Rock, Paper, Shotgun includes original X-COM/UFO in list of Best 122 Games of Last 22 Years.
Note the author's concluding comment about X-COM:
Well said.Sometimes, I must admit, all I really want from gaming is a re-release of this with a modern interface. I don’t need new graphics or new units or improved AI or a first-person-perspective. I just want to play this, forever.
How can you have a "modern interface" without "new graphics"? I know what he means, but why even bother with a new interface? If it still has the same graphics, then what is the point of a new interface? Just play the first game!
Modern interfaces give you more information at a glance, and are often customizable so the player can show or hide certain details. The interface could be reworked with the same graphics but with a better layout and new text. There are many examples in X-COM where the information is spread over many screens (like pre-battle epuipment) where it could all be placed on one screen now. Give me the option to mulitple select soldiers. Show on the battlescape the throwing arc of a grenade so I can tell why I'm unable to throw there (because I'm hitting the wing of the Skyranger). I shouldn't have to switch screens to see my guy's throwing accuracy, then switch to another to see if he has a grenade, then another to see how many time units it will take to throw it. I would also move the "Dust-off" button further away from the "Next-Turn" button.
Do you people even realize how many spectacular directions an X-com remake could go?
No, i don't want just a new interface and new graphics. I want a complete remake in the true spirit of the original.
I want the technicalities of the first three games together and add some more.
The old X-com needed some serious rebuilding, to fill all the holes, especially story-wise.
X-com could have been such a great FP tactical shooter amongst other options. The very thought of owning aliens in next gen graphics and AI improvements, swat style makes my ☺☺☺☺☺ tingle. A story driven tactical shooter, with strategic management. Air combat should be present, but it wouldn't require much more complexity that the first two games and don't tell me 30+ man team couldn't recreate the original air combat. Seriously, just make it more graphical and give it a few more options, so we're not just spectators. Apocalypse's air combat was great, but i'd be content with the level of the first two games.
The main focus should be on tactical combat first and management second. The managment part was present in all 4 games and it was done decent enough, so don't tell me it is not achievable by today's means.
FP tactical combat...well, if they did 4 Swat games, they could have done this either.
This is what breaks my heart the most...2k had all the resources, all the elements were known and yet they go into a complete and utter ridiculous directions.
Making an X-com remake would be one of the most achievable projects in recent gaming industries history...why in god's name have you screwed it big time 2k? why?
I'm all for taking the core of what made X-COM great and expanding it. But I think it is noteworthy that so many X-COM fans including the quoted reviewer have indicated how they would be happy with a simple face-lift. That speaks volumes about how enjoyable the game was and still is. People keep playing it despite the holes and the very dated interface. It is still fun.
I, too, am hoping for a remake or two along the lines of the proposed X-COM:Alliance and X-COM:Genesis games. I agree with you that there are amazing possibilities to expand X-COM and I still hope that it happens.
A complete remake would be the ideal "really wish it would happen" scenario.Originally Posted by AlphaCent
Just a new interface and updated graphics is the "acceptable" scenario.
Alphacent, knock it off man! You are making me think to much of all the awesome possibilities....Argh!
Those ideas sounds really good to me! I actually was getting flashes of something like ALIENS when the xenomorpth attack the marines. Imagine clearing pitch black corridors and have an insectoid spring up at you and fire a plasma burst, eeeee!
And what really makes that concept scary is that each insectoid has the ability the queen does, and it works so much faster. Yikes!
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote