Game Informer cover story reveals return to turn-based tactics for sci-fi series with Civilization developer Firaxis at the helm.
When Take-Two first revived the XCOM turn-based strategy series with the announcement of a first-person shooter, some purists were less than pleased. Those same purists may be pacified today, as Game Informer has teased its February cover story with the unveiling of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a new turn-based strategy installment in the alien-fighting franchise.
Nearly as notable as the title's existence is its developer, Firaxis Games. Headed up by legendary designer Sid Meier, the Take-Two-owned studio has primarily produced new installments in the Civilization series, with a handful of side projects like CivCity: Rome and Sid Meier's Pirates.
According to the magazine, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is set for a fall launch on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The game will combine turn-based tactical combat with real-time strategy, and it will feature destructible environments and organizational improvements as players progress.
Speaking to the magazine, Firaxis president Steve Martin stressed the team's appreciation for the original, saying, "We were careful to keep XCOM: Enemy Unknown true to the elements that made X-COM such a revered game while delivering an entirely new story and gameplay experience for both diehard X-COM fans and newcomers to the franchise."
Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Some comments want XCOM to become an FPS with rpg elements. I believe it is the difficulty for making XCOM a great game with two elements in it. After looking at the new XCOM trailer, I am waiting for this game to release. And see what other new features in it, the old XCOM doesn't.
@PodXCOM "That's because they are humans, they all came from Earth. ME doesn't have that excuse." It's being a long time since I read and watched the movies.ME has Elcor and Hanar aliens witch don't look human at all.I think most sci-fi writers have humanoid aliens as readers can relate to them more and can be easily adapted for movies. Only humans in Dune , no aliens ? , can't get any lazier ? Haven't played any MSG games, Yeah and Hollywood loves recyling stero types as well as stories lines. "The Reapers, on the other hand, are just not threatening. You are told, over & over, that to defeat them, you just needed 4 or 5 armies to win. You destroy 4 Reapers in the game, so it's not like they are hard to kill. And you do most of your fighting with Cerberus anyways" Doesn't sound quite right, 4 or 5 fleets to destroy Sorveign In ME2 and then you destroy 1 Reaper base at the end and you tell Cerberus to stick it in the very end. Maybe you should replay ME2 ? Almost finnished ME3 , Mordin, Thane and Legion dead so far. "don't want to bug you." Ok I'l keep you informed .
1 Like @Green---Alien (part 2) "The Reaper tech that enslaved and turned being into husks etc." Okay, you got me there. And I did see some videos, there was some parts I liked, and the Mordin's Death was good. "In Dune everyone looked human etc." That's because they are humans, they all came from Earth. ME doesn't have that excuse. "I don't know whats a MSG4 or Bay movie ?" You know, Metal Gear Solid 4, and Michael Bay. MGS4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f07ZpXe8TU Michael Bay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF7ZGRYNCtg "I think you like to recycle your arguments and sentences." Did I? Sorry about that.
Hi , I,m back, got your message but was unable to reply via the G/S mail box for some reason.Hope things are Ok with you.
1 Like @Green---Alien (part 1) I'm a bit surprise you replyed. Well if you get sick of this conversation, let me know. I don't want to bug you. :) Let's talk about powerful enemies. In FreeSpace, there was a fearsome alien race called Shivans, and in both games, you were in a losing battle. In the end of FreeSpace 2, You had to stop them by destroying 2 wormholes, cutting them off from the humans. There were just no other way to stop them. And then there is Myth: the fallen lords. It was a hard game, with a great narrator that made you feel like a small man that was part of a army that was trying to stop a more powerful army of the undead. What was so compelling about the story was the undead army was too big to defeat them with brute force, and the army you were in was getting smaller & smaller. Here, I'll show you the intro, & all the mission briefings, enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjN6kEo8-Ss http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lir_iUr7zkc The Reapers, on the other hand, are just not threatening. You are told, over & over, that to defeat them, you just needed 4 or 5 armies to win. You destroy 4 Reapers in the game, so it's not like they are hard to kill. And you do most of your fighting with Cerberus anyways.
@PodXCOM I think you like to recycle your arguments and sentences. You hate ME3 and I think the Dune books By Frank Herbert are boring, either way Bioware and Frank Herbert are laughing all the way to the bank. I'm afraid you analyzed the ending of ME2 with the simplicity of the whiners who didn't get a typical cliche hero ending for ME3. The Reaper tech that enslaved and turned being into husks, brutes etc is evil, (not tech like better spaceships and weapons) and Cereberus wanted to use it on other alien races to be the dominate force in the galaxy.Shepard discovered that Cereberus used this tech on it own soldiers in ME3 Mars mission "Then there's the aliens; Almost all of them look, talk, and even act like humans. It's so lazy!" In Dune everyone looked human and everyone needed spice to navigate in space , came across very stupid to me and even more lazy than ME3. I don't know whats a MSG4 or Bay movie ?
