This is my first XCom game. I can't help notice how similar some aspects of the game's story and setting are related to Half-Life 2 but set in the 60s. I love the setting regardless, especially the retro-scifi aspect. There's lots to explore and choices to choose which affect the story and sometimes the missions. Tactics matter and are interesting. My only beef is what I think is the final mission pours too many tough enemies at you at once in a way to up the difficulty yet its seemingly impossible with a three member team. It's the only mission I had to replay more than five times (and I stopped playing for a while because of it). Guess it's time to get back to trying it so that I can see how it all ends. Anyway, great game. Love the atmosphere, the characters, and the action.
I'm addicted to this game. I love it. But there are still too many bugs. Some so glaring as to rip me out of my euphoria to write this negative review. I will be glad to revise it to FIVE stars if the developers finish their game by fixing the problems (examples below). Don't be misled by the Wildcards DLC release which gives the appearance that the core game is finished enough that they can work on additional content. The first four chapters of the main story go quite smoothly then things get weird. Without spoiling anything, here are some specific examples. Dialogs with NPCs: 1) Main Character response choice: "I've seen your wings on numerous occasions." [I had not seen the characters wings even once yet. This character has wings?] 2) After finishing a quest with an artisan NPC (Varrask), he seemed to be unaware of it. 3) Companion Bio page missing the most recent developments in their quests (Tristian) 4) A conversation event in the tavern with one of the Companions was completely out of order with recent developments in her quest (Valerie). And it wasn't supposed to be a flashback. Alignment choices far more limited than might be expected: A certain side quest which seems naturally to have paladin players in mind assumes you'll take one of two sides. As a lawful good paladin, I wished my character to take neither side, but not to remain neutral and ignore it all (as one choice allowed), but to arrest or attack both sides (Smite all the evil!), which was not a choice given. Opposing one side strongly, the results were surprisingly limp. Me- "Guards, arrest Her!" Her- "Ok, I can see I'm not wanted. Goodbye." [walks past all the city guards] Me (speaking to the screen)- HUH? No really arrest her! The opposing faction in this sidequest when asked "How much am I worth?" offered a bribe if I join their side, but there was no option to refuse it. Now wouldn't it seem natural to anyone making such a quest to offer a "No" as an option in any banter about money offers?
