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Chaos Rising is 20 and it's basically an expansion pack.

Retribution is much more of a standalone than CR, and it's 30.

pretre wrote:If they would take the exact same engine, slap new graphics and optimize it for modern computers, throw in a new storyline and new missions, I think they'd make a bajillion dollars.

I would buy it. Heck, I just purchased Master of Orion 2 again just because GoG managed to make it work under Windows 7. It doesn't work perfectly and is not what I'd wish for, but for me it's still the best 4X game around. Take it and rework the code into making the game run without mouse speed issues, maybe include better resolution graphics and optimize multiplayer, and I'd be willing to pay more than the $6 they sell it for these days. The exact same goes for Enemy Unknown, although a multiplayer mode as an added bonus would be icing on the cake.

@Lynata: OMG mouse speed annoys the crap out of me on X-Com. I would definitely pay just for them to sort that out.

I wouldn't, but I euppose my standards are higher and my bank account smaller....

I'd say our standards are merely different, given that it seems difficult to please pretre's or my own when it comes to how these remakes look.

Mind you, I'm not exactly asking for a huge difference in gameplay. But just... the exact same thing but better looking? I can't help but yawn... I understand remakes, but usually remakes at least also try to make the UI more intuitive...

Melissia wrote:Mind you, I'm not exactly asking for a huge difference in gameplay. But just... the exact same thing but better looking? I can't help but yawn... I understand remakes, but usually remakes at least also try to make the UI more intuitive...

I can agree that some tinkering might be good, but going too far would change the entire way the game plays. Example: X-Com: Apoc vs X-Com: UFO. Although I like Apoc, it is very much a different game from the original. If anyone's listening, I could also do with an update to X-Com: Apoc.

I could see a remake of apoc with a better UI and graphics for twenty bucks.

Especially if the vehicle combat was better...

Lynata wrote:Which is where we get to dumbing down the game, as it removes the somewhat difficult yet exciting mini-choice posed by CthululsSpy's scenario.

I think the best solution is having the option to make soldiers (preferably on a case by case basis) automatically reload, as I feel in most situations its a tedious chore that impedes my enjoyment of the game. This isn't "dumbing down" so much as "I don't want to be forced to tell Jimmy who has been blind-firing at cover to put more bullets in his gun."

Lynata wrote:
In fact, why do we even need ammunition when reloads are automatic and don't use points, right? Let's remove that as well. I'm sure there are players out there who don't want to bother with micromanaging their soldiers' inventory.

That's quite the slippery slope you have there.

Lynata wrote:The only reason it was that much was because most actions had to be confirmed, and I prefer this to the alternative of potentially wasting TPs because of a mis-click, as small as the chance might be.

Yet you have no problem with potentially forgetting to put more bullets in Jimmy's gun?

pretre wrote:
If they would take the exact same engine, slap new graphics and optimize it for modern computers, throw in a new storyline and new missions, I think they'd make a bajillion dollars.

I think they would have made what we call a "niche product".

Enemy Unknown is a great game, but its control scheme and lack of control options date it pretty badly.

Indeed. Apocalypse, even as it is, still dates far better than that.

Got some insight on the new game. Not sure if it's valuable, but anyway.

http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2012/01/xcom-enemy-unknown-aj/

I must say it looks very nice. Not the old X-Com not even similar, but a fine looking game.

CthuluIsSpy wrote:Got some insight on the new game. Not sure if it's valuable, but anyway.
http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2012/01/xcom-enemy-unknown-aj/

Hum... Well, I think I'll be giving it a try!
The removal of Time Units is a huge disappointment, and I don't particularly like what looks like a console interface. Still, a welcome change from the standard games thrown out these days. Just begs the question why, again, nobody simply does a copy of the original that runs on contemporary systems. Why the hell does everybody feel they have to change the formula? To make it more "interesting" to today's kids? They won't be interested in a game like that, anyways. Cater to the fans, dammit! And if it's a niche product, it would at least be a niche product that's loved by its community rather than being forgotten in another year. Compare EVE to Aion, for example.

dogma wrote:That's quite the slippery slope you have there.

Which is exactly why I'd avoid setting foot on that path. Having to decide how exactly to spend the turn points was part of the tactical decisions you had to make. Reload? Switch weapon? Just turn and run away? The latter was a viable tactic as well, especially when you were on a corner. Personal preferences, I guess. Me, I enjoyed the micromanaging. And I miss this kind of complexity in today's games. It's as if developers no longer see society being capable of this level of thought, minds having become dull by the constant stream of lensflare action popcorn movies and reality TV. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my fair share of pure action as well. It's just that there is no longer a balance. When looking at computer games, the only thinking stuff nowadays seems to come from indie producers or a very small number of niche developers such as Paradox (can't wait for Crusader Kings 2, btw). The vast majority of large established franchises becomes simpler every year. Just look at Dragon Age: Origins compared to Dragon Age 2. :(

dogma wrote:Yet you have no problem with potentially forgetting to put more bullets in Jimmy's gun?

Nope. There was a very visible counter on the interface where I can look it up any time I want, after all.



How could anyone not notice that number nearing zero?

Amusingly enough, Lynata, you're the one doing the slippery slope argument. The way you're making it is incredibly fallacious...

