XCOM Expansion to Allow Save-scumming

[BloatedGuppy]

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/10/16/xcom-expansion-grudgingly-acknowledges-save-scummers/#more-172770

I expect complaints about the wicked, cheating RNG will diminish by about 95%, despite many ardent claims from obvious save scummers that they "totally weren't save scumming" and that they seriously did miss eighteen 95% shots in a row.

Anyone happy about this? Or did most people bow to peer pressure and play on Iron Man in the end anyway in order to prove their digital testicular fortitude?

 

[Savagezion]

Iron Man here. It spanks me on Classic and the step below is way too easy on Iron Man. I will probably save scums some games on Classic before heading into Iron man on it. I think it is a good thing that they added it. It adds a middle ground for increasing difficulty.

 

[Pink Gregory]

Hell, as long as I can turn it off, I'm gon' be happy.

Shame Firaxis reneged on their original vision on that, though. But I suppose you could save scum in the original X-Com (far as I'm aware).

I suppose it can only be a good thing to have the choice there, I know iron man mode isn't/wasn't for everyone, long as it's still available, everyone's happy.

Actually, thinking about it, I've only recently started playing with iron man enabled, and I'm dreading encountering any bugs; like the one I encountered on the final mission that prevented me from actually entering the final 'room'. That normally wouldn't be a problem, but considering XCOM is known to be more than a little buggy...

 

[LetalisK]

and that they seriously did miss eighteen 95% shots in a row.

Well, they were probably right, but because they were fucking up the savescumming. XCOM generates a number for the next action, so if you save, you're just saving that number and will end up missing in perpetuity if you just mash quick save and quick load. You have to reload, do some other action, then continue on to possibly get a different result. At least, that's how I've savescummed.

Or did most people bow to peer pressure and play on Iron Man in the end anyway in order to prove their digital testicular fortitude?

Nope. I don't think I've ever enjoyed a hardcore mode.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Iron Man here. It spanks me on Classic and the step below is way too easy on Iron Man. I will probably save scums some games on Classic before heading into Iron man on it. I think it is a good thing that they added it. It adds a middle ground for increasing difficulty.

True. You now have Classic w/save scumming for people who found vanilla Classic too steep a jump from Normal.

Like you, I found Normal atrociously easy, and even Classic got too easy once you had a handle on things. I do wish there was an option for Classic rules with Impossible enemy numbers.

 

[LetalisK]

Iron Man here. It spanks me on Classic and the step below is way too easy on Iron Man. I will probably save scums some games on Classic before heading into Iron man on it. I think it is a good thing that they added it. It adds a middle ground for increasing difficulty.

True. You now have Classic w/save scumming for people who found vanilla Classic too steep a jump from Normal.

Like you, I found Normal atrociously easy, and even Classic got too easy once you had a handle on things. I do wish there was an option for Classic rules with Impossible enemy numbers.

If you wanted to get frisky with a hex editor, it's not an impossible task. Assuming you're talking PC version. You can go into the XCOM files and edit how many aliens spawn by difficulty and mission type. A built-in option would be much more convenient, though.

Edit: Actually, I guess there is a much more convenient way that involves changing the difficulty before and after a mission starts. Makes sense.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Edit: Actually, I guess there is a much more convenient way that involves changing the difficulty before and after a mission starts. Makes sense.

I *believe* that sticks you with Impossible health levels, does it not? Or is that a misapprehension on my part?

I'd stopped playing the game before the mod scene got really lively, alas.

 

[The Madman]

I tried playing on Classic Ironman difficulty after having beaten the campaign on normal and finding it a bit too easy, but that bug where groups of alien could spawn from a shadow the size of a tack nail in the middle of my squad was just too much for me. As far as I'm aware that spawning bug hasn't been fixed yet either, so it damned well better be in the new expansion.

Otherwise as long as there's the ability to turn it off I don't mind developers giving some leeway to those unwilling to play Ironman mode.

 

[DementedSheep]

I save scummed on first play through of XCOM, I actually like that you couldn't just keep reloading until a shot hit because it forces you to try something else and learn to migrate damage you can?t avoid. It still cheating but it?s cheating you learn from.
I?m playing on ironman now and am enjoying it even though I've had some colossal fuckups and randomly spawning enemies out of thin air next to my squad a few times which pissed me off (this seems more common on classic than normal).
When I eventually get the expansion I probably won?t play it on ironman (at least not at first, my achievement whoreness will likely compel me to eventually) but I?ll restrict myself to one save at the start of the month so I can load back if I really screw myself over but can?t use it to cheat the combat.
I don?t mind that option for savescumming is there. It?s just an option. Though for people who do save scum while its tempting I would recommend at least trying to do it without that. You can screw up and lose soldiers in this game without losing he whole game and it?s more satisfying to win when it?s not just from constantly rerolling.

 

[LetalisK]

Edit: Actually, I guess there is a much more convenient way that involves changing the difficulty before and after a mission starts. Makes sense.

I *believe* that sticks you with Impossible health levels, does it not? Or is that a misapprehension on my part?

I'd stopped playing the game before the mod scene got really lively, alas.