1 Like @Green---Alien Sorry for the late reply. I was trying to get my thoughts straight on how to reply, then I thought maybe I shouldn't. Guess this will be my last reply. "You shouldn't be so sensative as you could leave yourselve open to flaming" Thanks, but it's a bit too late, because someone told me that my fav anime is boring & crapy, and then told me all anime were the same. Made me feel stupid. Oh well, live and learn. "and I thought you where a lot more insulting on ME3." Yeah, but it's not that it only has a bad story-- I like bad sci-fi games-- it's that it thinks it's vociferous thought are epic and important, but is just insipid and shallow. Like at the end of ME2, where it give you the old "using evil tech is wrong," and all our morality will "go out the window" if we use it. This is stupid! Humans have been doing evil for thousands of years! Taking new tech is *NOT* going to change that. Then there's the aliens; Almost all of them look, talk, and even act like humans. It's so lazy! And there is a lot of nit-picking things, like how I never thought the Reapers were much of a threat. "Even Xcom is a recycled story.Check out this 70's sci/fi series from the UK" Oh yes, someone showed me a video about that, and I see where your going. I guess, my side of the argument is ME seems to take too much movie cliches, instead of Games/books/anime cliches. It's like with the Transformers; I was hoping it would be more MGS4, but all we got was another Bay movie.
@PodXCOM All opinions are subjective. Even Xcom is a recycled story.Check out this 70's sci/fi series from the UK http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063962/ (read the summary) I only read the 1st book and I didn't think "boring" was insulting (I think Shakespear is boring too).You shouldn't be so sensative as you could leave yourselve open to flaming and I thought you where a lot more insulting on ME3. CC4 is a full internet game, you can't even play the single player campagian without being on the net and I enjoyed the earlier CC games, haven't played Demigod .
1 Like @Growgor "Yes I was hoping for a squad base FPS , with rpg elements like dungeon keeper but looks like Marin wanted to redo Xcom Enforcer instead." (Sigh) I know, if only.... It'll be another ten years before anyone trys something like that again.
1 Like @Green---Alien "I think all games,movies,TV and stories are all recycled cliches , is just a matter of which recycled reworked cliche you like playing or watching." subjective. "I found them boring and the movies as well , just a cliche of famalies fighting for control of resourses" Did you read all the 6 dune books? Becaues the 4th book is my favourite of all, and I'm a bit sensitive when people insult it. "CC4 was a bore and I just manged to have the will to finnish the single player campagian and never touch it a again." Good News, then. They said that C&C4 was suppose to be a internet game only, like Demigod was, and for some reason they were told to make it into a full-game. So It's not like bad ideas from C&C4 are going into the new one.
1 Like Yes I was hoping for a squad base FPS , with rpg elements like dungeon keeper but looks like Marin wanted to redo Xcom Enforcer instead.
@PodXCOM I think all games,movies,TV and stories are all recycled cliches , is just a matter of which recycled reworked cliche you like playing or watching. "But, on the good side, I get to see things like this:" A montage of graphic errors is not going spoil my favourite cliche and nothing that a patch or driver update won't fix. "aliens from Star Control 2 & 3 are better" haven't seen then. & subjective. "And I love the 6 Dune books By Frank Herbert" I found them boring and the movies as well , just a cliche of famalies fighting for control of resourses.(a very popular game cliche too)I think the CC format was from a very early game called DUNE and it was fighting for control of resourses.
1 Like @Green---Alien (Well I guess this will be my last post. maybe) "but would have respected your opinion more if you played the game or the demo." I did play the demo of ME2 on PS3, if that helps (Maybe I'll play the demo of ME3 too). I've also seen the ending of ME2 & ME3, and seen lots of videos. I still think it's bad. It has so much bad story Cliches, that I just don't know where to start. But, on the good side, I get to see things like this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFR4socSv_E I think the aliens from Star Control 2 & 3 are better. And I love the 6 Dune books By Frank Herbert. Right now I'm trying to read "The Jesus Incident" but it's really hard to get into that book. It's both boring and interesting.
@PodXCOM "Everyone was hating on it, so I thought I would jump in too". Yes I saw that Thread "Why I Hate ME3" but I did not bother with that b*tch & whine session.The ME series is one of my favorite game series and I,ve played ME1 & 2 and have all the saved games ready for ME3 . I'm not insulted as with anything, a opinion is subjective and would prefer to hear the truth than some phoney suck-up spin (the world would be too boring if we all liked the same stuff) but would have respected your opinion more if you played the game or the demo.
