X-Com: Enemy Unknown Ironman Challenge [On Again For 2012]
- Thread starter archnemesis
- Start date
archnemesis
Member
The X-Com Complete Pack is still 75% off on GamersGate ($3.74), in case you don't find anyone to trade with.
I've never used GG. I've read it's good, but if somebody can trade it through Steam it would be preferable to me.
Thanks anyway.
frontieruk
Member
Well played my first mission, it wasn't a total disaster, wasn't great either lol
Alright, here we go...
Prologue: Revelation
Excerpt from the first X-Com press conference, broadcast live 7 hours ago:
"Today we are ready to reveal the biggest news in human history: We are not alone in the universe, but unfortunately they are hostile. Therefore, on January 1st 1999, 'The Extraterrestrial Combat unit' or 'X-Com' was founded to counter and combat this alien menace."
And just like that, the biggest secret in human history is out. Of course, it's not the whole story, but it'll do. I had hoped to keep this quiet, but some times, circumstances force your hand. And right now, we have our backs to the wall, but then again, we're getting used to that. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start with the beginning, then.
X-Com actually existed before 1999, or rather, many nations each had their own Extraterrestrial Combat Units, notably the Japanese had, pardon my pronunciation, their "Kiryu-Kai" unit, which became the prototype for the current X-Com. However, UFOs don't stick to borders, but national militaries usually do. It was the Euros who came up with the idea of making an International X-Com. Figures, really, they've learned the hard way that there is strength in unity. The idea was sound, though, a cabal of nations would fund this organization which would answer only to them, but be granted nearly full autonomy in dealing with alien incursions.
This is where I came into the picture.
Who I am or what I did before X-Com isn't important now, but I am the Global Commander of X-Com, you can call me McNum. It's a codename, obviously, and everyone here has one. Even me. Our real names are perhaps the second best kept secret in X-Com, other than the existence of aliens. Oh, make that the best kept secret now.
The January 1st date, however, is the day that the Vanguard Facility became operational.
(Notes: This is the XComUtil defensive starting base. Same rooms as the standard base, but re-arranged.)
Although "operational" is a relative word here. What we had was a Cold War relic, hidden some distance west of Budapest. The Hungarians donated this base to us as a one time offering, and from here, X-Com had its humble beginnings.
(Notes: I'm playing on Beginner and while I'm not doing a pure Ironman, I'm not reloading every time someone gets killed. I am, however, going to reload if I hit a very crippling setback, like the loss of Vanguard base, or a complete wipe of soldiers. The idea is to save once per week and use that as my checkpoint. Or after major victories. But once it's posted here, it's canon. No taking back anything in the thread.
I'll probably ask for advice at a few points, too. I'm not an X-Com expert, after all.
Also, feel free to comment on the story parts, I know exactly when this is taking place, let's just hope I make it that far. Writing flashback style when you haven't even begun the game is dangerous. Good, it wouldn't be X-Com if it was safe.)
Prologue: Revelation
Excerpt from the first X-Com press conference, broadcast live 7 hours ago:
"Today we are ready to reveal the biggest news in human history: We are not alone in the universe, but unfortunately they are hostile. Therefore, on January 1st 1999, 'The Extraterrestrial Combat unit' or 'X-Com' was founded to counter and combat this alien menace."
And just like that, the biggest secret in human history is out. Of course, it's not the whole story, but it'll do. I had hoped to keep this quiet, but some times, circumstances force your hand. And right now, we have our backs to the wall, but then again, we're getting used to that. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start with the beginning, then.
X-Com actually existed before 1999, or rather, many nations each had their own Extraterrestrial Combat Units, notably the Japanese had, pardon my pronunciation, their "Kiryu-Kai" unit, which became the prototype for the current X-Com. However, UFOs don't stick to borders, but national militaries usually do. It was the Euros who came up with the idea of making an International X-Com. Figures, really, they've learned the hard way that there is strength in unity. The idea was sound, though, a cabal of nations would fund this organization which would answer only to them, but be granted nearly full autonomy in dealing with alien incursions.
This is where I came into the picture.
Who I am or what I did before X-Com isn't important now, but I am the Global Commander of X-Com, you can call me McNum. It's a codename, obviously, and everyone here has one. Even me. Our real names are perhaps the second best kept secret in X-Com, other than the existence of aliens. Oh, make that the best kept secret now.
The January 1st date, however, is the day that the Vanguard Facility became operational.
(Notes: This is the XComUtil defensive starting base. Same rooms as the standard base, but re-arranged.)
Although "operational" is a relative word here. What we had was a Cold War relic, hidden some distance west of Budapest. The Hungarians donated this base to us as a one time offering, and from here, X-Com had its humble beginnings.
(Notes: I'm playing on Beginner and while I'm not doing a pure Ironman, I'm not reloading every time someone gets killed. I am, however, going to reload if I hit a very crippling setback, like the loss of Vanguard base, or a complete wipe of soldiers. The idea is to save once per week and use that as my checkpoint. Or after major victories. But once it's posted here, it's canon. No taking back anything in the thread.
I'll probably ask for advice at a few points, too. I'm not an X-Com expert, after all.
