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I like Vahlen a lot. Actually I like all the characters; and as crazy as it sounds for a game about shooting aliens, it is so well polished with such a great character to it. My favourite line is still "As unprofessional as it sounds, the bite seems to have turned him, into... a... zombie."
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Aug 27, 2014 10:20
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| # ? May 6, 2024 23:54 |
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XCOM: Part 2: Alien Hair Dye  Commander’s Log: Leroy and Allen seem to be otherwise physically unharmed, but for safety’s sake we’re putting them on medical leave until Dr. Vahlen and her team can determine what, exactly, the mutagenic orange goo is. Two others will take their place on the strike team. Also, as a precautionary measure, I am activating nametags on people’s popup portraits…It’ll be hard to keep track of who’s who if everyone gets all mutated. It’s not a bad shade, really…I’ve got a few civvies that would coordinate well with this. You, uh, you look pretty okay too. Yeah, well, I just hope that we’re dealing with the kind of sorcery that doesn’t corrupt you from the inside until you’re a husk. Are you still on that, Allen?! I’m telling you…besides, sufficiently advanced science is the same as magic anyway.  Commander, our engineering team has finished constructing the next level down for the elevator, and the new power generator. Excellent! For starters we’re going to need some space for our satellite uplink cluster, as soon as we have the staff to manage it. We found a lot of hollow spaces down here, commander…anything you’re not telling me? Well, you’ll probably figure it out sooner or later…this base is recycled from an old base from 50 years ago. After it was abandoned they blasted a lot of the chambers shut. So there’s a few hollow spaces that we can probably repurpose for our needs easily.  Commander, we’re receiving reports of alien attacks! Three cities have been hit with the abduction pods, simultaneously! Moscow in Russia, Mendoza in Argentina, and Mumbai in India! Crap. XCOM is under-funded as is, and our “only one team out at a time” doctrine is very stringent. It’s the only way to make absolutely sure of no contamination or alien infiltrators. I know, I know. *sigh* We don’t have time to respond to every alien attack in the world. We only have one stealth-equipped Skyranger anyway. The local governments are capable of responding to these threats with their own soldiers, Commander. However, we fear that there will be…political repercussions… for not being able to respond to this threat in a time of need. Many member nations of the XCOM project have yet to provide their full support… Yeah, they’re only paying enough to keep the base’s lights on and nothing else. However, they are each willing to…incentivize… your attention during this matter. Russia is offering 200 Units of funding, immediately, if you eliminate the aliens abducting citizens from Moscow. Argentina is prepared to sign over the contracts of several of their top researchers immediately, and India will provide your base with four of their best engineers if you respond. drat it…we need all of these things…but right now, more than anything, we need funding. I plan on blowing a lot of cash on upgrading our base and equipment. Tell Moscow we’re on the way. Right, Cameron Watkins of America and Naomi Bar-lev of Israel, you have the best aim scores of the rest of the rookies, you’re replacing Allen and Leroy for this mission.  Yes, sir!  This is a gas station in Moscow, watch your fire, because those pumps will blow if there’s too many sparks. No sign of the enemy yet… So, Naomi… You’re Israeli, huh? I— Watkins, concentrate. Zin, you’re our sniper, climb that pipe and get up on the roof for a better angle. Wright, circle to the right and get ready to provide supporting fire with your heavy weapons. …though with your aim scores I don’t expect you to hit anything… Goo found! Not it! Not it! Not it! Aaaaah, you assholes! Fine. It better not turn me purple. Aliens by the gas pumps! I’ve got a bad angle, Wright, can you flank them? I’ll try! No need, friends! I can explode them both with one grenade right from here! No! Wait! I— Hahahahaha, the best sniper needs no rifle! Commander, please! Let me put it to you in terms your soldiers will understand: I can’t build you laser weapons if you keep blowing up their equipment! We’ll get to that later, I promise, Dr. Vahlen. Gaaaarrrrggshhhit, I was careful but some of it got on me anyway! Commander, we need to find out a better way of disarming their self-destructs! Vahlen’s working on it, Bar-lev. Sorry. We can’t even afford more than one grenade per soldier at the moment. Everyone, push through past the convenience store and into the fueling area. Watch your fire. I can hear them moving! They are somewhere behind these semi trucks! Also some goo. Not it. Not it! Not it. RRRRRRRGH you COCKSUCKERS! Not fair, I already got the last one! I will go for it! Moms are tough! drat! Two more by the goo! Make that four! They’re opening fire on me! And on me! AAAAAAHH! THAT HURTS. Heh heh heh heh. AHAHAHAHAHAH! Commander, permission to blow these bitches away with my rocket launcher! Denied! You’ll hit the goo. THANK you. Watkins, move up and blow away the two by the truck near you with a grenade. COMMANDER! I need to make sure all the rookies get some kills under their belt, doctor. Sorry. poo poo! There’s one behind me! Bad idea, bad idea! I’m backing off! gently caress it, I’m taking the shot anyway! Wright! Your cover is on fire! Back off! AHAHAHAAHAHAHAH! DIEEEEEE!  