XCOM: Enemy Within Trailer Unleashes the War Machines

[Andy Chalk]

XCOM: Enemy Within Trailer Unleashes the War Machines

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A new kind of enemy demands a new kind of soldier.

The big giggle in XCOM: Enemy Within, the "standlone expansion" to last year's hit XCOM: Enemy Unknown, appears to be the addition of a new resource called Meld, a kind of pseudo-magic "stuff" that allows players to biologically or cybernetically enhance their soldiers to give them a better chance against new and even deadlier enemies. Basically, it looks like you'll turn your guys into a bunch of giant fighting robots or load them up with telepathic mojo - always handy in a fight.

The trailer doesn't say much about what Enemy Within will actually be like and viewers unfamiliar with the franchise could be forgiven for thinking that it's a third-person shooter, or perhaps an RTS. But no worries - we have that base covered, as Josh Vanderwall spent some time with the game at PAX and wrote all about it here [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/previews/10562-PAX-2013-XCOM-Enemy-Within-Hands-On-Preview]. It has fewer explosions but more information, which I think under the circumstances is a good trade.

Completely different games though they may be, the whole thing gives me a real Deus Ex vibe: Gunther Hermann and JC Denton together again, but this time without all the existential angst - unless that's in there too. Now that would be cool.

XCOM: Enemy Within comes out on November 12 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.


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[nuba km]

its coming out in november, but I'll still be playing pokemon then. Damn these first world problems.

 

[lancar]

This is more XCOM, and therefore I need it. Badly.

They'd have to botch this up something fierce for me to not buy it.

 

[Legion]

If this comes with a patch to fix some of the remaining issues then it will probably be enough to get me back into XCom. I really like the game but the problems it occasionally runs into can be enough to make anyone rage quit.

I can't say I got a Deus Ex vibe in the slightest though.

 

[Sean Kay]

I wish there was more campaign content that came with this. I like all the new features, but I've already finished XCom. I don't want to spend 30 bucks just to finish the same game with a few new toys.

There's no new content we know of so far. The new trailer already confirmed at least one extra enemy that Firaxis haven't even mentioned yet. I would be very surprised if there isn't a lot more to come. If nothing else, the fact its Enemy Within hints we might be fighting humans, or maybe see the return of base defence modes

 

[Bindal]

If this comes with a patch to fix some of the remaining issues then it will probably be enough to get me back into XCom. I really like the game but the problems it occasionally runs into can be enough to make anyone rage quit.

Changes and fixes are coming. Some skills get rebalanced or even changed entirely. Currently known list:
http://www.ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=XCOM:_Enemy_Within_%28EU2012%29

 

[kajinking]

If this comes with a patch to fix some of the remaining issues then it will probably be enough to get me back into XCom. I really like the game but the problems it occasionally runs into can be enough to make anyone rage quit.

Changes and fixes are coming. Some skills get rebalanced or even changed entirely. Currently known list:
http://www.ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=XCOM:_Enemy_Within_%28EU2012%29

Just read and I like what I see, this doesn't appear to just be a few new items and like 12 new maps but a more complete package. Still I'm not sure if I'm ready to toss out 30$ for it, I'll pick it up at the steam sale probably.

 

[Mumorpuger]

Me as an American: "What the hell is the 15th month? Smarch? Lousy Smarch weather..."

 

[Teoes]

I've had XCOM hankerings lately, but CBA with another playthrough of EU with other games that need to be played. Between this and Xenonauts though I think I'll be doing ok.

Mech needs more Elbow Rocket.

 

[Alfador_VII]

This looks like it fixes some stuff, adds pointless mechs and Meld.

Wonder if it comes out ahead or not?

 

[bjj hero]

I think a lttle bit of wee just came out. Im seriously excited about this. We cannot have too much xcom.

 

[Waaghpowa]

More Xcom?

With Mechs?

Cybernetcis?

November?

Supposedly they're fixing things like the flanking mechanic this time around.

 

[otakon17]

I'm sorry but I started giggling like a school girl at the end when it showed the MEC just slamming that Sectoid MEC with the giant hydraulic fist. I'm sold, I just hope that we don't have to start over again to access it.

 

[Quazimofo]

I'm sorry but I started giggling like a school girl at the end when it showed the MEC just slamming that Sectoid MEC with the giant hydraulic fist. I'm sold, I just hope that we don't have to start over again to access it.

It's an expandalone, so you probably need to start a new game to get the new shiny bits.

 

[Nuttydwarf]

this no touch my X-Com. this bad expansion pack

-Must rush or have your units destroyed by waves of enemies (maps have a time limit now, then waves of tougher enemies start rushing you).
-still does not let you have second sky ranger.
-does not increase the amount of units/ troops
-Must rush or lose all of the "new" resource and be able to get the new toys.
-very anti-turtle expansion (I like playing as a turtle and I hate games where I'm forced to rush.)

+ new maps
+ new toys

 

[deth2munkies]

this no touch my X-Com. this bad expansion pack

-Must rush or have your units destroyed by waves of enemies (maps have a time limit now, then waves of tougher enemies start rushing you).
-still does not let you have second sky ranger.
-does not increase the amount of units/ troops
-Must rush or lose all of the "new" resource and be able to get the new toys.
-very anti-turtle expansion (I like playing as a turtle and I hate games where I'm forced to rush.)

+ new maps
+ new toys

Turtling takes no skill, you just press overwatch and hope, clearing levels quickly without losing people takes much more skill and planning.

I'll buy this so long as it's not full price. "Expandalones" sometimes decide to go full price point and I'm not spending that when I own the base game that's good enough for me.

 

[DjinnFor]

Turtling takes no skill, you just press overwatch and hope, clearing levels quickly without losing people takes much more skill and planning.

Turtling is literally made mandatory on higher difficulties by XCOM's terrible design. Clearing levels quickly without losing people is a contradiction in terms.

Re: OT

I'll be avoiding this one. The base game is bad enough that I can't see myself dropping another $30-40 on it.

 

[deth2munkies]

Turtling takes no skill, you just press overwatch and hope, clearing levels quickly without losing people takes much more skill and planning.

Turtling is literally made mandatory on higher difficulties by XCOM's terrible design. Clearing levels quickly without losing people is a contradiction in terms.

Re: OT

I'll be avoiding this one. The base game is bad enough that I can't see myself dropping another $30-40 on it.

That's why you don't play impossible, it's not hard, it's just aliens with a bunch of extra stats for no reason.