1 Like @Green---Alien "Yes I hope so to, I notice you gave ME3 a 1 score , did u play it or just watch the video & reviews.?" Just watch the video & reviews. :D Everyone was hating on it, so I thought I would jump in too. Besides, I also thought the Mass Effect's story were kind of.... stupid. I know lots of japanese cartoons, games, books, and even poems that have better stories & characters then all of Mass Effect. (Hope I didn't just insult your favorite games)
@PodXCOM CC4 was a bore and I just manged to have the will to finnish the single player campagian and never touch it a again. "Let's hope Bioware doesn't start making some bad fan fic in C&C too." Yes I hope so to, I notice you gave ME3 a 1 score , did u play it or just watch the video & reviews.?
1 Like @Green---Alien "Boy after a couple of months I didn't except a reply.Did you just get back from Iraq" No, I , ah, well.... forgot. ^^; Bioware is also making a new Command & Conquer Generals (with some help from the old studio that made C&C4) http://kotaku.com/5867121/what-does-bioware-even-mean-any-more-it-doesnt-mean-command--conquer Let's hope Bioware doesn't start making some bad fan fic in C&C too. :D
@PodXCOM Boy after a couple of months I didn't except a reply.Did you just get back from Iraq ?.Yeah...Bioware must have a few extra fruits in there basket.
1 Like @Green---Alien Yeah, I know what you mean. The funny thing is, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Star Wars: The Old Republic are all made by BioWare.
1 Like @Arch-Stanton "Having something new like Dungeon Keeper style interface would be a great idea for Xcom. " Yeah, that would be my dream.
1 Like @Growgor Oh geez, deeply sorry for the late reply. Well I like Xenonauts the most. It playes like the first game, and I liked the new interceptor dog-fighting. But it's a bit old looking, what with it being a 2D fan-made game and all. Firaxis' XCOM, it's looking good. however, I don't like the some of the new ideas they added, like only having one base, 4-6 men in battle, no base battles, stupid Jarhead one-liners. But combat looks fast and fun. UFO2Extra, well.... I looked at the videos, and it doesn't get me excited. But it's still looks like an X-COM game. 2K Marin XCOM.... It's just a boring FPS, that rips-off mass effect's gameplay! You just hide, shoot, and use powers at the bad-guys, just like Mass Effect. Marin doesn't even want it to be an X-COM game. I could show you the video, if you don't believe me. And that is so sad, because I thought an Fps X-COM could really work.
1 Like @themidgethotel This reply was going to be longer, but then I said 'why bother, who cares'. So I will just show you this list, and be done with it. The point of the list is to show that even the best of the best of games can still get bugs. It's doesn't matter who is working on them, or how long they been working on it, bugs will always pop-up when making a game, and there just no way to add anything complex as X-COM's gameplay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbOn_AYtyJU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U7F4-eDPGk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhxFHmmcREE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjIr3MPhpis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFR4socSv_E My point is: There is no way 2k is going to make any big changes to the FPS xcom. But still, if you want to hope, then go ahead. But I bet you $100 that nothing is going to change.
1 Like @snoos How do you there are no time units (or action pts) ? The games not out for at least another 6 months."(I can't stand not retreating after firing)" That would definitely be bad , that was a common play I used in Xcom. !!
Ok so there r no time units. ANd there is move+action system, but can u action then move?. (I can't stand not retreating after firing) also I hope u can move+action+move in 1 turn, any one hear if u can do this?
1 Like Whats with all this gay crap game makers are try to shove into games, is this some type of fade or a clever PR stunt for new games.Gay characters and gay romances are not going make me buy Xcom, ME3 or Star Wars: The Old Republic.I can just see it now,Luke & CP30 walking hand in hand into the sunset. @themidgethotel I didn't mind the interface on Aftershock but it had a very lousy AI and missing stuff like tanks & destrustable objects etc.
@Growgor That LtReviews is just some smart a*hole, d*bag who thought it would be good to use G/S new rules to flame me for my comments on Marin Xcom gay character , it's very obvious he was more interested in flaming me than commenting on Xcom. I did report him for abuse but G/S has new rules and his comments are deemed acceptable under their new rules.This is the reply I got from G/S customer help. Dear User, According to our new terms of service we openly allow trolling and flaming, the comments that we do not allow are personal attacks, homophobic comments or racial slurs Thanks for thumbing down his comments.(RE: other thread)
1 Like @PodXCOM There are at least 4 xcoms game coming to the market this year Firaxis Xcom,Marin Xcom ,Xenonauts and UFO2Extra.... Which ones would recommend ? @Arch-Stanton What did you say to the LtReviews guy to get him all worked up ? I thought you would have reported him for abuse.
