Let's Play XCOM 2

Some of you may remember the EoFF run I did of XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Despite falling apart near the end (largely due to my own incompetence and a few technical difficulties), I feel I learned a lot. I have had more success since moving to Twitch in both keeping runs going, and in getting them fully recorded and uploaded. I recently managed to complete a run of XCOM: Enemy Within, and I am looking to start a run of XCOM 2 shortly after the game launches.

I will unfortunately be traveling out of town on the launch day. However, I will use that time to create a character pool, and should be ready to start streaming and recording early on the ninth when I return.

Should any of you be interested in watching or taking part in the run, I would love to have your participation. Having an open stream will make it easier to give me feedback and input, and it also makes it easier to record the action to show later in the thread.

For those interested in getting started with building your characters early, here is a video showcasing most of the customization options (everything except voice and female faces):


Again, I will begin building the character pool early, and it will include several friends from IRL and other sites.

The stream itself should begin on Tuesday, February 9th, and videos will be uploaded to YouTube and linked here with highlight commentary.

When you have decided on any or all of your customization options (or if you just want to take part and build your character as we go), feel free to post your decisions here.

Don't forget as well that you can write a character biography to have it put into the game. And don't be afraid to make them ridiculous!

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you there, and hopefully we can fight off the alien menace successfully this time.

My Twitch channel:
http://www.twitch.tv/skyblade012

Yay! I was hoping you'd do this again since the game is $80 Canadian (and I may break down and buy it anyway despite my lack of disposable income). I'll get my class up this weekend at some point hopefully.

The only reason I want a gaming PC. :cry:

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Originally Posted by sharkythesharkdogg

The only reason I want a gaming PC. :cry:

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Yeah, this one's not getting a console release. They had far more success on the PC, and they can have far more mod support on there. They're actually releasing a full set of builder's tools, similar to those for Civilization V, which will allow people to build mods and levels with far greater ease than what was done in Enemy Unknown.

But you can still design a character and rush off to battle with me!

Ooh, I am looking forward to this.

I'm thinking of going with a pure gunslinger sniper but I haven't looked at the other classes yet.

I've been debating for a while what difficulty to play on. The tactical game in Legend looks like a lot of fun from previews, but I have a lot of concerns about how the strategic game may play out. I also know that most people showing off preview copies tweaked the game files to speed up upgrades and such so that they could show off more content before hitting the cut-off point. And such things usually look easier than they wind up being.

The Difficulty Options are (IIRC):

Normal
Veteran
Commander
Legend

At this point, just to be on the safe side, I think I'll start on Veteran, though I may go to Commander if it is proving too easy.

I think you'll have more fun one on whatever the equivalent of 'Classic' is. I regret not completing EW on Classic, taking painful losses is a big part of XCOM. I worry if it's a bit too easy you'll lose a lot of the fun, especially​ in a stream format.

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Originally Posted by Skyblade

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Originally Posted by sharkythesharkdogg

The only reason I want a gaming PC. :cry:

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Yeah, this one's not getting a console release. They had far more success on the PC, and they can have far more mod support on there. They're actually releasing a full set of builder's tools, similar to those for Civilization V, which will allow people to build mods and levels with far greater ease than what was done in Enemy Unknown.

But you can still design a character and rush off to battle with me!

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Oh, right! I forgot about that part.

Hmmmm. I'm not sure how much input you're looking for on how the characters are handled.

I'd like some flavor of gene-modded sniper. I typically gave mine stuff like improved sight, reflex shot, and jump to access places quickly.

If you only need one and Vivi called it first, I'll be an up close, gene-modded shot gunner. Improved constitution, reflex, cloaking, and that kinda stuff.

There's no such thing as too many snipers.

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Originally Posted by Fox

I think you'll have more fun one on whatever the equivalent of 'Classic' is. I regret not completing EW on Classic, taking painful losses is a big part of XCOM. I worry if it's a bit too easy you'll lose a lot of the fun, especially​ in a stream format.

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Valid point.

I'm mostly just worried about losing the strategic game. I know some of the basics, but I'm really worried about how it might play out. But I guess, since it's an LP, more wacky hijinks is better.

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Originally Posted by sharkythesharkdogg

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Originally Posted by Skyblade

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Originally Posted by sharkythesharkdogg

The only reason I want a gaming PC. :cry:

---

Yeah, this one's not getting a console release. They had far more success on the PC, and they can have far more mod support on there. They're actually releasing a full set of builder's tools, similar to those for Civilization V, which will allow people to build mods and levels with far greater ease than what was done in Enemy Unknown.

But you can still design a character and rush off to battle with me!

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Oh, right! I forgot about that part.

Hmmmm. I'm not sure how much input you're looking for on how the characters are handled.

I'd like some flavor of gene-modded sniper. I typically gave mine stuff like improved sight, reflex shot, and jump to access places quickly.

If you only need one and Vivi called it first, I'll be an up close, gene-modded shot gunner. Improved constitution, reflex, cloaking, and that kinda stuff.

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No gene-modding that we know of as yet. The closest thing I've seen so far is weapon customization. Which I probably won't take input on. But we can definitely take more snipers.