Wright blew his cover away! Prepare to face the wrath of the fastest pistol in the Baltic! poo poo! Gaauauuuugghhh! gggg…fffff…nnnnnn… Ahh, hell! Wright’s down! Making a dash for it! Hufff…huff…I’m right behind the thing, gimme a second to shoot it— No time! Frag out! *butts head against microphone repeatedly* Only one left! Running to a better position! Haha! You cannot hit me! …or can you…aaaaaaaiigghh, I’m bleeding out here! Medic! We can stabilize him in the Skyranger, but first we need to get that last alien! Already got it. You what?! How— Now I will get more alien goo on me, as agreed. *sigh* You drag Zin to the ship. I’ll bring Wright. …(crazy woman, what did you think would happen?) Good work, everyone. Well, mostly good work, everyone…*sigh* If only Wright had realized she was standing on a powder keg… Bar-Lev! You’re promoted. Watkins, you’re NOT promoted. No kills, no pay upgrade. Aww, man… Zinchenko will survive, but he’s in bad shape…we’ll need him in observation for a while. Excellent work, Commander, though we are…saddened…by your casualty. Oh…oh, MY. This is…weird. Hair is one thing, but I don’t even recognize myself in the mirror now! That’s a good look for you, though! Hah. I was more thinking how useful this would be to potential spies. A technology that can alter someone’s face and race in a matter of hours. If only we could control it. I’ve almost got it! Just one more day! “From the desk of Squaddie Frieda Wright” posted:
Speedball fucked around with this message at 05:00 on Jun 17, 2015 |
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Aug 27, 2014 22:15
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(are the character portrait names distracting or good?)
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Aug 27, 2014 22:18
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The portrait names are a good idea, since these people are barely established as characters and can be hard to keep track of otherwise. One random bit of feedback: suggest you use "Doctor" instead of "Dr." when at the ends of sentences; at one point it looks like the Commander calls Vahlen "Dr. Sorry", which sounds like a particularly lame Bond villain. Also, having that letter home at the end of the update was mean 
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Aug 27, 2014 22:40
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Speedball posted:(are the character portrait names distracting or good?) Awesome update. The names don't distract at all. I like them, it's good to see at one glance who's who.
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Aug 27, 2014 22:44
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Oh, yeah, and by the way: Bar-Lev has an aim score of 80, as a ROOKIE. If I can keep her alive she is going to be amazing.
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Aug 27, 2014 22:47
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Meldlust: The number one killer of early Squaddies.
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Aug 27, 2014 23:02
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TooMuchAbstraction posted:The portrait names are a good idea, since these people are barely established as characters and can be hard to keep track of otherwise. Or a particularly Canadian one 
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Aug 27, 2014 23:23
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Ah, the letter writing when this is over is going to be painful, but that task always is. Well, the only thing for it now is to keep a stiff upper lip and move on. That and reducing the aliens into pieces small enough to fit through a tea strainer.
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Aug 28, 2014 00:08
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Speedball posted:
Best line 
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Aug 28, 2014 00:26
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Let's hope Vahlen doesn't go Hojo on us.
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Aug 28, 2014 02:25
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Veloxyll posted:Best line You guys are all reading his lines in Heavy Weapons Guy's voice, right?
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Aug 28, 2014 02:31
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Lustful Man Hugs posted:You guys are all reading his lines in Heavy Weapons Guy's voice, right? There are other voices?
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Aug 28, 2014 06:20
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Oh, I'll outline it in the next update, but Zinchenko's aim skill is horrible for a squaddie sniper, just above 60 Aim. He really does need to rely on grenades to get by!
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Aug 28, 2014 06:30
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Aim 60 on a sniper? I don't believe I luck that bad...
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Aug 28, 2014 08:15
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Deathwind posted:Aim 60 on a sniper? I don't believe I luck that bad... That's lovely aim for anyone. 65 is the default for fresh faced rookies with NCE off. And for a sniper, aim is pretty much everything.
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Aug 28, 2014 10:12
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Speedball posted:(are the character portrait names distracting or good?) Very helpful for easily-confused old fools like myself 
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Aug 28, 2014 12:50
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Speedball posted:Oh, yeah, and by the way: Bar-Lev has an aim score of 80, as a ROOKIE. If I can keep her alive she is going to be amazing. I believe we have our very own Nittien in the works here. If she survives that is. Also you should totally ask Jade Star for his mission name file. Bloodly posted:He probably shouldn't. There's no need for cross-pollination. Maybe, but the default names are on the duller side I think so some more interesting variation is always nice. Not to mention the opportunity for jokes. Cooked Auto fucked around with this message at 14:30 on Aug 28, 2014 |
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Aug 28, 2014 14:26
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He probably shouldn't. There's no need for cross-pollination.