@PodXCOM Thanks for all the links, I think you must be Xcom's biggest fan. I checked them all out , no Silacoid Alien and looks like you do get a bit of a menu in the 3rd person combat veiw ,looks like you can select what type shot or weapon maybe ?
1 Like @Arch-Stanton Ah, I was thinking of sending you a note, but.... well, since you posted here, I guess I'll just show you and themidgethotel what I gathered on Firaxis' XCOM, enjoy! :) http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/01/20/sid-meier-talks-xcom-enemy-unknown.aspx http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/01/26/advanced-tactics-exploring-xcom-39-s-combat-part-1.aspx http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/01/xcom-enemy-unknown-preview/#more-92040 http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/02/firaxis-xcom-preview/ http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/03/time-for-a-change-firaxis-on-xcom-part-3/#more-92049 http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/02/03/interactive-ant-farm-exploring-xcom-s-hq.aspx --------- @themidgethotel Thank you so much for replying back! I still have some things I want to go over with you, so I hope you are still willing to reply back. But right now, I'm thinking how to reply back to you., and I have some other things. For now, enjoy the links!
@themidgethotel Looking at the Marin press releases there Xcom just looks like a generic FPS cashing in on the popularity of the original. I'm sure Marin Xcom will have similiar fate as Xcom Enforcer. @PodXCOM Having something new like Dungeon Keeper style interface would be a great idea for Xcom.
@PodXCOM 4. I love strategy games, especially god and city/nation-building games, more than any other genre. In fact, I've played all of the games you've mentioned except the first Dungeon Keeper (I played 2) and Battlezone 2. Which is why I'm hyped for Firaxis's take on X-COM. But like I said, there's room for a squad-based FPS just like there was 13 years ago. If you don't like it, then don't get it. Talking to you about it is like if someone showcased the original X-COM and just showed the tactical combat aspect of it in an early-game scenario and everyone who saw it was like "This SUCKS!!! Where are the strategic elements? They don't have a geoscape?! No tanks?! No psychic attacks?! F' This!!" They just didn't showcase it - doesn't mean it's not there. And even if it isn't, they have another year to rectify that. "It's a long story, but there is no way they can just add something as complex as Base Building or Tanks" Again, I'm reserving any complaints I have, because I don't want to assume that things aren't in the game b/c they haven't shown up in a short demo.
@PodXCOM 1. Four? Don't you mean three? What was the fourth one? Interceptor? I've played the three "mainline" ones - UFO Defense, Terror From The Deep, and Apocalypse - and beat the first one. I've also played the unofficial sequels/spiritual successors (Aftermath, Aftershock, etc.) which employed an interface akin to Apocs but sucked horribly. I'd rather see an FPS done well than a TBS done poorly (which doesn't seem to be a problem since I trust in Firaxis to do well. Hopefully). 2. As I've already stated in my last post, I did watch both of the videos. --- 3. I like the squad-based tactical aspect. It is very eerily mass effect-ish from a visual standpoint and from the leveling system at present, but there really aren't a whole lot of well-made squad-based shooters out there. As well, a lot of the stuff I find discomforting with it could change, or already has been changed, by the time the developer play-through came out. I also really like the aesthetic of the world (giant terraforming black crystals morphing the environment, 60s-era structures look pretty accurate, etc.). Keep in mind that the developer play-through is one level in one early beta build of the game. It's not going to be reflective of the breadth of the experience, especially since the devs are likely tweaking a lot of aspects and features.
Gamespot says this has a Adult only rating.Wonder if this games gonna get rewards for:X-Com Enemy Uknown the only game in the whole world that actually gets a A rating.
1 Like @themidgethotel You haven't replyed back yet? fine, I'll just say what I need and be done. 1. -"The FPS doesn't need to conform to the standards or gameplay aspects of the core TBS - that's what's Firaxis' Enemy Unknown is for. If they made it just like EU or UFO Defense as you seem to want it to be, then people would complain that it's too similar."- umm, no. they are just making another FPS game that you, I and everyone else had already played a 1000 times. They aren't even trying something new. I would have loved if they did something new, like make it play like Dungeon Keeper, Battlezone 2, Minecraft, Project Zomboid, Star Control 2 or Evil Genius. But THEY DO NOT WANT TO! All they did was rip-off Mass Effect. 2.-"And who says there won't be any kind of base building or strategic elements? Just because they haven't shown it doesn't mean it's not there. "- It's a long story, but there is no way they can just add something as complex as Base Building or Tanks. but the bigger problem is THEY DON'T WANT TO! They have a hard enough time with the social commentary, why would they try gameplay that only a hand-full of people can do right?
