You get to select missions from all over the United states. They even have a mission in Oregon to play, (where I'm from).

For, me it's a fun game.

[Trip Fisk]

yes, its pretty bad. but not for many of the reasons stated in this thread.

the criticisms I hear frequently regurgitated (which appear in this thread) blaming the game's faults on x-com die hards who 'don't like action games' or 'ruined the game because they wanted it to be an RTS' aren't just out of touch but complete baloney.

do you have a favorite movie, book, or game series? imagine if somebody decided they wanted to do a remake or reboot of it. You get a look at the preview, teaser, demo, or whatever and its clear its not a reboot or remake at all. Its something completely different. It doesn't stay true to the original source material and its such a far departure that it practically comes across as offensive.

that was the backlash from fans against this game.

It wasn't because it was an FPS, TPS, or action game. Its because the original X-com game, is a game about a privately run militia repelling an alien invasion. The original game footage for X-Com Declassified looked like FBI agents from the 50's fighting post modern art and black blobs. And it looked f-ing ridiculous. In all honestly, the developers could have created the game as originally intended without vitriolic harassment and interference had they chosen not to call the game X-com. That's it.

Its kinda clear the game was far along in development before it went into development hell. And this wasn't because of the fan backlash. It is well known this game was plagued with development issues. But because the fanbase was so noisy and upset, they became the scapegoats for the game's slow development none the less.

So the result is Xcom declassified has a bit of an identity crsis. It has its own unique alien race, story, and different threat (they're turning humans into emo zombies I guess), and it has some of the original aliens from the old X-com shoehorned in which have little to no integration into the story. The sectoids and others are merely there to appease old fans.

The game itself is serviceable tho. Its playable. The controls are decent. But you can see points at which the design is slap-dash, weak, or cookie-cutter. Some bits appear unfinished and used as is. And then you get near the end where both the game and story fall apart, and the final few missions feel confused and rushed just to drive straight to a conclusion.

Honestly, the game feels like a generic Gears of War wanna-be with a gimmick where you can freeze time and dictate to your AI allies where to go and what magic powers to use. Its interesting. It kinda works and kinda doesn't. Unfortunately there's nothing that makes the game stand out. Its very forgettable imho.

edit: playing through again, the game is painfully paint by the numbers third person shooter. enter a shooting gallery, shoot the targets, move to next gallery, lather, rinse, repeat.

[Rocket]

idk theres something about it that doesnt make me wanna come back to it. for one it freezes quite regularly, and then i guess i just dont like the story that much. gameplay's fine by any standard.

[Ohio's_Last_Rockstar]

Originally posted by Guydodge:

people hate change i for one welcome it.dont want to play the same thing over and over,this is a well made game,great story and solid game play. a must have in my book.

/\ /\ What this person said. /\ /\

[thrice00]

Originally posted by Ohio's_Last_Rockstar:

Originally posted by Guydodge:

people hate change i for one welcome it.dont want to play the same thing over and over,this is a well made game,great story and solid game play. a must have in my book.

/\ /\ What this person said. /\ /\

+2

Never understood the hate, nice story, good lenght, ai not that bad..

[Bob]

A really nice game , XCOM or not , something a bit different , reasonably challenging , especially near the end , you really need to have your tactics sorted by then.