XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

[ImTellinTim]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

Don't mind the timed missions myself, it's a fun new twist. And besides, they throw in plenty of old style missions as well. Maybe the most fun are the hybrid missions where you have a certain amount of time to get to an objective but then have unlimited time to clear out all enemies.

While I understand that fans of the last game are mad there are so many, we also get units that can move around without being seen! Learning the true powers and use of the stealth ranger has been fun.

Now, has anyone gotten the event where the UFO finds you?

Spoiler

Pure insanity! I'm pretty sure losing it is game over, but I don't know because I fended them off quite well. I only lost 1 rookie when it was all said and done. By the end I had something like 12 soldiers out in the field, and the game attacked me with every enemy that had been introduced thus far plus a Berserker, which I hadn't seen yet. At first it looked bad, but then I got the upper hand with favorable terrain. I wouldn't recommend ever letting that event trigger if you can help it. However, if you end up with it and win, you kill about 30 enemies and your troops' levels skyrocket. At first I was thinking, "welp, there goes Ironman try #1", but it ended up being "holy ****, this just instantly became a doable start!"

[pdandy]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

My latest Ironman Veteran game has ended.

Downfall started with a missed blade strike which made me take another failed risk to save the Ranger. Left two of my top guys wide open and AI got 2 crits on them. Followed this up with a Very Difficult Retaliation mission which was a Beserker/Muton fest.

At least I'm learning and getting better though... Contacted most of Africa and Europe whereas before I would probably land maybe 3 contacts and die. Still learning how to take FULL advantage of concealment but was able to set up a few traps this playthrough. I also realize I'm not making the best use of defensive abilities: Specialist's Aid Protocol and remote Hack abilities and Smoke Grenade. I think generally I need to start exploring the other equpment. I usually only buy
- Medkit
- Gas Grenade
- Smoke Grenade
- Skulljack
- Weapons and Armor

Would love to hear you guys' equipment tips and combos.

[Gotmadskillzson]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

One thing I love about this game is that no 2 games play the same. What missions and maps you see are completely random. On my 3rd play through, I restarted 3 times so far, I noticed this. My missions now are a little bit more manageable and a few of the maps have been very small, some been very large.

Compared to my 1st play through where every mission I had was timed with 3 to 4 waves of enemies. My second play through every map I was on was very large and I had 3 VIP escort missions. So yeah how easy or hard your play through is completely random. You might end up with very hard missions from the start or you might end up with easy short missions at the start. Might have a lot of timed missions in a row, you might not have any timed missions for your 1st 6 missions.

When you see certain types of aliens is completely random too. My 3rd play through I am seeing a lot of advanced aliens from the start. Where as my 1st two play through I didn't see those aliens that early into the game at all.

[ChicagoChris]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

Not seeing the huge perf issues others are seeing. I have a better than average CPU and a below average GPU (R9 270). I turned AA off and i usually play without much of an framerate dip. Cutscenes seem locked at 30fps and the loadout section, as others have stated, hammers my rig. Other than that, perfomance is solid. I am sure that driver and patches will fix the inconsistencies.

The gameplay is insane. Mission 2, i had 4 team members get smoked and barely got out with 1 surviving. If you are looking for a challenge, XCOM2 is it. It hits hard. You really have to think to play this game.

[bcruise]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

Don't mind the timed missions myself, it's a fun new twist. And besides, they throw in plenty of old style missions as well. Maybe the most fun are the hybrid missions where you have a certain amount of time to get to an objective but then have unlimited time to clear out all enemies.

While I understand that fans of the last game are mad there are so many, we also get units that can move around without being seen! Learning the true powers and use of the stealth ranger has been fun.

Now, has anyone gotten the event where the UFO finds you?

Spoiler

Pure insanity! I'm pretty sure losing it is game over, but I don't know because I fended them off quite well. I only lost 1 rookie when it was all said and done. By the end I had something like 12 soldiers out in the field, and the game attacked me with every enemy that had been introduced thus far plus a Berserker, which I hadn't seen yet. At first it looked bad, but then I got the upper hand with favorable terrain. I wouldn't recommend ever letting that event trigger if you can help it. However, if you end up with it and win, you kill about 30 enemies and your troops' levels skyrocket. At first I was thinking, "welp, there goes Ironman try #1", but it ended up being "holy ****, this just instantly became a doable start!"

Yeah, the concealment mechanic really balances out the timer imo. As long as you're careful and use both stages of your movement separately (checking blind corners before you dash in other words), you can cover large distances towards the objective and still be perfectly safe, out of their line of sight. It was really unsafe to do that in the first XCOM because you'd be left out of cover if you triggered an enemy group and ended a turn out in the open.