Also, feel free to comment on the story parts, I know exactly when this is taking place, let's just hope I make it that far. Writing flashback style when you haven't even begun the game is dangerous. Good, it wouldn't be X-Com if it was safe.)
XiaNaphryz
LATIN, MATRIPEDICABUS, DO YOU SPEAK IT
Yep. Though I call dibs on the first guy in the second wave of replacements. He usually has a decent chance of survival due to better equipment already being available, and the third wave on are usually full of fodder/meatshields.
In an unprecedented new measure for our organization, trying to appease to the incessant requests of some lobbying "transparency" groups we will disclose the stats of our soldiers.
Recruit Minsc will only be admitted to be near a rocket launcher when sitting side by side with the recruit equipped with it. His evaluation report gave a result of: "Highly unstable in high stress/quick decision-making scenarios.". Minsc and recruits Jim Jam Bongs and Archnemesis could be a liability to the success of our mission and need to be close monitored in subsequent missions.
We have several eager recruits as backup/replacements if the situation arises.
First mission report will be disclosed following our new open policy.
Recruit Minsc will only be admitted to be near a rocket launcher when sitting side by side with the recruit equipped with it. His evaluation report gave a result of: "Highly unstable in high stress/quick decision-making scenarios.". Minsc and recruits Jim Jam Bongs and Archnemesis could be a liability to the success of our mission and need to be close monitored in subsequent missions.
We have several eager recruits as backup/replacements if the situation arises.
First mission report will be disclosed following our new open policy.
Minsc just hasn't been the same ever since he lost Boo.
frontieruk
Member
Damn, You really must hate those Gaffers to put them into this game
Ppl are mad enough to sign on for it
Ppl are mad enough to sign on for it
All that I am at liberty to say at this moment is that the hiring process of this first wave of recruits involved different levels of persuasive measures. Some would call it a compulsory process. Dark times need resolute and swift measures.
All genuinely enthusiastic volunteers with a respectable curriculum will be welcomed for following missions.
Damn, You really must hate those Gaffers to put them into this game
But the poster said "Exciting Adventure! Protect Earth!" It sounded really cool!
frontieruk
Member
As already previously mentioned I'm up for a role as a red shirt, which in this would be a scout?
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
Oh, damn, is it too late to get some cannon-fodder named after me?
frontieruk
Member
The first recruits arrive at the newly built Gaf HQ, their medicals all check out and they're itching for a firefight.
frontieruk said:
NinajHeartless
Member
Hahaha GAFfers defending the Earth from aliens?
This is fantastic, I'll definitely follow this thread to see how it all goes down
This is fantastic, I'll definitely follow this thread to see how it all goes down
And if you ever need more recruits, I would join X-COM in a heartbeat
Minsc is a double edged sword, he's got great accuracy but that just means he'll have an easier time headshotting your other squaddies when he breaks.
perfect free
Member
Put me down as potential cannon fodder. I loved this game back in the day but was always terrible at it, so I'm happy to live
vicariously through you folk.
briefly
frontieruk
Member
Mcnum leaves the ship first, he can't see anything untoward and heads left to cover the ships exit, BillyChu exits next,Frontieruk said:
and swears under his breath as he spots an alien, McNum's made a rookie error of not checking every angle. BillyChu takes three shots and hits the alien with one, but it doesn't take the alien down, the alien returns fire and hits BillyChu twice leaving him unconscious.
Archnemesis creeps on to the ships boarding ramp and fires three times, he misses all three shots, the alien returns fire but misses.
Archnemesis fires again this time hitting the alien twice, leaving it in a bloody mess,
DennisK4 and Corto disembark and set a parimeter, it's then Dennis4K spots the aliens ship.
The silence in the desert is unnerving and fingers are twitching, McNum spots an alien out the cornet of his eye and reacts, he fires three shots but none connect, McNum curses under his breath, as he does Dennis4K notices that BillyChu is no longer breathing and curses Frontieruk for sending the squad out without medi-kits.
Knowing it's kill or be killed McNum moves forward until he spots the alien he missed,
he goes for an accurate shot, but nerves get the better of him and misses by a country mile but cacti in the area need to be wary...
The alien returns fire and misses, Corto moves round and fires three times but misses, Archnemesis takes up position and fires...
His first shot connects, but the alien is still standing, he misses with the following two shots.
The alien fires at Corto but misses, it then moves out of view.
McNum moves and locates the alien again, he takes six shots but none hit, this mission is starting to look like it's going to go tits up, Corto moves into a firing position and shoots, he also misses, the alien fires back but Mcnums ability to miss things seems to be affecting the alien too, Archnemesis steps up, his first shot misses but is so close it's almost at the aliens feet, the second shot flies true and Archnemesis racks up his second kill of the
campaign.
Corto gets fired upon but doesn't return fire.
Corto edges forward to spot the alien and takes fire, his first shot is on target, the second flies high overhead but the 3rd kills the alien,
Corto is off the mark too.
