a surprisingly well done rehash of X-COM

[scherbchen]

is UFO: Extraterrestrials (wiki link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO:_Extraterrestrials)

the combat is basically the same as in ye olde original. no idea yet as far the tech tree goes (for some reason I am missing something in order to reseearch Plasma weapons). load times are fast and you can actually decide which way your cannon fodder, erm, soldiers develope when they level up.

spent about 5 hours on it today and I loved it. thought for a moment that it got a bit too easy at one point once I got an Alien Scanner. 30 minutes later I am down to fielding rookies who can't hit the broad side of a barn. well, actually that is about the only thing they can hit.

only thing that bothers me about this game is the fictional planet. what is wrong with defending Earth? totally going to restart the game tomorrow now that I have got the basics down. I need babes that can shoot the wings off of a flie and more scientists!

 

[Grisu]

it's not bad, I have to admit, but it does lack (IMHO) the atmosphere of the original, but so far the best offspin/remake IMHO. I played it for some time this winter when I finally had the time

Well, earth has already been destroyed/captured by the aliens so no point playing there

Spoiler for plasma weapons :

you need to capture a commander to research plasma weapons The easiest are snakemen commanders, since they're clearly recognizable by their different colour. I never managed to get a Chaser commander, and I don't think Halucinoids even have commanders. I have a tech tree around here somewhere...

 

[scherbchen]

ah, that helps. thanks

but you are right, the b-movie flair of the original is lacking.

 

[Grisu]

yeah, the scenarios just look a bit too sterile....no lovingly done farms, etc.

you'll have to capture quite a few commanders (12 in total, IIRC) to complete the tech tree. one thing that makes it harder is that you always have to stun them with non-lethal weapons. knocking them out with lethal guns by chance doesn't work here, when they fall over, they're always dead.

the accuracy of recruits really is atrocious remember to put some point in strength too, or they won't be able to use later guns/armour.