I watched a stream today that was a hack objective on 8 turns, and was on Legend/Ironman. It was as deliberate as any mission that streamer does (he's VERY good at this game and prioritizes minimizing his risks). He went through Vipers, a mech and several Advent troopers and still had 2 turns left when he hacked the objective and the timer went off.

[ImTellinTim]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

Yeah, the concealment mechanic really balances out the timer imo. As long as you're careful and use both stages of your movement separately (checking blind corners before you dash in other words), you can cover large distances towards the objective and still be perfectly safe, out of their line of sight. It was really unsafe to do that in the first XCOM because you'd be left out of cover if you triggered an enemy group and ended a turn out in the open.

I watched a stream today that was a hack objective on 8 turns, and was on Legend/Ironman. It was as deliberate as any mission that streamer does (he's VERY good at this game and prioritizes minimizing his risks). He went through Vipers, a mech and several Advent troopers and still had 2 turns left when he hacked the objective and the timer went off.

Been toying with stealth strategies. I haven't been able to pull it off yet, but I'd like to do a mission where a shot is never fired. If you get lucky with patrol patterns and hacking, it seems totally plausible. I like to make an ambush in the first couple of turns though. The last thing I need is a patrol I went by earlier coming back up behind me when I engage another group.

[SoxFan01605]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

Yeah, the concealment mechanic really balances out the timer imo. As long as you're careful and use both stages of your movement separately (checking blind corners before you dash in other words), you can cover large distances towards the objective and still be perfectly safe, out of their line of sight. It was really unsafe to do that in the first XCOM because you'd be left out of cover if you triggered an enemy group and ended a turn out in the open.

I watched a stream today that was a hack objective on 8 turns, and was on Legend/Ironman. It was as deliberate as any mission that streamer does (he's VERY good at this game and prioritizes minimizing his risks). He went through Vipers, a mech and several Advent troopers and still had 2 turns left when he hacked the objective and the timer went off.

You have a link for that streamer? I'd like to check it out. Thanks!

[bcruise]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

You have a link for that streamer? I'd like to check it out. Thanks!

Check your PM.

[DocHolliday]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

I played a lot of Xcom 1, would you guys recommend normal for a play through?


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[Gotmadskillzson]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

I played a lot of Xcom 1, would you guys recommend normal for a play through?


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Normal in Xcom 2 is like Legendary in Xcom 1. That is exactly what it feels like to me.

[ImTellinTim]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

I played a lot of Xcom 1, would you guys recommend normal for a play through?


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Most definitely for your first one. You have to re-program yourself because some of the things that worked in those games are poor strategy in this one.

[Candyman5]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

I played a lot of Xcom 1, would you guys recommend normal for a play through?


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I played and loved Xcom 1 but to be honest the timing missions made me not even want to buy the game at all now.

Tried it out at a friends house and its just stupid. I hate them. Reminds me of Dead Rising with them.

Sad because games like this and Valkyria Chronicals are some of my favorites.

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[Dogslax41]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

I played and loved Xcom 1 but to be honest the timing missions made me not even want to buy the game at all now.

Tried it out at a friends house and its just stupid. I hate them. Reminds me of Dead Rising with them.

Sad because games like this and Valkyria Chronicals are some of my favorites.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

I really disliked them in XCOM: EU/EW because it was a different game that required different strategies. This is another animal entirely. Strategies required this time are completely different and fit with the timer style they have created. I'm personally glad they chose to make a sequel that was not just a graphically superior expansion pack and something that challenges you in new ways. Other wise all the experience I got playing EU/EW would just let me run through this game with ease.

[Candyman5]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

I really disliked them in XCOM: EU/EW because it was a different game that required different strategies. This is another animal entirely. Strategies required this time are completely different and fit with the timer style they have created. I'm personally glad they chose to make a sequel that was not just a graphically superior expansion pack and something that challenges you in new ways. Other wise all the experience I got playing EU/EW would just let me run through this game with ease.

Im pretty sure I had a mod that increased the timer in EU. I dont remember having a problem with them.

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[DocHolliday]

re: XCOM 2 (PC/PS4/XB1)

In case anyone is wondering about their machine being able to run this, I'm running it on a 512 MB graphics card and it's fine. I should mention that I have tolerance for a graphical hiccup here and there. But animations and cut scenes aren't the point of this game. Actual gameplay is not affected.

I should also mention that I'm on OS X and my processor meets the recommended specs.

Tim I posted this earlier but not sure if you saw.

I'm rocking a late 2011 MB Pro with the 525 MB AMD GFX card. Mind telling me your other specs so I can gauge if I should get it?

Thanks man.


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