Starker on 22/2/2018 at 08:04
Er, XCOM is an iteration of X-COM, which was an iteration of Laser Squad. When I talked about XCOM clones, I meant the Firaxis reboot of X-COM.
Malf on 22/2/2018 at 08:50
Quote Posted by Starker
Er, XCOM is an iteration of X-COM, which was an iteration of Laser Squad
...which was an iteration of Rebel Star :p
Vicarious on 23/2/2018 at 23:08
It just feels uninspired. It goes beyond being influenced by XCOM, it's blatantly copying it, again, down to the interface and camera work. They're not even trying to differentiate it. I guess I expected something more unique from the creator of the original, rather than just doing exactly what Firaxis did so recently. So far it looks like a mod, it's not different enough and I personally don't think it's a good thing that you have to try really hard to spot the differences between this and XCOM2. It should be its own thing... and maybe it is but so far it doesn't look like it. That's what I think.
Starker on 24/2/2018 at 12:32
It's not that XCOM clone would be a bad thing, necessarily. Don't get me wrong, if I'll get a XCOM clone from this and it's a good game, I certainly won't be unhappy. It's just that I expect more.
faetal on 25/2/2018 at 10:40
The below video gives a better idea of the differences. Either way, I'd say that Firaxis nailed so much in updating the TBS UI language, that it would be ill-advised to spend too much energy doing certain things differently for the sake of it.
(
https://www.youtube.com/watch)
Vicarious on 7/3/2018 at 18:33
I'm late with this reply but I assume you meant this video?
[video=youtube;2uGPUaJvi_8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uGPUaJvi_8[/video]
Gotta say, while I still definitely think it's too similiar to Firaxis' XCOM, I like the changes, like moving one-tile at the time or how the cover works. Hopefully this little crack separating XCOM and PP will keep growing as they reveal more of the game.
Jason Moyer on 7/3/2018 at 21:22
That looks great. Have there been any videos of the strategic layer? That was the part I found mostly disappointing in XCOM.
faetal on 7/3/2018 at 21:35
Quote Posted by Vicarious
I'm late with this reply but I assume you meant this video?
That's the one. Seems my link got mangled.
I think it is similar to XCOM where it should be - in the general UI. Other genres have also settled into a standard UI format - it's a good thing which means that you don't need to spend time learning each new game from scratch - leaving you to jump straight in and enjoy the parts which make it unique. Also, trying to do things differently each time just to be different means you are less likely to get it right as often. Solomon's XCOM UI is great - it would be a waste to toss it just for the sake of being different. From what I see, it'll be different where it counts - in the gameplay.
Jason - from the interviews I've read, the strategic layer is planned as being more like a 4x game than new XCOM.
Starker on 28/3/2018 at 11:07
I do like the granular movement and obstacles in the line of sight interfering with shooting. Could use some free aim, though.
faetal on 1/5/2018 at 12:26
I'm playing the backer build of this. It's really good and it feels significantly different to Firaxis XCOM, despite making use of some of the same UI cues.
It's just the scripted level from the videos, plus a randomly generated level, all with the same 4 soldiers.
So far, so very good. Can't wait to see how it develops. The backer build is meant to be updated every 2 months, so I'll report in with updates.