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Aug 28, 2014 14:28
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Speedball posted:(are the character portrait names distracting or good?) They're really helpful, thanks. Looked forward to this once you announced it in your CiV mods thread, glad to see this off of the ground. Shame about Wright there. Flaming cover is never a good thing. Was that an intentional mistake for the narrative, or did you just not notice it in your zeal to rocket the aliens? The letter home was a nice punch to the gut, though. And yes, that Israeli Squaddie with 80 Aim should be a beast assuming she survives and gets some more promotions under her belt. Too bad she didn't promote as a Sniper though, and is just a Support. Oh well, you have to work with what you get. GhostStalker fucked around with this message at 14:33 on Aug 28, 2014 |
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Aug 28, 2014 14:30
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Due to the cap of 6 people per squad, I doubt the portraits will get too out of hand in missions. Also, admit it. You intended to move Freida to safety, but just forgot you can't move after firing a rocket launcher. As have we all. GhostStalker posted:And yes, that Israeli Squaddie with 80 Aim should be a beast assuming she survives and gets some more promotions under her belt. Too bad she didn't promote as a Sniper though, and is just a Support. Oh well, you have to work with what you get. I never got around to beating the expansion, but I've always had both a soft spot for Supports, as well as a steady supply of them I cycle through so much I could field entire squads of "Not quite top ranks" Supports even with their casualties.
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Aug 28, 2014 20:18
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Look, if she wasn't tough enough to shrug off an exploding truck in her face, she shouldn't expect to stand with the rest of XCOM. 
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Aug 28, 2014 20:20
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One third honest mistake, one third role-playing, one third me realizing I didn't need to worry about keeping a heavy with 55 aim around. Though everyone gets an xp bonus if there are no casualties.
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Aug 28, 2014 20:20
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I need to get around to finishing my current run some time. Unfortunately since I got the expansion I've had a lot more critically injured soldiers flying into the stratosphere than previously. 
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Aug 28, 2014 20:25
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It might be a good idea to link The Definitive X-Com Commander's Guide in the OP for anyone who has somehow missed it. It's a different take on LPing this game, but a very good one.
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Aug 28, 2014 21:30
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Speedball posted:One third honest mistake, one third role-playing, one third me realizing I didn't need to worry about keeping a heavy with 55 aim around. Though everyone gets an xp bonus if there are no casualties. The RP bonus is funnier though. I wonder if X-Com will keep such a gung ho attitude to the safety of its operatives. With Bradford around, all signs point to yes.
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Aug 28, 2014 21:47
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Okay, this is already looking awesome.
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Aug 28, 2014 22:02
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Your approach to this is very satisfying, keep it up. It's likely been almost a year since I played this, but it was without mods or expansions. I don't remember this glowy orange meld poo poo, so obviously that's an expansion thinger. If I hadn't just bought Reaper of Souls...loving finances. Very much looking forward to seeing how you approach the ways this can go.
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Aug 29, 2014 06:29
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What meld does...will be covered in the very next update (probably sometime tomorrow) as that's when we finish our meld research! It does a LOT of cool stuff. But more that just unlocking new options for you, its mere existence on the map is a wonderful carrot to dangle in front of players to encourage them to not camp all the time.
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Aug 29, 2014 06:37
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I don't understand what's going on at all. And I love it. 
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Aug 29, 2014 07:07
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An enjoyable style, and the names on portraits works.
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Aug 29, 2014 07:44
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Zichenko might be the worst sniper, but he's my favorite character so far.
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Aug 29, 2014 08:27
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Can we 'revive' Wright as a tank? Does this game have tanks like the original x-com did? Might be cool.
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Aug 29, 2014 10:13
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Kitan posted:Can we 'revive' Wright as a tank? Does this game have tanks like the original x-com did? Might be cool.
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Aug 29, 2014 10:28
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FredMSloniker posted:There are SHIVs, but you have to complete research to get them. Sounds fun. Are they called SHIVs because you shiv aliens with them?
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Aug 29, 2014 10:50
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Kitan posted:Sounds fun. Are they called SHIVs because you shiv aliens with them? It's an acronym. Super Heavy Infantry Vehicle And you know what that means, agent? It means someone in engineering really wanted to call them shivs.
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Aug 29, 2014 10:56
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chiasaur11 posted:It's an acronym. That and they're so adorable, especially when they do their quick little hop over the top of half cover.
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Aug 29, 2014 12:23
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Speedball posted:What meld does...will be covered in the very next update (probably sometime tomorrow) as that's when we finish our meld research! I played through the game on normal difficulty without the expansion. Then a bit later the expansion went on sale, I grabbed it, and started a playthrough on Classic with the expansion content. And promptly got my poo poo wrecked, over and over again, from pushing forward to grab meld containers.
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Aug 29, 2014 14:53
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Can we get 3 more posts to make it to a new page? Working on update now but I don't want to imageflood.
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Aug 29, 2014 20:25
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| # ? May 6, 2024 23:54 |
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I'll do my part! Enjoying this so far, as someone who played The Bureau, very interested to see how you continue to weave it in.
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Aug 29, 2014 20:30
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