Because no one uses the Other Games Forum: X-COM

[regexcellent]

Man, I save every 2 or 3 turns. I guess that's why I'm finding easy too easy.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Would there be a point to getting this on a console, or do I really need to boot into Windows for a mouse interface?

[regexcellent]

I don't see how a mouse and keyboard would be better than a controller as long as the game isn't simplified on consoles.

[Asher]

Would there be a point to getting this on a console, or do I really need to boot into Windows for a mouse interface?

Reviews I've read specifically said a controller is the way to play this game (the reviewer used an Xbox controller on Windows).

[Wiglaf]

That is true, b/c it is

1) easier to cycle through soldiers with the shoulder buttons than the tab key
2) easier to cycle through levels of elevations with the d-pad than the wheel mouse (seriously, who thought using the wheel mouse for anything but zoom made sense?)
3) easier to swoop through the map because the mouse has too much inertia
4) easier to confirm actions (fire, hunker down, etc) with A button than clicking "OK" on the PC

In short Firaxis lied about devoting a competent team specifically to the PC UI.

[snoopy369]

Sounds like a gaming mouse/keyboard might be slightly better, as long as they allow reasonable hotkeys in PC-world, but not regular mouse/keyboard?

[regexcellent]

It's a turn-based tactical game, and it's one where you spend more time thinking about your moves than making them, to boot. So slight interface annoyances, especially ones that are easily corrected by rebinding keys to your preferences, don't matter so much.

[Wiglaf]

It's actually surprising how bad the PC UI considering this is a turn based game. Hotkeys even change on you mid-mission. It's absurd.

Overall, really enjoying the game, though there's a little too much RNG in there.

[MRT144]

That is true, b/c it is

1) easier to cycle through soldiers with the shoulder buttons than the tab key
2) easier to cycle through levels of elevations with the d-pad than the wheel mouse (seriously, who thought using the wheel mouse for anything but zoom made sense?)
3) easier to swoop through the map because the mouse has too much inertia
4) easier to confirm actions (fire, hunker down, etc) with A button than clicking "OK" on the PC

In short Firaxis lied about devoting a competent team specifically to the PC UI.

I use the KB to do almost everything. It cuts down on some of the jankiness.

[Wiglaf]

I will be fascinated to see if multiplayer leaderboards will reveal consistently good players. Will be a good sign of the game's tactical depth.

[C0ckney]

i loved the original, completed it twice.

is the new game the same as the old one, but with better graphics or are there significant changes?

[regexcellent]

Okay so I upped the difficulty to normal. Played for a couple hours like that. I haven't lost anyone since my first three missions; I've lost a total of four overall, including the three you lose at the start of the game.

My current squad is one sniper, one heavy, two assaults, two supports. I have the assaults and supports each on opposite loadouts to take advantage of all of the abilities. My defensive assault class has a rifle while the offensive assault has a shotgun. Careful use of overwatch, the heavy's suppression, and the sniper's ability to shoot anything that other people can see means that I can basically draw them out with the assaults and then hammer them from the back row. If anyone gets poisoned or seriously hurt, the medic support heals him, and if the assaults get caught in the open the buffs support un****s them with a smoke grenade. When one of the uber-aliens shows up, I just hammer it with the rocket launcher.

I've done a couple of "very hard" missions and didn't have any trouble with either using this technique.

I haven't actually captured any aliens alive yet. I haven't gotten around to it because I don't really like risking my people.

[Guynemer]

I think I'm going to restart for a couple reasons; not happy with some of the decisions I made in the workshop, and I feel like I need to do Ironman to keep myself honest.

[Main_Brain]

Okay so I upped the difficulty to normal. Played for a couple hours like that. I haven't lost anyone since my first three missions; I've lost a total of four overall, including the three you lose at the start of the game.

I read if you skip the Tutorial you get an Replacement Mission so those Three Starting losses can be avoided.

[kentonio]

Okay so I upped the difficulty to normal.

Play on classic man, it really makes the game feel like the original.