Why I am finally giving up on this game

[Star Paladin]

After playing every XCOM ever made (including eventually all on Ironman settings), and waiting excitedly for a year for PP, I give up. After trying 4 games on the normal setting, and out of frustration trying a 5th try on Rookie, even that level broke my gaming spirit.

The aimed shots and economics I like very much. The diplomacy with the 3 Dr Phil guests always arguing I disliked (ummm, guys, could you maybe fight AFTER we save the world). But the RNG with battle, difficulty, and map generation were just too hair pulling.

In my last mission, I was to rescue a scientist. No matter what cover I took on the first turn, invisible snipers cut me down left and right. Dashing (with units that could dash) helped a little, but those that could not dash still got slaughtered.

Then I tried 3 times rushing the building they were in (the 3rd story yet), but the ONLY way up to the 3rd story was a ladder on the very back of the building on the other end of the map. There were no stares in the entire building at all.

I tried jumping up with my heavy, but no matter where he landed he was cut down even behind cover. Overwatch, even with my high perception sniper, was useless because no matter where I placed him, they could see and shoot him, but even close range he could never see them.

On my dozenth attempt, I decided to just skirt the edge of the map, trying to make it to the exit (on the OPPOSITE side). I lost one guy, but decided to just take the loss and keep moving. Snipers (I could never see the entire trek), shot at my team the entire time. As we got half way to the exit, a vehicle appeared and began cutting down what was left of my team to ribbons.

I give up.

Oh, and on a side note, unlike all the XCOMs, I had the same emotional attachment to my base and units, as I do to my board and pawns in a chess game. None. In fact, I had 100% more emotional attachment to the 3 NPC groups than my own.

[Dirheim]

This game has a so broken difficulty level than even the rookie level is too hard, the AI has too many advantages, and the enemy evolves too fast if you try to play slowly, as a strategy game should be played, but the developers thought this was some kind of RTS where the player must be rushing everywhere

[Oxiras]

A scarab is a good addition to the team when the objective is to escort someone to extraction. Load everyone up and off you go!

Sorry to hear that the game isn't for you, maybe one day they will make easy easier.. IMO easy should be a difficulty where you could complete a campaign without any experience to tactical games (more room for errors, good hints/tips if making a mistake and how to recover after one etc..).

[Star Paladin]

Thank you for your suggestions Ox. I don't need "easier", I need "saner". The balance, progression and RNG are just too crazy. I also watched untold hours on YouTube to try and learn any strategies and tips to help me, but those do nothing when the computer rolls multiple "1s" on every aspect of a map or mission.

As I wrote, I have decades of experience with "recovering from mistakes" and learning from lost missions. I have done Darkest Dungeon and other simular games too without quitting.

[Delukse]

Combat in this game requires learning AI behavior, general mechanics but also *knowing* capabilities of different enemies in order to prioritize targets. The enemy info screen has proved invaluable in this sense. Some battles there's also a stealth factor that is hard to control but basically means moving before engaging, especially if you're out in the open. Just like in XCOM, full cover doesn't mean much if you're being targeted-- it's always better to use terrain so that you can get completely out of enemy LOS (1xfull cover both sides) by the end of your turn. Unlike (most of) XCOM you can move+shoot+move with most classes. Different enemy factions require different offensive/defensive approaches. Sometimes you end up in battles that are just impossible to win with your current squad so save often.

This isn't to say the game doesn't have problems. Overall plot is not very captivating because there are so much tactics and management between "cinematics". There's also no way to recap previous cutscenes, I'm kind of out in the dark about what happened and what was said earlier. For 90% of my game I've not been sure what technology or quest is crucial for saving of the world. This is kind of frustrating since I'm dealing with timer that may render my game unwinnable without me knowing I should start over. I still haven't finished my first game so I've crazy hours behind and (probably) ahead. But by now the battles with my A and B squad have become relatively easier. On one hand I don't want spoilers but on the other I'm not sure I can still win the game. We'll see. Overall I think it's a solid game with solid turn based battlescape, but it's just very ambitious on the wastelandey, sandboxey geoscape tip and kind of absurd diplomacy aspect. There could perhaps be more side quests that reduce animosity between factions. But yeah, haven't finished the game yet so I can't tell.