Dennis4K moves forward and locates another alien, misses with three shots, the alien fires back but misses, Dennis4K tries again but is off target,
McNum still hurting from the death of BillyChu moves into a firing position and fires 3 times... Only the first shot that's required though as alien brains
pepper the side of the UFO, McNum takes some solace in that he probably just saved Dennis4Ks' life.
McNum moves forward edging toward the alien craft and spots another alien, Dennis4K moves to a clearer line of sight on the alien and fires.
He misses, McNum tries and makes his 3rd shot count, 2 kills for McNum but it doesn't console him to the death of BillyChu.
Corto and Archnemesis move forward, scranning the area for signs of life, Nothing.
Dennis and McNum advance towards the alien vessel, and spot another alien, McNum is on fire and claims his third kill.
An alien appears to the left of the ship, Archnemesis gets killed with the aliens first shot, it's as if the alien thinks by standing still the remaining team members won't see it, but they do and everyone takes turns trying to get it but it escapes after barrage of gun fire.
The team edges forward, and McNum racks up his 4th kill.
The team gets nervous and Versipellis comes to join the squad.
The team is now just checking the area while approaching the ship.
No activity is detected so the tension in the team is increasing.
McNum finds the entrance to the ship.
The team converges on the entrance.
Versipellis rushes in having not been in any of the action so far and gets off a good shot,
but impatience is the death of him, Corto rushes in and takes vengeance but his rush of adrenaline leaves him unable to back out of the ship.
Another alien steps out from behind a do an casually executes Corto.
McNum raging over the numer of deaths in the team tries to claim revenge but misses,
Dennis4K gets the kill.
Squire Felix moves up and with the rest of team moves through the ship, Squire Felix claims the last kill.
Frontieruk said:
frontieruk
Member
I feel I failed Gaf more than Earth 
You should just FRAPS it frontieruk and Corto
I love Kikoskia XCom let's plays, they are hilarious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8zpB0Gw46g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRAroTM4nU8
I love Kikoskia XCom let's plays, they are hilarious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8zpB0Gw46g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRAroTM4nU8
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
Laser rifles should be the first thing you tech towards, imo. Until they're ready, sell off all your pistols and buy a bunch of rifles to replace them with. Also, consider investing in a Rocket HWP / extra rockets for scouting, as the first things off the landing craft.
And get me a Rookie, asap!
Rentahamster
Rodent Whores
Name one of your characters after me.
You better keep that bitch alive, though.
You better keep that bitch alive, though.
frontieruk
Member
You should just FRAPS it frontieruk and Corto
I love Kikoskia XCom let's plays, they are hilarious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8zpB0Gw46g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRAroTM4nU8
I tried fraps, it didn't detect any dx usage via dosbox o didn't capture any screens.
Boogalogist
Member
I always loved X-Com stories!! *subscribes*
How I wish I had the time to do an X-Com playthrough.
How I wish I had the time to do an X-Com playthrough.
Sign me up!!
frontieruk
Member
You should just FRAPS it frontieruk and Corto
I love Kikoskia XCom let's plays, they are hilarious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8zpB0Gw46g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRAroTM4nU8
Hmmm that's just a passing mention as I don't see any options to name the pilots (actually it looks like the interceptors fly themselves...)
I'm glad to see this is happening again, definitely keeping track of the playthroughs. Might even try and find my Amiga version and run it in an emulator.
I hope not! The Thnikkaman is ready to die horribly to defend the Earth.
I hope not! The Thnikkaman is ready to die horribly to defend the Earth.
frontieruk
Member
Ok, I really want to play this and have a permanent copy on Steam. Going to go to the trading threads and see what TF2 items will get me the £2.99, or £8.99 for the complete pack.
Look at those bravery scores!
Look at those bravery scores!
AndyMoogle
Member
I started playing this last night. I couldn't get FRAPS to work with this game for some reason, so I didn't take any screenshots.
At first I thought the game was really easy. I breezed through the early parts of the mission until I opened the door to the UFO.
Inside the ship there were two aliens waiting for me, and they quickly took care of the poor rookie who opened the door.
The alien scum killed three more people in the battle, and another rookie was killed as a result of friendly fire in the midst of the heated battle.
A total of five casualties in the first mission. Rating: OK.
I've managed to get FRAPS to work with the game now, so I'll take some screenshots during my next mission.
At first I thought the game was really easy. I breezed through the early parts of the mission until I opened the door to the UFO.
Inside the ship there were two aliens waiting for me, and they quickly took care of the poor rookie who opened the door.
The alien scum killed three more people in the battle, and another rookie was killed as a result of friendly fire in the midst of the heated battle.
A total of five casualties in the first mission. Rating: OK.
I've managed to get FRAPS to work with the game now, so I'll take some screenshots during my next mission.
frontieruk
Member
Oh how?
AndyMoogle
Member
At first I had F10 as the screenshot key, but that didn't work at all for some reason. Now I've changed it to F12 and it works fine.
I should say that I'm not running this through dosbox.
I went through THIS process to patch the game and it works fine with FRAPS.
Yeah, this works because it somehow gets X-Com running in Direct3D. Fraps likes Direct3D!
AndyMoogle
Member
Yup.
The thread's mostly about enjoying some old-school X-Com. Play however you like.