X-Com: Enemy Unknown Ironman Challenge [On Again For 2012]

I remember I had the original Playstation version with mouse and keypad. That version was actually pretty good as you'd sometimes fight 20 aliens in a map. I also had the original UK boxed version bought when it first came out from a PC game rental place (yeah they used to have those).

Damn, I'm old...
 
I'm at this point in the game where Half of my soldiers are veterans with 10+ missions, and can survive well enough, and half are recycled rookies, a couple of which make it to Real Man status..

I'm equipped with Personal Armor and discovered Flying Armor but I'm terribly LOW on Elerium and can't produce it. I suppose I ought to down a Medium/Large UFO and raid it, but it's not very easy with what I have in hand..

I haven't discovered the Noob Launcher or Psionics yet. I am also running AWFULLY short on plasma clips- 50 or so each of weapons and only 5-6 clips left for each. So I researched and manufactured a lot of Heavy Lasers for this mission..

What's the best way to obtain Elerium? Oh I also discovered an Alien Base, maybe I should try to raid that?
 
Never shoot down UFOs over land.

Just let your interceptor follow a UFO and launch your skyranger at it when it lands.

A hyperwave decoder makes this easier. I typically drown smaller ships and I'll always down enemy ships on terror missions.

If you find an alien base you can farm it. The aliens will regularly land supply ships to these bases. They're very rich in Elerium.
 
I've been following this topic for quite some time now and the stories you've been telling are fascinating and engrossing. If you need another recruit name I'll be happy to lend my username to the group(s)!
 
Man, this thread... <3

I started a new game a couple of days ago... tried to do the ironman thing for 5 minutes, dropped it on the first mission, lol. I don't remember so many stuff... Will be with you guys for the ironman run as soon as I finish this one!

BTW, is it normal that on the first month aliens are already terrorizing a city?
 
My ironman run has ended. In a catastrophe. After researching heavy plasma, plasma cannons and flying suits i felt so badass that i downed a medium ufo to farm it. After easily picking the sectoids outside i boldly went in. in two turns half my squad panicked and the other killed their own men under alien influence. Real strong team too, very accurate men and women. Too bad the game apparently gave me a mentally challenged bunch :( X-COM has failed here.
 
I think the Ironman Challenge is too much for me personally, back in the days I was a lover of xtree gold and hex-edited the game to hell and back, even custom-designed the levels byte by byte.

Anyhow, I tried it out and went pretty well with very few ufos the first month and a few easy missions levelled up my soldiers pretty fast. But once I got to a UFO with a leader in it who loved to mind-control and panic my crew I ended up with 2 soldiers out of 14 left.

And since the last alien didn't want to show itself even though I ran many laps around the level, I just gave up.
But it definitely is one of the best games out there
 
I haven't had any time to play Xcom the past couple of weeks, but there have been some epic stories since the last time I checked in! I'll try to put some more time in this week.
 
I want to thank you, archnemesis, Gexecuter, Acosta and all others who contributed, for making this one of the most entertaining threads on GAF.

I have loved reading the AARs, they have been very well written and the screenshots add a lot as well.

Unfortunately, I was banned through most of the thread, so I couldn't comment before now :lol
 
Hmm, I've never played X-COM and I want to try it. Do I need to have internet connection to play the game if I buy it from Steam? Also is the difficulty bug fixed in those versions? I saw people mentioning it but I'm not too sure about the details.
 
Totakeke said:
Hmm, I've never played X-COM and I want to try it. Do I need to have internet connection to play the game if I buy it from Steam? Also is the difficulty bug fixed in those versions? I saw people mentioning it but I'm not too sure about the details.
Click to expand...

I'd imagine you can play it offline fine from Steam. The worst comes to the worst it gives you the original DOS game, so you can just copy it wherever you want and run it completely seperately from Steam (the Steam edition is the original DOS game that runs through a pre-setup DOSbox installation ).

