So it goes . . . Intro & X-Com

I'm Jared
I'm in a relationship
I like video game, card games, comics and just games in general.

It is tough sometimes finding people to play card or board games with. We have a pair of neighbors, but they are normally busy. Anyone who gets introduced seems to not care for them or are busy as well.

It could be though I got into the swing of gaming later in life. I am in my mid twenties and most people around my age have a lot on their plate and thus have no time for them, but I press on.

Anyway!

X-Com: Enemy Unknown came out. The above picture is of the cover of the 2nd game in the X-Com series. I am sure you can guess the title. Pretty rad series of games. The newest is no exception.

Been having a lot of fun and it brings me back to the days when games weren't holding your hand so much. You will lose soldiers and sometimes you may lose missions. Hell! You can even lose the game. A lot of that doesn't really happen in many modern games. You get plenty of checkpoints and saves and the like to make sure you succeed.

Failing sucks. But also you grow and learn from it. X-Com harkens back to that time in gaming where you had to work, sometimes hard, to reach the goal and even then it wasn't a sure bet. I remember playing Jagged Alliance 2 (great game by the way) and taking the time and care to retake the Arulco and take down the horrible dictator Deidranna. It wasn't easy, but when I finally freed the people of Arulco it was satisfying and inspiring and made my day!

That's what I feel is missing from a lot of gaming today. Specifically video games. A lot of the time it feels like you are rails, sometimes you are, and I am just going through the motions and watching events unfold without any real effect on them.

X-Com brings it back. And makes me nostalgic for older games like Baldur's Gate 2 or Dark Forces 2: Jedi Knight. Those are among my favorite games and my fondest gaming memories. I felt connected to them. I was immersed in the universe and could actually make an impact.

But for now, we are stuck with games that cost millions to make without as much soul as games that took only a handful of people to create on a paltry budget by today's standards.

                                                       One guy made this and helped create
                                                       a series of games that I lost myself
                                                       in. Having countless adventures with
                                                       stalwart comrades.