I suppose that depends on the perspective as well as one's own preferences.

I have seen what the removal of complexity leads to, and I very much agree with the article I linked earlier. And I just happen to like tactical decisions such as having to choose between reloads and other actions. Just like others cannot comprehend why I do this, I cannot comprehend why anyone would want to remove this layer. Aside from, well, gameplay style taste. And we can't argue about that, can we?

The hardest difficulty level is called "Classic mode."

I loved xcom
I didn't love being unable to backpedal any actions, accidentally crouching or something because the interface was wonky sucked

kirsanth wrote:The hardest difficulty level is called "Classic mode."

That'd be fantastic.

This thread got me to bust out X-COM again. God this game is evil and hates me and I love every second of it.

Almost got a sectoid commander only a few missions in, but the SOB died on me.

Nerivant wrote:

kirsanth wrote:The hardest difficulty level is called "Classic mode."

That'd be fantastic.

This thread got me to bust out X-COM again. God this game is evil and hates me and I love every second of it.

Almost got a sectoid commander only a few missions in, but the SOB died on me.

And taht is why you should always build an alien containment facility

Lynata wrote:Which is exactly why I'd avoid setting foot on that path.

The path of remaking the game? A game you don't have to play?

Should we therefore not make games harder, lest they become too hard?

Lynata wrote:
How could anyone not notice that number nearing zero?

I know people that often forget to press "R" in FPS games.

CthuluIsSpy wrote:Got some insight on the new game. Not sure if it's valuable, but anyway.

http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2012/01/xcom-enemy-unknown-aj/

Oh my God! this guy is annoying.

It's good to see new news incoming but I have a little off-topic question for you all.
Could you give me a a little evaluation of all X-COM spin-offs and maybe other games of this particular genre. Would be very grateful.

dogma wrote:

Lynata wrote:Which is exactly why I'd avoid setting foot on that path.

The path of remaking the game? A game you don't have to play?

Should we therefore not make games harder, lest they become too hard?

Lynata wrote:
How could anyone not notice that number nearing zero?

I know people that often forget to press "R" in FPS games.

Why would you press R, when it reloads automatically?
I have yet to play a FPS without auto reload.

When reloading takes time it's best to reload (using R) in the lulls between fights, I rarely ever use auto-reload.

CthuluIsSpy wrote:Why would you press R, when it reloads automatically?
I have yet to play a FPS without auto reload.

Mainly because it's much better to have 30 than 1 bullet in a clip when you go around corner and stumble upon something. Just like in X-COM.

I reload constantly in FPS games. Fire off a few shots, automatically hit reload without thinking. Never without a full clip.

dogma wrote:The path of remaking the game? A game you don't have to play?

The path of dumbing down a game. A game I want to play.

Didn't we have enough games who removed features like that already? Why can't we have something for the people who like micromanaging again?

dogma wrote:I know people that often forget to press "R" in FPS games.

You can't make everyone happy. Unsurprisingly, I'd prefer if a project like X-Com was designed in a way that appeals to people like me. People who loved the original because it was like it was.

In FPS, by what you are suggesting, the ability to hit "R" to reload needs to be removed and replaced by an instant auto-reload when the ammo counter hits 0, as that's the exact same concept carried over. Or better yet, just do away with the concept of clips and magazines entirely and just use a single big number for all the bullets you have left*. There were a lot of FPS already who did it just like that, after all. But is that really more fun for you? Even if it'd be better for those people who "forget to press R"? Can't cater to everyone ...

I think we can only agree to disagree on this subject, as it very much seems to be a matter of preferences.

(*: that reminds me, did anyone see an ammunition count on the screenshot? is it possible they did away with ammo completely?)

corpsesarefun wrote:When reloading takes time it's best to reload (using R) in the lulls between fights, I rarely ever use auto-reload.

Well, yeah between fights I understand, but during a firefight?

But then again, I usually play Duke Nukem 3d and Serious Sam now.

H.B.M.C. wrote:I reload constantly in FPS games. Fire off a few shots, automatically hit reload without thinking. Never without a full clip.

I completely do this all the time. Fire off 3 shots, reload. Fire off 3, reload. Never fun to need those extra shots and not have them.

CthuluIsSpy wrote:But then again, I usually play Duke Nukem 3d and Serious Sam now.

Do you mean Duke Nukem 3D or the new one? Because the original was freaking awesome.

pretre wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:I reload constantly in FPS games. Fire off a few shots, automatically hit reload without thinking. Never without a full clip.

I completely do this all the time. Fire off 3 shots, reload. Fire off 3, reload. Never fun to need those extra shots and not have them.

CthuluIsSpy wrote:But then again, I usually play Duke Nukem 3d and Serious Sam now.

Do you mean Duke Nukem 3D or the new one? Because the original was freaking awesome.

The original mate. DNF is a friggin travesty.

CthuluIsSpy wrote:The original mate. DNF is a friggin travesty.

One of my friends still is butthurt about that game. There was this one day where we were playing networked and I was only using the freeze ray. Every time I fragged him, I would say a line from Mr Freeze in that horrible Batman movie. For hours. "Everybahdy FREEZE" "ICE to meet you" etc

God I loved that game. They should have just updated the graphics on that bad boy and ported it to new systems. I would love to play it on my PS3.