The difficulty bug is NOT fixed in the Steam version. You need a tool such as Xcomutil. There are loads of links and information at the start of this thread with regards to that.
 
Strummerjones said:
I'd imagine you can play it offline fine from Steam. The worst comes to the worst it gives you the original DOS game, so you can just copy it wherever you want and run it completely seperately from Steam (the Steam edition is the original DOS game that runs through a pre-setup DOSbox installation ).

The difficulty bug is NOT fixed in the Steam version. You need a tool such as Xcomutil. There are loads of links and information at the start of this thread with regards to that.
Click to expand...
The steam version of TFTD is actually the beta version iirc
 
I can run this game in a small small window without the graphics blurring up, but when I make it full screen, the image is stretched to 16:9 and the geoscape view moves really slow. Any tips?
 
MrCompletely said:
I can run this game in a small small window without the graphics blurring up, but when I make it full screen, the image is stretched to 16:9 and the geoscape view moves really slow. Any tips?
Click to expand...

You need to locate your dosbox.config file that the game is using, and alter the options a bit. You can actually get it to run in a larger window, which would probably be ideal, by using a scale3x command or something.
 
Joined the fight tonight. God, this game took away at least two summers of my life!
Superhuman, no save->load trick, experienced difficulty.

Let us see who survives the first month of the branch.
 
sammy said:
The day they create a handheld port of X-com (or Terror From the Deep) is the day I no longer have a life.
Click to expand...
Time for you to pick up a GP2X Wiz or a PSP-2000 with custom firmware.

Edit: I never actually got around to do it myself, but I do own a PSP-2000 (+ a Pandora battery for the custom firmware) and both Enemy Unknown and Terror from the Deep for the PS1.

24vij6h.jpg
 
archnemesis said:
Edit: I never actually got around to do it myself, but I do own a PSP-2000 (+ a Pandora battery for the custom firmware) and both Enemy Unknown and Terror from the Deep for the PS1.
Click to expand...
The best part about them is that they are perfect ports of PC version, and run better on PSP then on PS1 (load times are significantly faster).
And additionally, PS1 versions have alternative control scheme that is in many ways superior to the clumsy way original implemented mouse control (which made me curse the game many times back in the day). In fact control-scheme is the one thing in this game that truly feels dated and could stand from reworking it.
 
firehawk12 said:
Man, I didn't even know they ported them to the PS1. God, too bad that'll never make it to the PSN any time soon.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't be so sure about that.
TakeTwo loves money, and they have an XCom game coming on PS3 soon. I'd put chances of adding PSN classics to support the release as being quite high (and the fact they already have these on Steam shows they're aware of classic XCom popularity).

The likely bummer is that AFAIK TFTD was only released in Europe, so it would probably mean it would never make it to any other PSN :( (which is idiotic, but so far PSN releases have been region-limited even though they are region-free when you play them -_-)
 
Fafalada said:
I wouldn't be so sure about that.
TakeTwo loves money, and they have an XCom game coming on PS3 soon. I'd put chances of adding PSN classics to support the release as being quite high (and the fact they already have these on Steam shows they're aware of classic XCom popularity).

The likely bummer is that AFAIK TFTD was only released in Europe, so it would probably mean it would never make it to any other PSN :( (which is idiotic, but so far PSN releases have been region-limited even though they are region-free when you play them -_-)
Click to expand...

Hrm, well, I hope that's the case - even if we just get the first one. It'd be an easy value add for the PS3 version of the game if they wanted to go that way.

I guess I'm just not as optimistic. :lol
 
Preparing myself for a X-COM Ironman...

I really don't feel like playing TFTD... >.>

But mostly because I just started the first one over.

Anyone else care to join in?
 
I must admit I HEXed my soldiers to burn faster through the game, and it still took ages to get to the end. A lot of fun though.
 