[Oxiras]

Originally posted by Star Paladin:

I also watched untold hours on YouTube to try and learn any strategies and tips to help me, but those do nothing when the computer rolls multiple "1s" on every aspect of a map or mission.

When in mission and you feel RNG decided to be a jerk with enemy placement and types there's an option to restart the map all fresh. Nice to use during those times when all the civilians spawn next to the enemy.

Later in the game it's easier to even out the "1s'" by loading up your squad to face pretty much anything the game can throw at you.

[Dreepa]

How I'd like to see full zommed out screenshot of the map

[Jestimac]

@ Star Paladin.
I understand how you feel. There are a lot of games which do help the player to identify quite early what to do in order to complete successfully the campaign.
In PP, one has to make a lot of choices, almost permanently, without being sure of the real impact of the results of these choices. It is a little bit like real life in fact.
This is surprisingly what I like. I guess I am naturally curious, and I'm always trying to understand what I could do wrong and why I could be wrong. Of course, I sometimes understand it a little bit too late. Generally, my soldiers bear the bruises caused by my errors. I agree it is sometimes frustrating, but it is, surprisingly, a good way to get a feel for real life. Nothing is set clearly, and many of the choices one makes are not optimal, and unfortunately, one often discovers it too late.
So the answer is probably to prepare as much as you can, because there is only one thing that you can confidently expect : that you were not expecting everything that will happens, and therefore that you'll have to improvise.
Improvisation is the key to good music and it is quite fun to see that it has a place in a game too.
Rgds

[SpiteAndMalice]

Originally posted by Oxiras:

When in mission and you feel RNG decided to be a jerk with enemy placement and types there's an option to restart the map all fresh. Nice to use during those times when all the civilians spawn next to the enemy.

It's a helpful suggestion, but you really shouldn't need to do this.

I'm all for learning a game, and adapting your strategies to cope with what the AI throws at you, but f the game requires the player to reload a map whenever the initial map loads up unfair conditions, that's a really strong sign that the procedural generation isn't work as it should be in the first place.

[Mhblis]

I have to admit ive had a few "how did they get there" moments. Ive had tritons walk around the very corner i just came from or started the mission looking at. My last haven defence had me, the civs and 1 of the 3 defenders all spawn in an open box. And surrounding me on 3 sides was the Pandorans. The map was tiny i could actually double dash single move across its entire length. It was a a slaughter. Specially when the Chiron started raaining firewyrms.

Syndrion snipers are a nightmare early game. They out range you and the rifle is more accurate. And because of how their map tiles are you oftennget very little cover to their high building invisible snipeing.

The reverse of that is Anu. Their maps are so open 2 snipers pretty much dominate them.


But even then i wouldnt say its turned me.off the game entirely.

[Jason]

I found the game quite a good pace coming back to the year one edition and I made some big mistakes on my last play through. Having said that the only frustration i found was right at the end when the pandorans were using paralysis weapons.

I like the fact they have mostly done away with the 'do this thing in 3 turns' or lose which makes you rush the level.

[My Killer Shack]

im confused, im having an easy time on hero. Its been a breeze

[Remove skull merchant]

Originally posted by My Killer Shack:

im confused, im having an easy time on hero. Its been a breeze

Dont judge or gatekeep others on whether they like what in the game or not. PP does not need a toxic community.

[My Killer Shack]

Originally posted by Dr. Albert Schweitzer:

Originally posted by My Killer Shack:

im confused, im having an easy time on hero. Its been a breeze

Dont judge or gatekeep others on whether they like what in the game or not. PP does not need a toxic community.

in what world is this toxic? I didnt go out of my way to attack him I just stated that my experience differed from his. so kindly GTFO

[My Killer Shack]

Originally posted by Dirheim:

This game has a so broken difficulty level than even the rookie level is too hard, the AI has too many advantages, and the enemy evolves too fast if you try to play slowly, as a strategy game should be played, but the developers thought this was some kind of RTS where the player must be rushing everywhere

you need to define playing slowly.

Ive seen people rush and win rediculously fast, I on the other hand take it slow and enjoy the game. im reaching into the third month with 44% population left and am doing just fine.

If your definition of slow is not getting rep with the factions then yea... you cant do that, but if you are going slow as in not completing the game and enjoying doing combat missions then its perfectly possible to go slow.

[The Pollie]

Bye.