🚀 go-pugleaf

Solice wrote....

<Big snip on issues>

    As I see it, almost any game which has a 'strategic' element to it
incorporates cut scenes and cinematic, so it would be a case following the
trend.  It would just accommodate the XCOM myth.
    Subversion by the aliens, as well as bureaucrats meddling in a subject
they have no idea about would be interesting - heck, anything which develops
the XCOM universe would be excellent, if done in an intelligent and well
thought out way.  I keep thinking of the X-Files when discussing these cut
scenes - the half seen plots and developments, dialogue heavy with implied
greater machinations....
    XCOM struggles to combat not only the alien menance, but the
indifference of the world governments and bureaucrats, which could, and IMO
should be emphasised more dramatically.  There were some decent stories
which fans wrote back in the days when you could find a decent XCOM website.
_If_ this remake project is genuine, it would be interesting to see if there
could be some kind of democratic system to allow the fans to dictate the
flow of the new game and its background stories and plots.

    I found the anime style of the original... interesting, although not
necessarily adding anything to the game.  I found the original didn't really
do anything for me - I've never completed a single mission.  I only have the
floppy versions of UFO and TFTD, so I can't say how the animated intro of
TFTD looks.  Anyway, IMO, I feel the best way to reflect the XCOM universe
is to avoid the 'cartoony' style altogether and get down the the gritty
struggle of battle and show a more 'realistic' attitude to the XCOM
universe, which, I would hope, endear the players more, as it reflects the
world as we know it in a true way. In as far as it is possible, of course.
    Just to deviate, Aliens, the movie with the introduction of the marines
was IMO the best of the follow ups to the original film.  The gritty realism
made for endearing characters, plot etc etc.  That kind of realism would
work well in the XCOM universe and the cinematics, IMHO.


    Yeah, the GDI interface was and is classic - I have yet to see it
bettered.  The UFOpedia, graphs and funding charts could be combined into an
animated interface, with the ability to chart possible alien sites manually,
based on activity.  Actually, the globe should be the fundamental interface
with various overlays describing activity and hot spots.  Using the charts
was useful, but I never really used them when I first got the game!  I would
like to see the analysis show up on the globe as well as implementing the
charts.
    And you are absolutely right in keeping a consistent approach the XCOM!


    As for the 'Keep you guessing' element of the game and it's removal - no
way, I didn't mean it, if that's how it came across.  Ultimately, the bug
hunts were the stable income of XCOM, so they are obviously where the main
action will lie.  However, primary and secondary priorities could be listed
in missions, depending on its requirements.  Getting the Lobsterman
commander/Navigator, or trying to collect a live specimen of each race and
rank would be worth considering.  After all, this were objectives, just not
really outlined, more a case of found out as you played.
    As an aside, it would or may be interesting to see a bit of XCOM dirty
work - justified naturally by circumstances.  Rescuing hostages, or
experiment subjects... risking inflitration - no way!  Or how about dealing
with possible politicians, or countries which side with the aliens - as in
XCOM-A.  Diplomacy and public relations take priority here and may be worth
discussing?


    Can't comment on the original aliens in UFO, but I know people did like
the 'big black things with claws'!?  Personally, the Greys should stay,
other than original creatures I dunno.  I personally liked the Deep Ones in
TFTD, although they were limited by lack of weapon carrying abilities.
Lobstermen were a bitch, but graphically, I don't think I'm too fussed about
keeping any of the original aliens from TFTD.  Some cameo appearances may be
nice though!
    I think with the current tech levels we have for gaming, we could see
some interesting new species, hopefully.  Also, the look obvious inspires
our feelings toward the creature - if it looks menacing, then you come to
know how bad things could get when dealing with it.  XCOM-A took the
credibilty out of the alien threat by making them look laughable.

    The use of 'virtual bases' was meant as a focus for players, not
neccessarily linked to your own physical geographical location.  Europe,
Asia, Soviet and US bases would occomodate anyone, for example.  The idea
would be to give a) gamers some 'home turf' to protect, and b) allow the use
of virtual bases to allow players to chat etc, much in the same way as
battle.net does, but with the added bonus of allowing multiplayer games,
either co-op or against one another in a virtual battle field, not against
real foes [although this would still be available].  Think of them as
training bases as well as regular XCOM bases.  They could display hot spots
for the area they cover.  Hmm.... as another though on these bases, maybe it
would be possible to upgrade them through completed missions and objectives,
much as in game.  I know this could be abused by gamers using multiple
characters, but with decent registration, this could be worked out....
possibly?

Terror missions can and still are a real pain, but in the best possible way,
IMHO.  I recently played a terror mission on a cargo ship, early in the
game, with no psi defense capabilities.  On the deck of the cargo ships are
boxes and barrels where either aliens or civilains like to hide.  Well, I
threw a sonic pulser in between to deal with any possible surprises, but
also found a Tasoth with a Thermal Shock Launcher [TSL], standing down by
the ladder to the next level.  I tried about a dozen times to get that
bastard, and every time he wiped out my entire crew... I gave up and went
back to a previous game in the end.  But it was difficult to justify going
back to another previous game, but also to allow that SOB to take me down.
It was a hard choice, as I had been playing without going back to save
killed agents - this incident left a bitter taste in my mouth - it was a no
win scenario, which I didn't like dealing with, especially since my losses
were minimal up until that time.
    Lower decks are fun, especially the kitchen on the cruise liner!
Obviously, if you get those bloody Bio-Drones, then big shit is gonna
happen!  I found the tend to explode at times, even with a TSL taking them
down.


    Pysonics are just personal preferences.  I would not personally mind if
this feature was removed from the game, but that's just how I feel about it.
TFTD became too easy when Disruptor Launchers and MC Disruptors are
available.  Just send out the SWS and have a look for any aliens then zap
them with the mind control troops.  I guess at this stage though, that the
psi factor has become a part of the XCOM world, so looks likely to stay.


    Playing the part of the aliens would, IMHO, take away some of the
mystery surrounding their abilities.  After awhile, if it was possible to
play aliens, people would just know how to deal with them and either avoid
or walk over them - for now, it takes time and experience with knowing how
best to deal with certain species.  It would take away something for me.  I
can see the possibility of abuse of this feature, as is human nature to do
so, which would really spoil some of the XCOM myth.  But then again, I could
be wrong.

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