XCOM: Enemy Unknown

JD · 2013-10-09T23:35:53.000Z

If XCOM: EW delivers as much content as a classic expansion–and from the sound of it, it does–I’m all for that. There’s more value/content compared to what three standard DLC packs ($10 to 15 per update) tend to deliver these days. And you get it all in one package instead of smaller bits’n pieces.

jpinard · 2013-10-10T00:18:21.000Z

Did they ever say if they totally dumped the area spawn trigger mechanism for aliens? I loved the entire game except that one mechanic… which almost ruined the game for me as it made the battle maps feel so fake.

Balasarius · 2013-10-10T04:56:56.000Z

maxle:

It establishes no precedent, because it’s the model they used with Civilization IV and V. It’s not really 1:1, but this sure seems to have about as much content as a Civ expansion.

A fair point, except even Firaxis must realize the replay-ability of CIV is two orders of magnitude greater than XCOM. It’s not an apples-to-apples comparison.

Grifman · 2013-10-10T10:00:17.000Z

jpinard:

Did they ever say if they totally dumped the area spawn trigger mechanism for aliens? I loved the entire game except that one mechanic… which almost ruined the game for me as it made the battle maps feel so fake.

Yes, I have read that they fixed that issue.

Sepiche · 2013-10-10T10:13:43.000Z

Grifman:

Yes, I have read that they fixed that issue.

Do you remember where you read that or how they fixed it specifically? I’m not in the camp that thought it ruined the game, but it would definitely improve combat if they used a different mechanic.

JustinFletcher · 2013-10-10T10:34:33.000Z

Let me break-in to the expansion discussion to mention that the iOS version of XCOM:EU has added asynchronous multiplayer and is on sale for $9.99 (50% off). Let me know if anyone wants to try some asynch!

LordGek · 2013-10-10T10:51:51.000Z

Sepiche:

Do you remember where you read that or how they fixed it specifically? I’m not in the camp that thought it ruined the game, but it would definitely improve combat if they used a different mechanic.

Curious about this as well.

Balasarius · 2013-10-12T11:15:02.000Z

I can’t believe how fucking unstable this game is. So long after release. What, I have to buy the DLC in the hopes they fixed the crashes?

Unacceptable.

_Fury · 2013-10-12T11:23:06.000Z

The new iOS update fixed all of the bugs I’ve encountered, thankfully. I can’t speak to the other versions of the game.

MrPinguin · 2013-10-12T11:23:53.000Z

jpinard:

Did they ever say if they totally dumped the area spawn trigger mechanism for aliens? I loved the entire game except that one mechanic… which almost ruined the game for me as it made the battle maps feel so fake.

Would someone mind explaining/linking to a discussion of this?
I don’t know exactly what this means, and I couldn’t find it via google. Are you talking about the way enemy ‘patrols’ can teleport on top of your squad, or is this something different?

Giaddon · 2013-10-12T11:25:10.000Z

I think it’s a reference to the way the game populates the map when your squad passes certain triggers (opens a door, etc.) rather than all the aliens being on the map from turn 1.

Cl_Flushentityhero · 2013-10-12T11:25:28.000Z

EW is pretty pricey for what you get . . . But for more XCOM I’ll buy it.

Grifman · 2013-10-14T13:31:58.000Z

Sepiche:

Do you remember where you read that or how they fixed it specifically? I’m not in the camp that thought it ruined the game, but it would definitely improve combat if they used a different mechanic.

Sorry, I can’t but I clearly remember this being discussed as one of the enhancements to the game that the expansion delivers

Ok, found it here, see the end of the article:

Kotaku

XCOM Isn't Any Easier in Enemy Within, but It Is More Thrilling

You'd think being given not one, but two hulking mecha-soldiers, for whom cover is a moot point because they can't use it, would at least reduce the relentless battlefield tension that distinguishes XCOM. It doesn't.

WarrenD · 2013-10-14T13:57:31.000Z

Grifman:

Sorry, I can’t but I clearly remember this being discussed as one of the enhancements to the game that the expansion delivers

Ok, found it here, see the end of the article:

http://kotaku.com/xcom-isnt-any-easier-in-enemy-within-but-it-is-more-t-1244778141

Thanks for posting that Grifman, now I can’t wait for this expansion at any price.

inactive_user · 2013-10-14T14:34:03.000Z

Giaddon:

I think it’s a reference to the way the game populates the map when your squad passes certain triggers (opens a door, etc.) rather than all the aliens being on the map from turn 1.

Well thank goodness it doesn’t actually work that way then.

Giaddon · 2013-10-14T14:38:41.000Z

Adam B:

Well thank goodness it doesn’t actually work that way then.

What? It does. You can test it yourself by saving/loading during a battle. You’ll find different aliens.

MrPinguin · 2013-10-14T14:58:51.000Z

Grifman:

[QUOTE=Sepiche;3462208]Do you remember where you read that or how they fixed it specifically? I’m not in the camp that thought it ruined the game, but it would definitely improve combat if they used a different mechanic.

Sorry, I can’t but I clearly remember this being discussed as one of the enhancements to the game that the expansion delivers

Ok, found it here, see the end of the article:

http://kotaku.com/xcom-isnt-any-easier-in-enemy-within-but-it-is-more-t-1244778141[/QUOTE]
…Wait, the Kotaku article claims they’ve fixed the ‘teleport bug’, but I thought jpinard was asking about something else when he mentioned the "area spawn trigger mechanism". Are these the same thing?

The ‘teleport’ bug (as I understand it), refers to the phenomenon where enemy squads on patrol will jump from patrol point to patrol point without actually walking through the space in between, and that can lead to ridiculous situations where they magically appear in the middle or behind your squad, sometimes without triggering overwatch/reaction shots.

Grifman · 2013-10-14T15:21:10.000Z

MrPinguin:

…Wait, the Kotaku article claims they’ve fixed the ‘teleport bug’, but I thought jpinard was asking about something else when he mentioned the "area spawn trigger mechanism". Are these the same thing?

The ‘teleport’ bug (as I understand it), refers to the phenomenon where enemy squads on patrol will jump from patrol point to patrol point without actually walking through the space in between, and that can lead to ridiculous situations where they magically appear in the middle or behind your squad, sometimes without triggering overwatch/reaction shots.

So, then what’s the “area spawn trigger mechanism”? I thought they were the same but I could be mistaken. That said, the complaint I always heard about was teleporting aliens. Ran across it a couple of times myself and it was annoying to say the least.

MrCoffee · 2013-10-14T18:21:15.000Z

XCOM Wiki

Patch & Update (XCOM: Enemy Unknown)

A patch is a piece of software designed to update XCOM: Enemy Unknown by fixing bugs and improving the playability or performance. Note: A minor patch was released on 03/10/2014 to fix a key binding issue encountered by some players following this...

jpinard · 2013-10-14T21:16:35.000Z

What I’m referring to is how most of the aliens have specific “drop” locations when you hit a specific trigger on the map. So every time you re-play a map and move your guys to the same position, the aliens will spawn in nearly the same places. Reminds me a bit of monster closets in Doom 3.

What would be great is when you start a map, the aliens are already there. So as you move around the map, the aliens are doing their own thing (instead of waiting for you to hit a trigger, then you get the cut-scene of the aliens plopping down). It feels very artificial when you understand, “As soon as I hit that square, mobs appear”. One of the greatest things about the original XCom is never knowing where aliens might be or appear. To me, this is the single mechanic keeping the game from reaching the Throne of Greatness.