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XCOM 2 (PC/Mac/Linux, Firaxis, November 2015) announced [Up: New info/screens in OP]
- Thread starter dex3108
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Full mod support means mods like the Long War wont be held back by major parts of the game being hardcoded.
Snacks the sober sea lion
Member
I played Enemy Unknown for 30 hours and can't get into it anymore. I couldn't figure out how to strategize beyond constantly using Overwatch.
I got 660ti myself and I can play Witcher 3 on Hight details with 50-60fps. I think you're safe.
Wait, really? That's awesome! I didn't even get Witcher 3 because I figured my current card wouldn't run it at all. Thanks for letting me know!
Honestly, just the procedural maps alone will put it above LW. Nothing against LW, it's a fantastic mod--it's just that playing the same maps again and again and again and again and again got really old for me.
Mod support aside, the burden on the developers of making an elegant interface is lighter this way. The developers can implement more functionality without worrying about how to condense it down to a gamepad (perhaps having to make more UI elements along the way).
You can make a gamepad game that has more complexity than one that uses keyboard + mouse, of course, but it seems obvious to me that it's easier for a large amount of inputs to lead to a large amount of actions than it is for a small amount of inputs to lead to a large amount of actions.
They don't need to have the algorithm do it square by square. I'd bet on it being somewhat close to how Diablo 3 does it. Using D3 as an example, here's a block that has these exits, each of which can connect to a set piece, a tunnel, an another block or an entrance/exit. Works reasonably well and it without the amount of repetition of a lootwhoring game the only flaw should be gone.
vpance
Member
That's because it was the smartest way to play. I'm not sure if the answer is to simply nerf it though.
I'd assume that's how the original XCOM works, too, going by what I remember of its maps.
Poodlestrike
Banned
And get potentially buried in the process? At least now the sequal gets the attention that it deserves and gamers have steady flow of information prior to E3.
(non modded)
Use explosives to take out cover, heavies can debuff your enemies, get snipers to higher ground (grappling hook/jetpack!), spec assaults to either flush enemies out of cover or dodge overwatch which allows them to oneshot lone aliens. Spec a medic to sprinting and give them the stealth armor at lategame so you can discover the aliens on your terms (just spam overwatch and use 1 action to move before that so you can get to cover)
Poodlestrike
Banned
All they have said so far is - "later this week well go in-depth with Solomon and DeAngelis on the reasons behind the bold move to take XCOM from a multiplatform series to a PC exclusive, and how XCOM 2 will be tailored to take advantage of that single platforms strengths followed by Firaxis exciting plans to support modders and their work"
From that my immediate thought is them going highly iterative, updating the game frequently to allow for long term support and changes which might be a big thing they go for. Mods sound like they will be integral, and likely involve an attempt at paid mods - I'd hope curated and in collaboration with Firaxis for the bigger and more comprehensive content. Long War was amazing and done with the limits and lack of support of the previous game, so there are a lot more possibilities here. Mouse and keyboard being a focus is a possibility, opening the game up to other mechanics even in a turn based game. There really no telling where they will go, so you might as well wait for the info to drop tomorrow when they specifically explain why they are going PC only. There are a ton of possibilities.
Ah, yeah. I get what you are saying now. For some reason I doubt this makes it in, but it would be great to have it back.
Old Gimlet Eyes
Member
Just take my money now. Really stoked for this though I freakin love the modern xcom and this sequel will no doubt be awesome. Loves me some firaxis.
texhnolyze
Banned
All I need is a better writing and engaging story.
Tbh I haven't finished EU yet. Gameplay is amazing but the story is putting me away.
Tbh I haven't finished EU yet. Gameplay is amazing but the story is putting me away.
GoodCoffeeJoey
Banned
Has Firaxis said if Xcom 2 is running on Unreal? I remember one of the reasons the first game didn't have procedural environments was because the Unreal engine wasn't able to handle it.
MrCunningham
Member
Yep Firaxis realizes that Long War is a huge draw-in for XCOM EU and they are going to make XCOM 2 much more modder friendly because of it. Smart move to fully support the modding community.
Besides modding I'm expecting an xcom game that doesn't cater to a console audience that devs/publishers may perceive as requiring a "dumbed down" experience. I think a lot of the simplifications that went into 2012 xcom may have been a result of that and I'm expecting some to be reversed for xcom 2.
Chubzdoomer
Banned
Although I'm extremely happy this one is exclusive to PC (especially since that means the UI will be built from the ground-up with PC in mind), I admittedly feel bad for those who played and enjoyed the last two games on consoles.
CertifiedFP
Member
Noone was saying this when Apocalypse was PC exclusive following UFO Defense and TFTD being on every platform under the sun from Amiga to PS1, why now?
Whoa, so much complaining about it being PC exclusive. Strategy games have a fairly large fan base on PC so I see why Firaxis has gone exclusive for now. Doesn't mean it isn't going to go elsewhere in the future but holy crap at all the shit flinging. People just don't like exclusives I guess, either console or PC.
No other info till tomorrow when they go a bit more in depth with an overview of the game and its features as well as reasoning behind being PC only. IGN are also going to be first to debut the gameplay at their show thing during E3 in two weeks, so I guess we'll know in a soon enough
The difference here is that most exclusivity to PC is almost always due to the game they want to make, features or hardware etc, whereas on the consoles it is often a case of "moneyhatting". Perhaps it is a harder pill to swallow for some. Regardless the answers come tomorrow, so I'm intrigued to here their plans.
Chubzdoomer
Banned
I didn't even have the Internet back in those days, so I don't know anything about what the reaction was like then.
I know for a fact that there were many 360/PS3 gamers who enjoyed Enemy Unknown and Within, though, and that both games scored very high on those systems.
It's a bit odd for Firaxis to suddenly change direction after a reception like that, but if it means we get a higher-quality game that truly takes advantage of the PC's strengths, I'm all for it.
MrCunningham
Member
UE4 can do procedural, can it not? Makes me wonder if they switched over to it for XCOM 2. The lighting does have that UE4 look to it, and they are pushing for multiplatform (Linux, Mac).
Yeah but then you run into the problem the last game had where the battle scenes only tangentially tie into the strategic mode rather than having all sorts of variables in play. Procedural map generation is good news.
Long War 2's going to be pretty great, once someone gets around to making it.
ricardo_sousa11
Member
Doesnt look good, I still gotta play Declassified, have that on my steam list forever, its time to give it a try.
I'd assume so. A quick google search suggests as much. Wasn't aware of issues with UE3.
-tetsuo-
Unlimited Capacity
Dem procedural maps breh
Poimandres
Member
It's more that people don't like not being able to play games they want to play.
I hear the last game worked well on consoles and even tablets, so it is an interesting decision targetting PC/Mac only. But, if they are planning on adding mechanics etc that aren't really viable without a keyboard then full credit to the developers. No need to compromise your vision and target multi platform if what you're aiming for isn't a good fit.
MichaelFassbender
Member
I'm down for it. Enemy Within was fantastic to finish strong on, so this one having more will be probably cool as well!
I H8 Memes
Member
Wish they would have had a Thin Man in the trailer.
God I hope not, XCOM was a dream to control with controller for everything except grenades
Poodlestrike
Banned
No need for Thin Men, they're out in the open.
TheLostBigBoss
Banned
Yea, the whole point of Thin Men was to blend in to a degree.
Aliens seem to be part of civilization now.
This is a joke, right?
Dragon1893
Member
Loved EU/EW, really looking forward to this.
Woo-Fu
Banned
The awesomeness will be directly proportional to how well it works. Hellgate: London had procedural map generation, how awesome was that?
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