Though, honestly, all the classes are looking viable. The new Heavy (Grenadier) is SO much better, in my opinion. Their Grenades can be used after moving (unlike Rockets), they can equip different types, and they get a host of other useful abilities. Plus, they can actually hit things!

The Specialist is looking REALLY interesting. Almost a pure utility class. I'm looking forward to experimenting with it. It can hack objectives, manipulate enemies, remove Overwatch, boost Defense, remote heals, etcetera.

So I was going to do a write up of myself as a character (and I still might), but I was watching the character customization vid and they have a smurfing boonie hat as an option. So I feel obligated to make my first character be none other than...

Bio

Name: Mick "Crocodile" Dundee

Nationality: Australian

Class: "That's not a knife. THIS is a knife!" (Ranger)

Appearance: Hello Ladies (also if you could give him a cigar that'd be sweet)

Bio: Crocodiles are no longer the most dangerous game. Mick fights to preserve the Australian way of life from invading alien scum.

Attitude: Happy-Go-Lucky

I only included pertinent details. Hopefully it's enough to get started but let me know if I need to add more.

I recruited myself in my game and I got promoted to sniper so I'm going to say it's destiny and run with that here. I care not for most visual edits to my character. Just make sure the colour scheme is a bright red and purple with some black in there somewhere.

I think I'm just going to give up on this.

I played through the tutorial missions on Commander difficulty to make sure the game ran okay (after the absolutely abysmal performance when it first started up), so that I knew I could stream it.

I wiped on the second tutorial mission five times, and lost my favorite soldier on the one time I succeeded (even though she was in high cover and one of the least open soldiers on my squad, she still died in one hit). So, I am sick of the Veteran mode, and I'm not going to play it for a hell of a long time. The way the game forces you to sprint for everything or just give you a Game Over, while not giving you many tools to deal with what's thrown at you is just pissing me off. It wouldn't be fun to watch.

I then stumbled into a couple issues with the Character Pool that just enraged me further. Even though Firaxis gives you the option to set someone's class, it means nothing. Once you recruit them as a Rookie, they act as every other Rookie, and promote randomly. Which is BULLtrout. Oh, and my customization options for Fox didn't save properly, as the character wound up with a hairdo I didn't choose and a pair of sunglasses that I didn't authorize.

So, overall, I'm just mad at the game right now, and I'm unlikely to go through with the LP. I'm not going to play on Commander again until I'm much more familiar with the game, and even if I did, I'd apparently just fail a lot. So I won't have much entertaining content to provide. Sorry.

Bummer. I was looking forward to this. I've always been terrible at XCOM so I live vicariously through these LPs.

Well, after finally getting through it, I had a lot more success during the next mission. The second tutorial mission is just really, really annoying on Commander difficulty. The map is set, but encounters aren't (and I got unlucky and got a lot of them before the objective), the objective is timed, and you have all Rookies. It is a really annoyingly difficult map. But it does actually teach you a lot about tactics for the game by the time you get through the half dozen resets it takes to finish it.

Anyway, what I'm probably going to do is run through the tutorial missions (because I love the story elements, way better than Enemy Unknown), then restart with the tutorial off and try to take on Veteran mode from there.

If I get done with my homework, I'll run through the tutorials today, and have them uploaded by the end of the day. If not, I'll run them after work tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by Skyblade

I think I'm just going to give up on this.

I played through the tutorial missions on Commander difficulty to make sure the game ran okay (after the absolutely abysmal performance when it first started up), so that I knew I could stream it.

I wiped on the second tutorial mission five times, and lost my favorite soldier on the one time I succeeded (even though she was in high cover and one of the least open soldiers on my squad, she still died in one hit). So, I am sick of the Veteran mode, and I'm not going to play it for a hell of a long time. The way the game forces you to sprint for everything or just give you a Game Over, while not giving you many tools to deal with what's thrown at you is just pissing me off. It wouldn't be fun to watch.

I then stumbled into a couple issues with the Character Pool that just enraged me further. Even though Firaxis gives you the option to set someone's class, it means nothing. Once you recruit them as a Rookie, they act as every other Rookie, and promote randomly. Which is BULLtrout. Oh, and my customization options for Fox didn't save properly, as the character wound up with a hairdo I didn't choose and a pair of sunglasses that I didn't authorize.

So, overall, I'm just mad at the game right now, and I'm unlikely to go through with the LP. I'm not going to play on Commander again until I'm much more familiar with the game, and even if I did, I'd apparently just fail a lot. So I won't have much entertaining content to provide. Sorry.

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Don't give up man. I mean a game like this is more similar to chess man, and it's war. Chess on a squad based level. People, even if they're your favorite. They're probably going to die sooner or later.

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Originally Posted by Lazerface

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Originally Posted by Skyblade

I think I'm just going to give up on this.

I played through the tutorial missions on Commander difficulty to make sure the game ran okay (after the absolutely abysmal performance when it first started up), so that I knew I could stream it.

