However, the fact I do win also disappoints me. The originals have an unbeatable sense of hopelessness that if I do ever win, it will feel so much better. Kind of the same with Nethack. I've played easier roguelikes and won; but I have never beaten Nethack without cheating. If I ever manage to beat that legit, I'd absolutely lose my mind with feel good brain juice.

[–] The_Picard_Maneuver@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

That's impressive. I still haven't been able to beat legendary ironman on XCOM 2.

I'd like to get into the old ones, but the UI is really dated and I'm having trouble figuring out what I need to do. Maybe I need to watch a short video or something.

[–] MrKilroy@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have the exact opposite of a short video on Xcom lol. Ahoy made a movie length video on the older games that made me really want to get into them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBu77h2FSCM

[–] The_Picard_Maneuver@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Thanks! Saving this for when I get an opportunity. I know the old games are beloved and have some hardcore fans, so I really want to give them a fair shot.

[–] Soundhole@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The UI takes a little getting used to, but is actually pretty intuitive once you do.

The real tedium comes from trying to manage 6 bases and 4,000 troops and their ammo late game. Openxcom helps, but it can still be a slog.

But honesy the original UFO Defense is unbelievably deep and flexible once you get the hang of it in a way the later games aren't.

[–] The_Picard_Maneuver@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh, tedium doesn't bother me! Sometimes in XCOM 2 I spend so much time managing my base that I get mildly annoyed when I have to stop to go on a mission.

I think I just need to grasp what I'm supposed to be doing in the original.

[–] Soundhole@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

That's part of the game. Research in UFO Defense doesn't always glean equipment, sometimes you get clues instead.

So if you play the game as intended, you don't understand why the aliens are invading or where they come from until you piece it together throughout the course of the campaign.

But in 2023, you might just want to wiki all that stuff and no one would blame you.