# Xenonauts - Xcom for real **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 22, 2012, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514 "2012-10-22T12:55:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/1 "2012-10-22T12:55:51Z")
So there seems to be a more hardcore version of Xcom that’s about to come out. Having played the demo, it really did remind me of the original Xcom to a greater extent than Xcom: Enemy Unknown, as much as I like that game. I can see how the graphics could be seen as lacking although others will like the retro look. Both the strategic and tactical gameplay seems to have much more potential than the consolified Xcom: EU. The game appears to make it easy to add mods which should boost its value further. The demo is available now and those who pre-order get access to the latest build right away. [http://www.xenonauts.com/](http://www.xenonauts.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/2 "2012-10-22T13:49:22Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > So there seems to be a more hardcore version of Xcom that’s about to come out. Having played the demo, it really did remind me of the original Xcom to a greater extent than Xcom: Enemy Unknown, as much as I like that game. > > I can see how the graphics could be seen as lacking although others will like the retro look. Both the strategic and tactical gameplay seems to have much more potential than the consolified Xcom: EU. > > The game appears to make it easy to add mods which should boost its value further. > > The demo is available now and those who pre-order get access to the latest build right away. > > [http://www.xenonauts.com/](http://www.xenonauts.com/) This is using some super-liberal definition of “about to come out”. They have a “plan” to be in “beta” by… a date that has already passed. While I’m going to stop short of accusing this project of vaporware, I’ve been following it off and on, literally for years, and they’re really good at talking up their progress and not so good at actually producing progress. ---
**Author:** ![FasterThanMeerkats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/278dde/32.png) [@FasterThanMeerkats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FasterThanMeerkats)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/3 "2014-10-12T16:21:49Z")
Reviving this because it’s out! So far so good! This is definitely more old X-Com feel graphics-wise and play style, but plays pretty darn good. A good mix of tactical turn-based combat with the standard X-com balancing with research, base building, and funding. Air combat seems to be more emphasized with a kind of tactical mini-game where you can fly your planes from a top-down view and engage with different ranged weapons against fighters and battleships with different defensive weapons, speeds, and turning radii. My main mini-gripe is like most games, it doesn’t feel like they did a final pass through on the keyboard/mouse interface to say, “hey, how can we reduce the number of clicks to get things done?” Some tasks take 3-4 clicks when they should only take 1-2 and there should be more hotkeys to cycle through menus. Other than that though, very satisfying. Just have a lot of patience and don’t get too attached to your troops, especially as they peak around those corners:( ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/4 "2014-10-12T18:32:27Z")
To say this is kind of like X-Com is to say Pepsi is kind of like Coke. It IS X-Com. ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2014, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/5 "2014-10-13T17:55:51Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > To say this is kind of like X-Com is to say Pepsi is kind of like Coke. It IS X-Com. Ugh, I hope not. That game was a train wreck that desperately needs a lot of stuff about it fixed. If it’s a FIXED X-com, then we’re talking. Glad they finally managed to release, and glad to see my earlier posting about “Yeah, this isn’t ‘coming soon’ by any stretch” was spot on. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/6 "2014-10-14T00:40:15Z")
How is it? I liked the recent xcom games, but they feel like x-com lite. The character customization is too simple, and the simple 2 moves/firings per turn was just not granular or detailed enough. Is this game basically the original x-com with a better UI? Lots more gear and stat customization, action points tied to every action, etc? If so, I’m definitely interested. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2014, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/7 "2014-10-14T00:47:02Z")
Yes, it’s basically the old X-Com. It definitely uses action points rather the console-friendly 2 actions. It’s not a casual game. I don’t think they have a demo but it’s easy to try it before you buy, just make sure the version you find isn’t some old alpha version. ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/8 "2014-10-20T15:00:44Z")
On sale for 35% off for the next… like… 90 minutes. Still on the fence. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/9 "2023-02-20T00:55:45Z")
So I forgot this existed and bought it last week. Figured I’d bump this instead of creating a new thread. Jesus, this is a great game. It’s MUCH better than the “modern” X-Coms, which are more puzzle games. It is, however, brutally hard, which of course all X-Com games have been - however, it’s FAIR, which many of them have not been. Patience and experience will bring rewards. I’m still learning, but it’s a hell of a well balanced game. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/10 "2023-02-20T01:39:21Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > it’s FAIR, which many of them have not been. “Fair” as in not missing a 90% shot on an alien standing next to you fair? (I am sure we all know that rage inducing moment) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/11 "2023-02-20T05:02:30Z")
I’ve had this game for years, but never really played it much. I wonder how it would do on the Steam Deck. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/12 "2023-02-20T05:40:02Z")
If you don’t miss that shot one time out of ten, then it’s not really a 90% shot. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/13 "2023-02-20T06:16:38Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > “Fair” as in not missing a 90% shot on an alien standing next to you fair? (I am sure we all know that rage inducing moment) Soldier accuracy is still insanely bad, but the terrible marksmanship is reflected in the percentages now. The game does a better job with the concept of suppression and reaction, so spraying enemies with fire can actually be beneficial even if you don’t kill them. The game also makes ALL weapons useful; everything has pros and cons. It’s a good idea to have at least two soldiers in your squad to be armed with rocket launchers. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/14 "2023-02-20T06:42:46Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It is, however, brutally hard, which of course all X-Com games have been I don’t remember the original X-Com being brutally hard, at least once you figured out a few helpful tips (e.g. if you’re fighting mind-controlling aliens, only load your bomb launchers if you’re immediately going to use them). The fact that (almost?) all cover was destroyable meant that you could uncover practically every alien on the map just by destroying every building in sight. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/15 "2023-02-20T07:21:34Z")
That isn’t X-COM “for real”. _[This](https://www.warwicksu.com/venues-events/events/4226/22721/)_ is X-COM for real. OK, it’s just the World Council. And some aliens. In a room at a uni. Larping. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/16 "2023-02-20T16:05:09Z")
This thread reminds me. Where is Xenonauts 2? It’s like 4 years overdue at this point. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/17 "2023-02-21T13:53:35Z")
“Early access” in a few months. The demo is already out. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/18 "2023-02-21T14:18:12Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > That isn’t X-COM “for real”. _[This](https://www.warwicksu.com/venues-events/events/4226/22721/)_ is X-COM for real. > > OK, it’s just the World Council. And some aliens. In a room at a uni. Larping. Oh my god, I am such a ridiculous nerd, that sounds freaking _amazing_. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/19 "2023-02-22T23:05:36Z")
I’ve lost North America because I didn’t build a second base there soon enough. They got mad at me. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2023, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514/20 "2023-02-24T14:17:04Z")
And suddenly I’m running out of money. This isn’t good. I am playing the game on medium and it’s brutally hard. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xenonauts-xcom-for-real/638514.md?page=2)