Thinking about playing X-Com for the first time?

[debaser]

I'm going to create a help thread for those going back to play the original X-Com for the first time. If there's enough people needing help, I'll set up a bit of an FAQ. I've had to install and play X-Com on so many different PCs over the years that I've become a bit of an expert at coaxing the old girl into working.

• A good place to start is the Steam version of the original X-Com: UFO Defense (originally called UFO: Enemy Unknown outside the US), currently $4.99. Steer clear of the other X-Com games for now.
  
  
• Combine it with the Ufo Extender mods outlined in this thread: http://forums.steampowered.com/forum....php?t=1146530 and you'll get a slightly spruced up experience, correcting some minor glitches found in the original game, and making the old graphics a bit easier on the eyes. You can even play it in high resolution, in a window. This also smooths out timing issues and many other problems that can arise from trying to run such an old game on a new PC. The Ufo extender patch is highly configurable through the included *.ini file. It's pretty straightforward, but feel free to ask if you need any help.
  
  
• You should also download the superior MP3 music from the PSX version of the game, available in the same thread.

[I-ChooseTheImpossible]

I've just got the game from my Uncle, no idea how to get it to run in Vista. Any tips?

[FtRapture]

I am not sure how it would play out today, it is a fantastic game but at least for me it is hard to get into older games if I have never played them.

I haven't tried running it lately but I would imagine you would run into quite a few issues. You could try running it in compatibility mode for an older version of windows. Problem is back in the early 90s Windows wasn't a stand alone operating system, just a program that ran through DOS so many of these games were DOS games and may have issues running.

2k does sell most of the X-Com titles on Steam which are made for Windows so you would have more luck going that route than trying to run an original version.

Other Xcom titles to hunt down:

X-COM: UFO Defense (original)
Terror from the Deep
Apocalypse
Interceptor

[debaser]

I've just got the game from my Uncle, no idea how to get it to run in Vista. Any tips?

It definitely won't work 'out of the box' so to speak, but I was able to get it running perfectly on Vista, XP, and Win 7.

Firstly, go to the thread I linked in my original post, and follow the instructions there to add the mod/patch. They should be pretty clear. They're focused on the steam version of the game, but it works equally well with the original retail version that I use.

Let me know how it goes.

[debaser]

Other Xcom titles to hunt down:

X-COM: UFO Defense (original)
Terror from the Deep
Apocalypse
Interceptor

I would strongly recommend playing the original X-Com: Ufo Defense (called UFO: Enemy Unknown outside the US). If you love it, and you probably will, then you might want to think about Terror from the Deep, which is essentially a remake with a different setting and drastically increased difficulty. Apocalypse is a very different game, but some might like it. I wouldn't recommend Interceptor to anyone.

[Gimli]

Get the Steam version and the first 3 will run out of the box. If you are one of the few people having problems, drop in to the Steam's X-COM forum and we'll try to help you out. (I'm know as Dancing Muton there)

[I-ChooseTheImpossible]

It definitely won't work 'out of the box' so to speak, but I was able to get it running perfectly on Vista, XP, and Win 7.

Firstly, go to the thread I linked in my original post, and follow the instructions there to add the mod/patch. They should be pretty clear. They're focused on the steam version of the game, but it works equally well with the original retail version that I use.

Let me know how it goes.

Yea, it works now. Trying to get used to the gameplay. Will pass judgement once I've got the hang of it.

[Gorkel]

also if you own the original ufo enemy unkown you can download the ufo2000 mod which gives you multiplayer tactical battles with your friends

[Gimli]

Yea, it works now. Trying to get used to the gameplay. Will pass judgement once I've got the hang of it.

Note that the game is hard even on Beginner. If you need help, your first stop should be the tutorials in the manual (found on Steam's store page). You can ask for more tips on one of the fan sites, read www.ufopaedia.org or you can ask on Steam's X-COM forum which I frequent.

To anyone who is new to the game. Choose Beginner for the difficulty. Trust me.
Well, because of a bug in the first game, it will be reset to Beginner after the first mission anyway (there are ways around it).

[Supercharge]

thanks, i just got the games off steam

i'm ready for an XCOM marathon!

[japester]

Have the extender mods been updated in the past year or so? I want to say I bought the full Steam pack about a year ago and had to go to the forum for help. I downloaded something (probably those mods) to help with the timing. I kept having to tweak certain values because the game would run too fast or too slow, and it varied depending on what I was doing at the time (global view, mission, etc).

I haven't played it in a long time, but I need to try it again. I'm just wondering if I should download something new or stick with the tools I added back then.

Good thread, by the way!

[Tanki]

also if you own the original ufo enemy unkown you can download the ufo2000 mod which gives you multiplayer tactical battles with your friends

Not true, you can play it with out owning X-COM, but it will use its own graphics instead of X-COM's originals.

If you do want to play UFO2000 I suggest checking out the wiki frist: http://www.ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=UFO2000

And while your at it, check out UFO2000's gaming community they are dedicated to teaching new players of all skills: www.7kplay.net

Edit: If you can find the X-COM demo you can extract the graphics from it.

[Gameplayer03]

Have the extender mods been updated in the past year or so? I want to say I bought the full Steam pack about a year ago and had to go to the forum for help. I downloaded something (probably those mods) to help with the timing. I kept having to tweak certain values because the game would run too fast or too slow, and it varied depending on what I was doing at the time (global view, mission, etc).

I haven't played it in a long time, but I need to try it again. I'm just wondering if I should download something new or stick with the tools I added back then.

Good thread, by the way!

Bwaah!! No, you where dead. I saw you die! How can you be alive!! Your not human, I saw it happen how can this be??!?!?!? HE'S.......ALLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!!

Seriously though, welcome back, haven't seen you in a while.

[mogmoogle99]

I've got all the first 3 games running on windows 7

http://ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=Main_Page
Good resource for X-com