X-COM: UFO Defense?

[Sexy Beast]

I really have no experience with the X-Com series and sort of want to get better acquainted...and at $5 on steam, it seems like a good price to do that.

Basically all I know is that X-Com is widely considered one if the best PC games ever and that it's incredibly complex.

So...basically what I'm asking: Is it worth the $5.

 

[DVS_Mind]

Absolutely. If you like in-depth turn based strategy based around global diplomacy and alien invasions then you simply cannot go wrong. Just keep in mind that the graphics are clearly dated and the sounds won't be the quality that you're used to in today's games. I played X-COM when it was first released (I know, I'm old) and STILL find myself wanting to play it today and occasionally do.


In short, it's well worth the $5 price tag.



PS- If you're looking to dive further into the series "Terror From the Deep" wasn't quite as good, but still fun and the third one "Apocalypse" was very good.

 

[krenshala]

In my opinion, XCOM: Enemy Unknown (released as XCOM: UFO Defense in the US) is one of the few DOS era games still worth the original $30 price tag. It has endless playability, provides a real tactical and strategic challenge, and is just plain addictive fun.

Sure, the graphics are dated, and some of the limitations (e.g., the 15 character limit for the names of bases and soldiers) betrays its resource limited origin, however, the strategic game play is very intuitive and the tactical battles require the actual use of tactics to survive with the most number of troops at the end (and even then you sometimes get slaughtered anyway, making for some bitter-sweet victories at times).

 

[Sexy Beast]

Bought it about an hour ago. It's pretty fun so far...Though I'm pretty certain that now I need to hunt down a game manual to play it correctly.


It's well worth the $5 I paid.

 

[krenshala]

Important things:

* You want to make sure to have Long Range Radar in your base(s).
* You can give soldiers weapons to take advantage of their skills (e.g., guys with high Stamina and Strength, and at least decent Firing Accuracy make the best heavy gunners).
* Use proper squad level tactics to provide cover as you advance (and always check your corners).
* Always be researching, as completing research of alien items allows you to use them!
* Laser Pistols are a nice easy way to make money (build for $8k, sell for $23k, iirc), and they are a huge improvement over "standard" rifles.
* Wounded soldiers can be sold, however, they also have most likely made improvements in their stats. The Soldiers screen gives you the details on that.
* Use the Graphs option in the GeoScape to see where alien activity is happening so you can send interceptors on patrols in that area to find ships faster.

There are some other things, but most of them are easily discovered through playing the game. Personally, I add some letter codes to the soldiers names so I know what skills they are best at without having to check their stats all the time.

Also, Google for "The Legend of Patrick Stewart" for a nice example of how the games can play out.