MY FIRST "PLAY TILL 5:30am ON A WORKDAY" in UFO-ET

[JHAYES3489]

Well, last night I fell in love with this game. Being a armchair general from back in the original x-com and warcraft days, I have patiently awaited the release of this game. Since Matrix made it available Friday, I have done little else but play this game. After getting some tips from a few threads on here, I started playing around 6:30pm last night with a little better understanding of the differences between this, and x-com.

I for one, like that the soldiers don't die. It became very apparent to me (early this morning) that you are going to NEED a whole crew of veterans to take on the higher class of aliens. Hell, I just got a good system going of 2 teams; veterans and "those working their way up the ranks". (January of 2nd Year) I have a Thunder transport that the "big dogs" jump in to take out bases, and cruisers+. It consists of a 6 man crew and a tank/missile launcher. I definitely have the most fun with that crew, and would hate to lose one of them. I like to name the soldiers after people in my everyday life / family that sort of resemble the faces/hair of the character's pic. Death would ruin my day, AS IT SHOULD. But the difficulty of UFO-ET compared to X-Com UFO is apples and oranges.

X-Com TFTD was one of my favorites, I liked the design of the weapons and new subs, but hated the yellow alien subs, the ufo's from the first one were perfect. With UFO-ET, I think they hit it right on the head with the UFO design. I am just now getting battlecruisers buzzing around, and can't wait to see if I get a cooler looking transport and interceptor than the Thunder and Lightning (I certainly hope so). And after reading about the 3 or so more technologies AFTER plasma, I started to get real excited.

So... I started playing at around 6:30pm, after work, storming outside... it was perfect. I have two bases, my main was fat with workshops and labs sending me into the negative around mid-month, I had lost 3 countries, and they all had bases on them. First thing... BAM, another country gone. On top of all that my soldiers were all laid up in the hospital.

I sold off all but 1 workshop and 2 labs, let the UFO's do WTF they wanted to the civilian population, sold off all but my Hanger and Power at the second base, and manufactured a bunch of laser rifle ammo. Just before the end of the month (around July 22nd or so) I had my higher ranking soldiers out of sickbay. We jumped in the Raider and were off to kick some ass. First base was full of larva and runners. Second base was hardcore nail biting action: snakemen, larva and lots of them. Third base I decided to just blow the door off the landing room and fan my troops out along the back of it, with two guys facing each other posted on opposite sides of what was left of the doorway. Snakemen POURED in... it was sweet. What reaction fire didn't take care of, grenades and stun grenades finished up. After several rounds and not a single "death" (thanks to medkits; my sister is a nurse- so "she's" my dedicated medic/grenadier character in UFO. The first two missions had minimal hospitalizations due to some creative medkit usage. And the couple that did sit it out, made it possible for some rookies to get promoted a few ranks. 3 reclaimed territories, 1.2 Million in rewards, loot, and a vipon commander to boot.

After all the smoke cleared, I sat down at the end of the month with the leaders of the world sporting a big stinkin' grin on my face. They wrote me a nice big check, and my "world" was restored to order.

I only stopped to grill up a meal for the wife and I around 8, and had finished up my slaughterfest by midnight. I then proceeded to do some research, manufacturing, and shot down a ton of UFO's, and have a nice nestegg built up. I'm still trying to figure out if there is something that is profitable to build, I.E. Plasma Cannons in UFO Defense.

At 5:30 this morning my wife woke up and said "Damn Dear, still up saving the world?" I grinned and told her of my triumphs and went on and on about this game. She knows how much I've been looking forward to it, and has watched me do some UFO and TFTD modding the last few months and playing that in anticipation of it's release.

Sorry if this seemed like a bunch of rambling... I'm at work, tired, and don't have time to proof read. For those of you that loved the original X-COM series: BUY THIS GAME. For those that are playing it, keep the forums alive. It'll be great to see what this game, and possible sequels have to offer. Sure would be swell if they released a mod kit. I've been following the mod thread on here, and hope the developers are too. It's not EXACTLY like X-COM, but it's not supposed to be... and I think after a patch or two I will have the replacement I've been looking for all these years. Thanks Chaos Concepts

My only gripe thus far: DEFINITELY NEED RESERVE BUTTONS FOR KNEELING AND REACTION SHOTS.

[Predator19]

just downloaded and started playing and i couldnt agree more,  was skeptical about it but finally decided to hell with it and within 3 hrs i was kicking alien ass and its great, for any Xcom fans this is a must have.  Just finished my first mission with no casualties so a good start.....

[LarryP]

Here's the link to the 1rst mod on Matrix:
*Click For Mod*

[Cid_X]

Nice story JHAYES3489.  I have had to be very careful about not letting myself pull one of those all nighters with this game.  As far as the game goes I am really enjoying it and with a patch or two it will only be better.  The reserve shots and reserve kneel are definetly something I would like to see added.  My only gripe is that the alien pilots are damn good at crash landing as they seem to never have any damage once I make it to the ship.  No debris field either.  Magic.   This is just a small detail but one that I really enjoyed in TFTD and Apoc.  It just added to the tension in the game.

[JHAYES3489]

It would be cool if you could follow the smokey trench carved into the earth by a crashed UFO. That'd be wicked, and make it much realistic (and easier) to find the crashed UFO on maps.

Dude I'm so tired today, but still plan on playing until 10 or so tonight after I take care of some stuff around the house. My wife games too (mostly DS and Wii though) so she never complains, as long as I get the usual man-chores done.

I'm already planning a weekend long game session... supposed to rain anyway, makes it that much more enjoyable when there is nothing to do outside anyway. I'll be sure and take some screenshots to flavor up my future posts. Anyone know if there is a hotkey? or do I need to do it the printscreen way... [&:]

[Plodder]

It would be cool if you could follow the smokey trench carved into the earth by a crashed UFO. That'd be wicked, and make it much realistic (and easier) to find the crashed UFO on maps.

It's actually pretty easy to find the UFOs at the moment as they're always in the opposite corner of the map to your ship.I hope they address that in a patch..

[Cid_X]

Not sure if there is a screenshot button. Anyone know?

Anyway, not having a clock by my comp is a VERY bad thing when im playing this game. I have lost quite a few chunks of time already which is always a sign of a good game. Its a shame im past the days of summer vacation as I could easily pull a few all nighters trying to save the world. Work sucks.

[LarryP]

You could retire... I did. [;)] However, it's a wonderful thing to be healthy enough to go to work everyday.

[princep01]

ORIGINAL: Cid_X

Not sure if there is a screenshot button. Anyone know?

Anyway, not having a clock by my comp is a VERY bad thing when im playing this game. I have lost quite a few chunks of time already which is always a sign of a good game. Its a shame im past the days of summer vacation as I could easily pull a few all nighters trying to save the world. Work sucks.

Funnnnyyy! Work sucks, but it is what pays for the computer and game, so off to work we go.

[Peter Smith]

ORIGINAL: Cid_X
Anyway, not having a clock by my comp is a VERY bad thing when im playing this game.

One of the best additions Civ IV made to the UI - the clock, with an alarm feature.

[Cid_X]

Oh hell ya. Talk about another game that I could play for 6 hrs while only thinking I had been playing for 30min. The clock/alarm really was a great feature they added. It was just so easy to fall into the "just one more turn" trap.

[JHAYES3489]

Hmmm... maybe we should put a bug in the ear of a modder and get a similar setup for UFO? I just use my cell phone, but it'd be cool to have. [>:]