I wiped on the second tutorial mission five times, and lost my favorite soldier on the one time I succeeded (even though she was in high cover and one of the least open soldiers on my squad, she still died in one hit). So, I am sick of the Veteran mode, and I'm not going to play it for a hell of a long time. The way the game forces you to sprint for everything or just give you a Game Over, while not giving you many tools to deal with what's thrown at you is just pissing me off. It wouldn't be fun to watch.

I then stumbled into a couple issues with the Character Pool that just enraged me further. Even though Firaxis gives you the option to set someone's class, it means nothing. Once you recruit them as a Rookie, they act as every other Rookie, and promote randomly. Which is BULLtrout. Oh, and my customization options for Fox didn't save properly, as the character wound up with a hairdo I didn't choose and a pair of sunglasses that I didn't authorize.

So, overall, I'm just mad at the game right now, and I'm unlikely to go through with the LP. I'm not going to play on Commander again until I'm much more familiar with the game, and even if I did, I'd apparently just fail a lot. So I won't have much entertaining content to provide. Sorry.

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Don't give up man. I mean a game like this is more similar to chess man, and it's war. Chess on a squad based level. People, even if they're your favorite. They're probably going to die sooner or later.

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It was more the frustration of literally getting a Game Over five times in a row, on the second mission of the game. That tutorial mission is required, and it is a royal pain with the way it is set up, especially since you have three Rookies. It is actually easier to do the first two missions on Legend than it is to do that tutorial mission on Commander.

Okay, starting the stream of the first tutorial mission in just a minute. If any of you want to join me, the stream is at: http://www.twitch.tv/skyblade012

If not, I'll upload the video tonight. And hopefully it's fun to watch (even though the first mission is totally scripted).

Okay, someone, anyone, please help. WTF am I doing wrong? Why can I not beat the smurfing TUTORIAL?!

I'm really not sure why you're having so much trouble aside from missing some decent shots. My recommendation would have been to actually use the grenade on that first officer and soldier. Guaranteed kill on the trooper and you'll do decent damage to the officer. If you don't miss overwatch they'll both die then and there and you have more freedom to move up aggressively on your next turn. I'm pretty sure I was a bit liberal with my grenades when I did the mission and I don't remember it giving me much trouble. Given the choice between a chance to hit one target or slightly lower but guaranteed damage to one and a kill to the other I'll take the guaranteed damage every time in that level. Every kill you get, especially before they get to attack is a god send.

Good stuff man. Apart from the whole...failure thing...I guess. Even still, very enjoyable to watch and you explain what you're doing and why you're doing it very well. Looking forward to more.

Alrighty, after some discussion over on the 2k forums trying to help learn some better tactical approaches, it's time to see if I've actually learned anything. If you wish to continue watching me fail at the game before it even properly begins, come pop in on my Twitch channel.
http://www.twitch.tv/skyblade012

Or, just be lazy and wait for the video.

EDIT: Or, nevermind, because the game apparently crashes now any time I try to stream it. Dang it.

Well that's balls. Hope you get it sorted.

I did. If I run a "stream test" first, it seems to work fine. But if I just go straight to streaming, it crashes immediately. Weird.

But I got through a fairly lengthy session, and I'll upload the video soon.

I get a lot of us killed through stupidity, though. Just an FYI.

I'll be asleep before it finishes processing. But hopefully it'll be up before you guys get back on to see it.

And you can mock my massive incompetence.

Unfortunately the recording for this one was a bit choppy and there was some really bad audio lag, but I remember you saying early on in the vid you were trying a new streaming mode. The last one was smooth but if it keeps crashing then this vid style was at least watchable.

Thinking I might start up a character journal for Mick but I've still got about an hour left for this episode. So I'll get to it later on today if I do. Still really enjoying the series though! Wish I could jump in stream but you tend to go online pretty late at night in the UK.

Dang it. When people wee complaining about lag, I was hoping it was just the stream.

I'm not done yet, there are some other adjustments I could try. Hopefully the next will be better.

I apologize for taking so long to update this. I should be able to run another stream and get another video up tomorrow.

I just have an absolutely jam-packed semester that is really running a number on my free time.

No worries - your life comes first. I haven't posted yet but just wanted to say I have been watching - look forward to seeing more whenever you have a chance.

I was hoping to get a stream/recording going today, but the settings have been all messed up, and it's taking me way too long to just get things working again. I'm going to try to get everything fixed for a Friday stream, but, if not, I'll be out of luck until next week.

Stupid semester eating all my time.

Edit: Well, fortunately, I did manage to get in about an hour thanks to some troubleshooting I could do once one of my friends popped on the stream. Made some progress, completed some missions, got some people killed, and Loony BoB ran out and abandoned a squadmate to be captured and hideously tortured.

All in all, fairly successful. Video details will come in a new post later tonight!

Well, the new video is up.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of it. While the issues I've had with streaming and recording are finally solved, the video is very obviously a video of a stream. I think it overall reduces the quality of the commentary and makes it less enjoyable to watch as a video.



Since it's hard to time streams to catch them anyway, I'm thinking of just recording them from now on, and uploading the videos without going through the stream, so that I can focus on commentary and feedback, and ignore trying to interact with chat.

In the meantime, I'll try to work up a text summary of these missions for those of you who want to follow, but don't want to listen to my boring streams.