2K Games announces that XCOM: Enemy Unknown is now available in North America via retail and Steam, and Firaxis' action/strategy will be available internationally on October 12th. Some screenshots and a launch trailer support the release, and a playable demo of the Windows edition was released a couple of weeks ago on Steam (an Xbox 360 demo is likewise available, while a PS3 demo is still in the works). Here's word:
2K Games and Firaxis Games announced today that XCOM®: Enemy Unknown is now available in North America and will be available internationally on October 12, 2012 for Windows PC, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The game already has critics raving, with Game Informer stating that XCOM: Enemy Unknown is “a singular achievement that every gamer deserves to experience” and rating the game 9.5 out of 10, earning “Game of the Month” honors in the November 2012 issue.
“XCOM: Enemy Unknown revives the XCOM franchise, staying true to what fans loved in the original game while evolving and growing the experience to appeal to all gamers,” said Sarah Anderson, senior vice president of marketing for 2K. “Combining intense action and strategy, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is an experience unlike any other on the market, and one that no gamer will want to miss.”
Gamers who pre-ordered XCOM: Enemy Unknown and those who purchase the game for a limited time at launch will receive the launch bonus which includes the Elite Soldier Pack. The Elite Soldier Pack will provide the ultimate tools for soldier customization in XCOM: Enemy Unknown, including:
Classic X-COM soldier: Players will instantly receive a new recruit in their barracks inspired by the original X-COM: UFO Defense. The iconic soldier with the blonde, flattop hairstyle will return fully modernized.
Soldier Deco packs: Players can customize their soldier with several aesthetic upgrades to armor suits, including the new Hyperion and Reaper soldier armor kits.
Complete color customization: A variety of colors and tints for all armor sets in the game allow players complete control to customize their squad’s look.
A special edition of XCOM: Enemy Unknown for Windows PC (MSRP $59.99) will be available at participating retail locations. This special edition will contain a copy of the game for Windows PC and a number of unique XCOM items, including an art book; fold-out poster of the XCOM headquarters; XCOM insignia patch; and a collection of digital bonus assets such as desktop wallpaper, soundtrack and more. A digital version of XCOM: Enemy Unknown can be purchased from participating digital retailers for MSRP $49.99.
Ok, 4th or 5th month in, Classic, no Ironman, almost complete satellite coverage, just gathering money and materials to complete the research tree. What sort of military organization sends out a shuttle with 6 Colonels in it? X-Com. My X-Com, anyway.
I have stopped playing for today to rest my fried eyeballs, and also to say: Satellites = National Pacifier. 2-3 Point panic reduction, instantly, when a satellite is assigned to a nation. Even though it takes 4 days to actually deploy. I am perpetually broke but all my countries are in the green with maybe one exception in the yellow. Next month I should be pretty flush with cash.
Also, I shed a nostalgic tear after I built some of the robotic SHIV tanks... they are so bad, it's like the original X-Com. Humans heal faster, shoot better, move farther, can use cover... ugh. The tanks also take up a slot that should be filled with a Colonel. They suck enough that they should have been a free slot in the shuttle(I have yet to learn how to build a new shuttle, if it's possible).
More than a few display bugs too, like if you are reloading/starting a shot, and the Engineer or Scientist NPC starts a little monologue, the GUI can get hung up. Only one CTD so far though, attempting to load a ground mission save.
PS. Get snipers. MANY snipers. Best late game class. Free 100% hit, bonus critical shots on anybody moving/out of perfect cover, while the sniper gets bonus cover? Hehe.
What the hell, apparently I've put in 18 hours on X-Com since Tuesday afternoon.
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Humans heal faster, shoot better, move farther, can use cover... ugh. The tanks also take up a slot that should be filled with a Colonel. They suck enough that they should have been a free slot in the shuttle(I have yet to learn how to build a new shuttle, if it's possible).