1 Like @themidgethotel Thanks for replying back! I was working on a big reply, but I thought I should ask if you are willing to hear it first. Also, I want to ask: 1.) Did you play the first 4 X-COM games? 2.) Did you fully see the 2 videos, and interview links I showed? 3.) What do you like in this FPS game? 4.) Do you like Strategy or building games? (building games like Minecraft, Evil Genius, RTS, simcity) (I just want to be on the same page)
@PodXCOM I've seen the videos on it. It looks pretty good despite the changes. The FPS doesn't need to conform to the standards or gameplay aspects of the core TBS - that's what's Firaxis' Enemy Unknown is for. If they made it just like EU or UFO Defense as you seem to want it to be, then people would complain that it's too similar. I'm happy they're making changes to the basic formula. And who says there won't be any kind of base building or strategic elements? Just because they haven't shown it doesn't mean it's not there. Only thing I can validate in your list for sure are the two invincible NPC partners, which I agree seems like they should make kill-able. But seeing as I haven't played the game, I can't say that for sure. If the mechanics they use feel right with the game's pace, then I'm fine with it.
Wish they dont change anything just remake first x com with better angine and more stuff... perfect game dont need anything "super cool" what kills game., like can averyone see in so many BAD remakes where developers trying to invest something new and always FAIL... what i watched in web about game not looks like XCOM , xxxxxxg xxxt stupid fps with aliens, people sick of neverending same fps, grow up brains devs...another shooter for braninless preteens... if target Wish to game will changing back to normal style,,
1 Like @themidgethotel Haven't you heard? The message 2K Marin is trying to give to X-COM fans is this: "We, at 2K Marin, do NOT want anything to do with X-COM. Not in gameplay, setting, themes, or anything but name. We just want to send a boring, moral message of tolerance and we're using the name to help us." I've been looking at the FPS game for two years and this is what they have: -No Base Building. -No Base Control. -No Tanks to send into battle. -No Research (they have something called "Research points", which is just another way of saying "experience points"). -No Manufacturing. -No Random Missions. -No UFO to shoot down. -No more then two men/NPCs to command, but they can never die. -No Nations/City to protect. -No Micromanaging of any kind. -No real Strategy of any kind. Don't believe me? then look at these videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-SH19sgisEk#t=1456s www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqfH6E1YZNk And have a look at those links: http://gaygamer.net/2011/06/e3_11_interview_jordan_thomas.html http://blogs.phillymag.com/gphilly/2011/06/20/video-gaming-is-so-gay/ http://kotaku.com/5812460/the-struggles-of-a-gay-xcom-scientist http://www.elecplay.com/all/previews/xcom-interview-morgan-gray/ At what point does it even sound like they care for X-COM?
Considering X-COM: Alliance, which was reportedly in development since 1995 before being shuttered along with X-COM: Genesis by 2001, was endorsed by the original developers and was a First-Person Squad-based game, I don't get why people feel the need to bash on XCOM being an FPS as a betrayal to what makes X-COM, X-COM. I'm just glad that an XCOM FPS and an XCOM TBS are both being made at the moment, and I feel there's room for both, just like the Alliance/Genesis days of 1999.
1 Like @daub11 It's for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC @Tidal_Abyss Oh, it's not as bad as the FPS xcom that's for sure. Just look at how bad it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SH19sgisEk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqfH6E1YZNk Besides, maybe this will lead to better games. @Arch-Stanton Not sure. it would have been nice if you could see everything from a First person view (like Dungeon Keeper), but we can't have everything. I got some great new links if you care for them! :) http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/01/16/the-unsettling-music-of-xcom-enemy-unknown.aspx http://www.gaminglives.com/2012/01/16/xcom-enemy-unknown-a-look-ahead/
Multi-plat? No, not sold on this idea, I'll just remember the original fondly, and continue playing it. These companies, just need to let it r.i.p. -so tired of companies ruining classics, what happened to new, fresh, ORIGINAL ideas -of your own?!
@foojam Yes hope they make it for the Pc and then port it to console. @PodXCOM Nice new screenshots.There's one with a 3rd person combat view, I wonder if you can control them from that view point.
It should be pc exclusive but this is good news indeed, in days of crappy consolizes games we can hopefully play a true game.
so this whole new xcom, is it supposed to be a game system or just part of the xbox consoles.
"The XCOM universe is expanding," says 2K.
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