I don't think so. Your difficulty at the time of recruitment dictates their health level, but all this talk has got me more interesting in playing it, so I'll test it out and see what happens. I'm going to try Normal difficulty with Impossible alien numbers.

Edit: And actually, now that I think about it, my last XCOM game was hardcore. I didn't use Ironman, since I was afraid of bugs and glitches, but I never reloaded because of what happened in the game. I also remember having fun. Maybe I should try the hardcore thing again.

 

[DustyDrB]

I play on Iron Man anyway.

People might say the RNG cheats, but I haven't really experienced it that way. Sure, it can seem unfair, but that's the nature of RNG. When things do go your way, however, it's really satisfying.

Spoiler: Examples

I was on a terror mission, and things were going ok. Then, with only one other person left to move, one of my people runs straight into a sectopod with his second move. Oh dear. Sectopod stomps about a bit, so he has a reasonable shot at my most damage characters. I quickly check which character still hasn't moved. A shotgun assault. I can run and gun, but the closest I could get was still too far away. I try anyway, run my assault to the cover closest to the sectopod, and select rapid fire. 5% chance to hit. I take the shot anyway.

Both shots hit. Sectopod is almost down.

Another example would be when as the last character to move in my turn, I rush ahead with with one of my shotgun assaults into a room that I thought I had cleared. Turns out, there was a group of elite mutons hiding around the corner. One runs off, and the other two instantly walk into point-blank range of my assault, fire, and miss. Combat reflexes and RNG saved my hide there once more.

To me, iron man just seems like the way to go. It makes the game much more interesting.

My problems mostly arose from expecting to have a shot on an enemy after I moved into position, only to find that I somehow did not have a shot.

OT: Maybe I used to would get mad about this, but meh. Play how you want. Iron Man is always there. After having just gone through a Fire Emblem game for the first time, I have a feeling XCOM: EU won't seem so hard anymore.

 

[Altorin]

I just started playing xcom recently when it came on Steam sale recently, and even though I don't technically play on Iron Man, I tend to play it Iron Man style.. having Team members die and have those deaths be meaningful and interesting is part of the fun of the game. Save Scumming isn't really on my radar... I've only just started playing the game though, so I'm still getting the hang of it and I didn't want to step into Iron Man before ever having played it at all.. Maybe I'll turn it on the next time I start a new game.

 

[MammothBlade]

Iron Man here. It spanks me on Classic and the step below is way too easy on Iron Man. I will probably save scums some games on Classic before heading into Iron man on it. I think it is a good thing that they added it. It adds a middle ground for increasing difficulty.

I had to redo the first mission several times on classic ironman. Still, once you have the experience, you know to be patient, and never send in soldiers without backup. I can't do it without ironman. It's a question at first not of winning, but how long you can survive.

 

[Bertylicious]

I am addicted to save scumming, but in my defense I am allergic to things going wrong.

Incidentally, do other people think that the XCom: Enemy Within is overpriced for what you get?

 

[Phrozenflame500]

Anyone happy about this? Or did most people bow to peer pressure and play on Iron Man in the end anyway in order to prove their digital testicular fortitude?

Screw you guys and your internet man-shaming (because we all know that's what you really mean and were totally not joking at all), when my soldiers die I want them to stay dead dammit!

Seriously though, I've never experienced the RNG "cheat" on me before. I believe I missed a few ~80% shots, but at the same time I've also hit a few ~20% shots as well. And most of the big fuck-ups that matter were actually my fault and not arbitrary bad luck.

Incidentally, do other people think that the XCom: Enemy Within is overpriced for what you get?

Two new upgrade options for soldiers, two new alien types, new customization options, a new tech tree, a scripted series of missions (Operation Progeny), new Second Wave options, a complete revamp to balance, 50% more new maps, a new gamemode with multiple new enemy units (EXALT), a base-defense mission...

Seems worth the $30 to me.

 

[mad825]

Anyone happy about this? Or did most people bow to peer pressure and play on Iron Man in the end anyway in order to prove their digital testicular fortitude?

Grrr, damn those save scummers because....You know, save sucmmerz!!!!!

I don't really see a problem here, they're giving players more choice. What's wrong with that?...Well, elitist gamers might but no surprise there.

 

[Sixcess]

I just picked up XCOM when it was on sale on Steam recently, and for me it's got to be Iron Man. For me at least I think the game would be a lot less exciting if death wasn't irrevocable. As it is I'm already on the edge of my seat when my guys come under heavy fire.

Well, except for the rookies, since their main job is to dash forward and find aliens.

Of course I daresay my dedication to perma-death will be put to the test somewhat the first time I lose an entire squad...

 

[BQE]

Two new upgrade options for soldiers, two new alien types, new customization options, a new tech tree, a scripted series of missions (Operation Progeny), new Second Wave options, a complete revamp to balance, 50% more new maps, a new gamemode with multiple new enemy units (EXALT), a base-defense mission...

Seems worth the $30 to me.

I appreciate this information, I'll keep an eye on it and most likely pick it up later, or sooner if it's on sale.

I only recently cleared the game on baddie mode.