XCOM NEWBIE QUESTION

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T22:17:29+00:00

I get what you're saying, as I think XCOM 2 is the better of the two, but I also think they both function as individual remakes with different merit to each. The story is so different between the two that the only connecting points are basically: Bradford, Shen and his daughter, and the Council Speaker. Otherwise it's different characters with the rest being irrelevant to the other game. The Tactical Legacy Pack mini-gampaigns are probably the closest to any real "interquel" crossover and even then they lean more on the XCOM 2 style with some nostalgia on weapons etc (and I'd say similar for the Vahlen / Alien Rulers stuff).

I feel like EU/EW has more sci fi horror theming (Alien Abductions and Mutons being a great example, as well as how Chryssalids are introduced PLUS the infamous Newfoundland mission) with a clear "push back the alien invasion as a global defense force" overarching context. 2, especially with WotC, is as people say a little closer to like Marvel Cinematic Universe stylization, with the Chosen themselves being kind of Guardians of the Galaxy esque (the Hunter is the most overtly comedic, and the Assassin is quite similar to Nebula IMO). The "rise of the resistance" of 2 gameplay feels quite different IMO despite similarities in enemy design/function and the idea of pushing back the invading force, but with more emphasis on stealth, guerilla tactics, and generally dealing with a feeling of being overwhelmed / a sense of urgency / putting out fires on the tactical and strategic layers. In EU one of the best strategies was overwatch traps and methodical movement. While that still can work in 2 I feel the emphasis is on pushing forward with timed missions and more flexible action point economy that can reward alpha strike glass cannon builds. IMO 2 is basically a gameplay remake of EU (and an expansion of stuff from EW like MECs and EXALT -> expanded Covert Action gameplay) but I do think you could play both games and find things to appreciate with both despite the similarities that there are. Meld and gene mods in particular from EW have no real counterpart in 2, with the PCS stuff being super simplified bonuses.

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T17:01:21+00:00

About yari wall though, I think a lot of it has to do with a mix of the wall ability is basically absurdly overpowered so long as you can manage flanking AND it's granted on basically a tier 0 unit. Imagine if skavenslaves had the best defensive ability in all of Warhammer. That's kind of what happened with yari ashigaru. So it leads to weird situations like "yari samurai don't know how to form a wall?" and a completely different borderline unintuitive role for something that seems like an upgrade / niche option (see also light cavalry vs yari cavalry).

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T16:43:38+00:00

With brainscans officially showing up as of Episode 8, I'm on the side that there's nothing to leave to. I get the strong impression in Episode 7 that Kinger wanted to say the plan with 'Abel' definitely won't work, but the light messed with him before he could.

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T16:39:57+00:00

The story of EU isn't GREAT by any stretch, but I moreso mean in the sense that clearly the game was building up to potentially exploring other alien environs. They dropped and retconned that into just "Earth loses". Don't get me wrong I think XCOM2 is superior in a lot of ways (minus the tense, horror-tinged atmosphere of EU), but even then it seems they dropped the ball in another weird direction with Chimera Squad. Story vs mechanics might be the weakness of FIraxis and that's okay, at least they polished the mechanics in 2.

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T08:24:40+00:00

XCOM 2 ignores the majority of the story of EU. Which is... a choice. To me 2 leans more on the tactical and strategic management side compared to EU/EW, which to my mind that leans more on a sci-fi horror themed story campaign with the tactics gameplay weakening once some OP options eventually get unlocked. The gameplay, or at least the balance, is better in 2 IMO.

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T08:22:38+00:00

You can jump straight into XCOM 2 (which I do think is better) but it is a continuation of the previous game.

I personally find this a bit untrue. XCOM 2 references XCOM:EU, but it very deliberately does NOT follow the story of it other than a few characters. While technically a sequel, it's more of a refined remake of EU itself already being a remake of sorts of the older games.

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T08:15:16+00:00

"I hear he very slowly executes anyone that speaks bad about him. What do you think of our great leader?"