Finally finished my Ironman run :D Bit late but better late then never. Now I'm thinking of starting apocalypse ironman run but it's so much easier to fuck up things in apocalypse then it's in X-Com 1&2 so I'm bit sceptical if it's even fun to try it with ironman rules :o
 
I believe I'll just sit this one out. Between my planned ironman run of X-Com: Apocalypse, Xenonauts, XCOM, and XCOM: Enemy Unknown, there is already enough alien killing to fill this year's schedule. I'd love to read other people's stories though!
 
Hmm, I was planning on giving the game another shot. I'll see if I can figure out how to get some images out of it. If I can make it work, I'll get something up in this thread. I know I've gotten better at turn based tactical games since my last attempt, so maybe I'll win this time. I do know the basics of what I need to do to win, I've just never pulled it off. Got up to owning an Avenger once, but those aren't that useful if you don't have Cydonia unlocked. I have installed the game from Steam and gotten XcomUtil installed and, yeah, made a few modifications. Nothing too cheaty, except perhaps the new layout for the starting base, but mostly bugfixes and annoyance removal, like re-equipping each mission. Oh, and giving High Explosives the ability to tear through UFO walls and an Auto-Fire for the Laser Pistol. I don't know if those last two are a bit much.

Although, it's not going to be one of those super-impressive Ironman Superhuman things. Just a "friendly" prodding by someone who never beat the game, playing on Beginner. Maybe I can finally win the war for Earth. Even if it's just on Beginner, it'll be enough for me. Also, while I won't be Ironmanning, I do know that a lot of the fun in X-Com is to lose men, so I won't be extreme save scumming either.

I also need to think up a format for it. I don't think the blow by blow writeup like Fishman's LP will happen. I just don't think I'll be able to get the screens for that. But on the other hand, it's easy to make after action reports way too dry, so... Any tips/requests? A happy middle would be nice, I think.
 
Yeah, tried getting the Windows version running, no-go. The DOSBox one runs great, though. I was thinking more along the lines of image hosting, but for 320x240 images, (or scaled up to 640x480 afterwards), I can probably just use ImgUr. My free Photobucket account probably wouldn't hold for a full game.
 
I think I'm going to start an ironman run with my PS1 copy this week.

Is there a way to save images from the PS3 that I don't know about? I'd love to chronicle my inevitable failures in saving the world with pictures. :D


Gexecutioner, tahrikmili, Versipellis, More fun to Compute, StrummerJones, jim-jam bongs (and I sincerely apologize if I missed anyone) all did amazing jobs with these. Hilarious stuff. :D

Many of the fallen GAF soldiers from this thread will find new life (thanks to DNA advancements in the XCom world) under my strategic, corporately greedy command of X-COM!
 
I'll try that, archnemesis. Thanks!


Oh, and thanks to your lovely thread, I'm pulling you out of retirement and putting you on my first squad. HOOO-AH!
 
xcom.jpg


GAME ON!

Having just build our first base of operations "HIVEMIND" on southern Europe our agency proceeded to hire 8 rookie mercenaries with a full range of abilities that we'll try to enhance through our rigorous training program and real life missions. Some though will show also a range of defects that we'll need to prune through training and conditioning or let the natural selection process take its course... dun dun dun


*I downloaded and installed this BETA version of the Xcomutil because the last build was giving me compatibility errors when trying to setup the game.

http://www.bladefirelight.com/
 
I'm seriously late to the party on this one, so I'm having my first play through on beginner
:-S

anyway the scenario

It is the year 2012. Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have once again started appearing with disturbing regularity in the night skies. Reports of violent human abductions and horrific experimentation has reminded people of the attacks during the late 1990's striking terror into the hearts of millions. Mass public hysteria has only served to expose Earth’s impotence against a vastly superior technology.

On December 11, 2011, representatives from the world’s most economically powerful countries gathered secretly in Geneva. After much debate, the decision was made to establish a covert independent body to combat, investigate and defeat the alien threat. This task force would be equipped with the world’s finest pilots, soldiers, scientists and engineers, working together as one multi-national force.
This task force would be known as Neogaf.

Several candidates were put forward to lead Neogaf in the human races endeavour for survival, many had served with the Extraterrestrial Combat Unit of the 90's, but in the end I was selected to lead the task force and I'm going to make damned sure that we win this war at any cost.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry for the many deaths that gaf is going to suffer :-/
 
Corto said:
xcom.jpg


GAME ON!

Having just build our first base of operations "HIVEMIND" on southern Europe our agency proceeded to hire 8 rookie mercenaries with a full range of abilities that we'll try to enhance through our rigorous training program and real life missions. Some though will show also a range of defects that we'll need to prune through training and conditioning or let the natural selection process take its course... dun dun dun


*I downloaded and installed this BETA version of the Xcomutil because the last build was giving me compatibility errors when trying to setup the game.

http://www.bladefirelight.com/
Click to expand...

oh man, first rule of X-Com - NEVER name a squad member after yourself. That dude is so dead.
 
Corto said:
xcom.jpg


GAME ON!

Having just build our first base of operations "HIVEMIND" on southern Europe our agency proceeded to hire 8 rookie mercenaries with a full range of abilities that we'll try to enhance through our rigorous training program and real life missions. Some though will show also a range of defects that we'll need to prune through training and conditioning or let the natural selection process take its course... dun dun dun


*I downloaded and installed this BETA version of the Xcomutil because the last build was giving me compatibility errors when trying to setup the game.

http://www.bladefirelight.com/
Click to expand...

I call dibs on the rocket launcher!
 
It annoys me that I never noticed (and had to be told) a year ago that the explosions in X-com were shaped like skulls / Sectoid heads.

I never realized it.
 
Corto said:
xcom.jpg


GAME ON!

Having just build our first base of operations "HIVEMIND" on southern Europe our agency proceeded to hire 8 rookie mercenaries with a full range of abilities that we'll try to enhance through our rigorous training program and real life missions. Some though will show also a range of defects that we'll need to prune through training and conditioning or let the natural selection process take its course... dun dun dun


*I downloaded and installed this BETA version of the Xcomutil because the last build was giving me compatibility errors when trying to setup the game.

http://www.bladefirelight.com/
Click to expand...

Post our stats!
 
Fafalada said:
The best part about them is that they are perfect ports of PC version, and run better on PSP then on PS1 (load times are significantly faster).
And additionally, PS1 versions have alternative control scheme that is in many ways superior to the clumsy way original implemented mouse control (which made me curse the game many times back in the day). In fact control-scheme is the one thing in this game that truly feels dated and could stand from reworking it.
Click to expand...


Really?? Is it really a "perfect" port? Can someone else double-confirm this?

So, your saying that it even controls as well or even better? Sorry, I'm just so curious, because I'm pretty intrigued by the possibilty to play this on my huge CRT.
 
I'm about ready to start my game as well, just need a few more names for troops, but I've got my intro written already. Is there a list of people already signed up to be abused used in these X-Com games?

I did send out a call for recruits elsewhere, too, but not to worry, there won't be anything too overt about it. (And if I do reference something and you spot it, feel free to call me out on it.)
 
McNum said:
I'm about ready to start my game as well, just need a few more names for troops, but I've got my intro written already. Is there a list of people already signed up to be abused used in these X-Com games?

I did send out a call for recruits elsewhere, too, but not to worry, there won't be anything too overt about it. (And if I do reference something and you spot it, feel free to call me out on it.)
Click to expand...

I'll volunteer for your suicide squad, McNum... if you still have space for fresh meat, that is. XD
 
I'll volunteer as long as I'm the rookie with the lowest bravery. I want to be responsible for mayhem.
 
McNum said:
I'm about ready to start my game as well, just need a few more names for troops, but I've got my intro written already. Is there a list of people already signed up to be abused used in these X-Com games?

I did send out a call for recruits elsewhere, too, but not to worry, there won't be anything too overt about it. (And if I do reference something and you spot it, feel free to call me out on it.)
Click to expand...

Specialist Brashnir, reporting for
suicide
duty.
 
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