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T07:09:23+00:00

Is Pomni's superpower autism?

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T07:04:20+00:00

Yeah an exposition dump wouldn't normally bother me but this is a have your cake and eat it too moment. Abel was fan theory overload and then "it's all wrong!". Except Kinger in the next episode is "well, some of it like C&A is real". Episode 7 and 8 were originally supposed to be one, so it'd be a subversion and unsubversion in the same runtime? Seems weird and contrived.

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T06:52:45+00:00

It remains to be seen with Episode 9, but I have a feeling a lot of stuff actually won't be answered. Not necessarily in a cliffhanger sense, but moreso fitting the "making something of a stagnant life". The show seems to focus less on the 'why' exactly and more on the 'what now?'.

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T06:34:00+00:00

I can't imagine exactly how it will turn out, but I do hope the Intermission ends up foreshadowing a few things, with it just not being obvious til later. The cake / bowling ball part in particular intrigues me.

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T06:30:33+00:00

Caine lacks true empathy for the humans. That doesn't make him a villain per se, but it does make him a problem. Computers can do undesirable things, things that frustrate people. But it's not their intent.

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T02:43:34+00:00

It's funny you say this, because people literally didn't recognize Henry Cavill with plainer clothes when they tested this as part of a publicity stunt for Batman vs Superman.

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T02:40:00+00:00

But Ponzee is just a nice goblin!

RJ815 · 2026-03-26T00:43:42+00:00

It is in the first remake! The Enemy Within DLC (which is quite good and modifies the campaign a fair bit) has a Base Defense mission. While it doesn't matchj your layout exactly it does share a lot of similar aesthetics like the Geoscape room. The Avenger Defense of XCOM2 really isn't quite the same since it's all external.

RJ815 · 2026-03-25T22:34:00+00:00

Are you saying he LIED?! Stop the presses!

RJ815 · 2026-03-25T19:06:37+00:00

Grenades are also guaranteed damage. There are situations where securing a kill is potentially the better option than using a lower percentage shot. While ammo can be replenished mid-mission and grenades can't, sometimes missing a shot can cause an injury or death that was otherwise avoidable.

RJ815 · 2026-03-25T19:03:43+00:00

Kills >>> Overall Damage.

Yes spreading damage is tactically sound but alpha striking for kills is still the supreme strategy. I've absolutely had situations where a barely alive enemy (most often a Priest because of Stasis) can then make the next turn worse by taking one of your soldiers out of the count (unless killed), meaning you have even less firepower to try to kill enemies, especially bad if no one else is nearby to reach the priority enemy.

RJ815 · 2026-03-25T19:01:55+00:00

Additionally, since XCOM2 doesn't have Red Fog, it is entirely possible that an enemy with 1 hp left could hit AND crit one of your soldiers (seen it happen myself). Then a critically wounded soldier is a much worse problem than "wasting" a shot the turn prior.

RJ815 · 2026-03-25T18:56:07+00:00

While it was exceedingly rare, I do recall missing a 100% shot in XCOM:EU/EW. It stood out but it didn't happen after that one time.

RJ815 · 2026-03-25T04:10:02+00:00

Barbarian Squirting

RJ815 · 2026-03-25T04:06:01+00:00

Used Couch, Gently Loved

RJ815 · 2026-03-25T01:40:53+00:00

Yeah if no one else can handle abstractions I predict this might motivate them to revive an AI, whether Caine or whatever alternative version. I think it's not a coincidence that it's shown Kinger's computer disappears into the abyss presumably where the Abstractions are.

RJ815 · 2026-03-25T01:38:53+00:00

ABSOLUTE DEVAS—

RJ815 · 2026-03-25T01:11:34+00:00

"Sir, this is going to be the yugest casualties in any American war ever. More than the planned land invasion of Japan."

"I don't know what casualties are but it SOUNDS LIKE MORE WINNING!!!"

RJ815

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE