XCOM & Highfleet Had A Baby. And It's AMAZING(ly brutal) - Mech Engineer Day 1 Tutorial!

[@minsova]

Aavak did such an amazing job reading the opening lore bit that I had to do a double take to make sure it was Aavak and not the game audio.

[@Aavak]

Thank you very much indeed ^^

[@nosferatulite6086]

My first thought (having already played) was "Can we convince the devs to make this the ACTUAL voice over for the game...."

[@GtierGoes]

I second this.

[@Hectonkhyres]

Seriously, the man needs to become a professional voice actor separate from his letsplays.

[@donwald3436]

It took me until that very slight hitch in the bottom third that made me realise this was not professionally recorded lol.

[@skaianDestiny]

The developer shared this video on the official Discord! Excellent work!

[@Aavak]

That's very kind of them indeed!

[@Shirocco7]

Waste not, want not! The game UI is painfully hard to figure out.

[@AugustusSinclairWhite]

This comment is showing interest in a full series.

[@scott3594]

Yes 🎉

[@MrNorker77]

This comment doesn't care either way. The person writing it however would be very exited for a series. (Sorry, couldn't resist. I am fun at parties, trust me!)

[@spheroid-collective]

I am autistically excited for the prospect of a full series on this game

[@silkmonkey]

I love series covering interesting games that I am too dumb to be able to play properly. 🤷‍♂️

[@Iridium-77-g]

Series, series, series!

[@Ottertuber]

Hell YEAH! This game is amazing but very difficult. It feels like I'm actually role-playing as a Mech Engineer. Thanks for bringing attention to this amazing work of passion.

[@Aavak]

It's an absolute gem of a game, glad to have the opportunity to show it off a bit :D

[@michaelray3865]

SplatterCat introduced me to this… can’t wait for Aavak to take it up!

[@TheNextDecade244]

I'll be honest at first I didn't quite comprehend that those billions of tiny dots on the combat map were all enemies. And then it hit me. Dear lord.

[@Aavak]

Haha, yeah. The waves of enemies crashing against the city XD

[@theeutecticpoint]

Man, Microprose, that brings back some good memories, I hope this new operation can do justice to the name!

[@SomtimesHeron]

Go wiki the history of Microprose it's brilliant

[@paulie-g]

Well, it was restarted by someone with a connection to old Microprose and out of the same sense of nostalgia, so I don't think abusing the name is going to be the problem. Sadly, it appears they're working on a shoestring budget with not a lot of marketing, because the games they've published so far haven't sold particularly well. The name was always going to attract indy devs, because for people of our age being published by Microprose is a tremendous badge of honour (even if it's not old Microprose), but that won't continue if they can't demonstrate that they can help devs sell their games. I'm holding my fingers crossed for them, would absolutely love it if they manage to make a go of it.

[@danis8455]

@@paulie-g For what it is im pretty sure high fleet sold very well. i mean SsethTzeentach made a video about it :P

[@paulie-g]

@@danis8455 Yeah, Highfleet probably sold about 150-200k copies. However, I'm not sure how much they had to do with its development or success. Arguably, Highfleet should have sold more given the streamer exposure, niche as it is. Still, at least that gives MicroProse a small warchest to continue, so that's good.

[@PlaySA]

The new MicroProse has put out a number of games of varying quality. Some are arcadey and some are super in-depth and grognardy, like this one. I like what they're doing, loved Highfleet and Carrier Command 2, but this game actually had me stumped. Hope they keep doing what they're doing because games like these are an import part of the hobby.

[@reverse_engineered]

There's no way I could play this myself, but I'm enjoying watching you play it. I look forward to a series!

[@koghs]

Oh, finally someone worth watching is playing the thing! I had just the worst time figuring it out. Thank you so much my man.

[@Aavak]

You're more than welcome :)

[@LanderKoenig]

Agreed, it’s hell, but is our hell

[@Chronosv2]

This is wonderful. When I first heard of this game it looked impenetrable so I didn't jump on it. Your introduction here has made this easily understandable, and I'm looking forward to more!

[@Aavak]

Super happy to hear that :D

[@darkocelot7342]

Oh boy. This tickles my XCOM2 senses, which may just be my favorite gameplay in any game. The mixture of strategic and tactical, the feeling of building up a base and exploring and researching and engineering... I am very, very interested in a full series, especially from you Aavak! This tutorial was very informative.

[@Aavak]

Very glad you enjoyed it :)

[@RabidHobbit]

Don't know when I'll get to playing it, but I'm going to buy this just to support such a passionate and detailed dev. What an impressive effort.

[@andrewsapelli8989]

Love the idea of a first taste mini series over an extended first taste situation. Honestly I wouldn't mind if this turned into a full series!

[@ExtraRaven_]

i would love to see more of this game! i tried it myself and didnt even know you could configure weapons until now lol. i always enjoy watching someone who knows what they're doing playing this type of game. and you did a great job compressing all that information without it feeling too info-dump-y. thanks for making great videos :>

[@Aavak]

Really glad you felt it wasn't too much of an info dump, that was my biggest worry going into this video after having played through the start so many times; there was such an accumulation of little bits of info about this or that system that were all vying to get out XD

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

"You don't want me to be sat here explaining the ins and outs of every detail." Don't you tell me what I do and don't want, I love listening to you explain things! :P

[@sik3xploit]

It's so great seeing devs who have love for their work, I will always support that.

[@nobob8564]

This has happened before. At first glance, I didn't think the game would be for me, or very good, but then I watch Avak's video, and by the end I had my mind changed. I'll probably be picking this one up. This is why I watch this channel, for all these interesting games, where if I saw the on Steam's store page, I wouldn't even give them a second glance, and I end up missing out on a very interesting and fun game. Thanks for showcasing this one.

[@Aavak]

You're more than welcome, and I'm so glad I was able to shine enough light on this gem to get you to take a second look!

[@jane_gorelove]

will probably never have mental energy to play this myself, but watching a series would be amazing, love the insane level of detail in this game!!

[@caligo7918]

I played the original UFO game on my Amiga 600 and had to get a PC for TftD. Man, i love those games! Back then, you got a book with the game and reading that was basically the tutorial, no chance to play without... This game looks vast and full of newbie traps. No wonder that it took a few runs to get this far!

[@aronseptianto8142]

the vibe for this game is just immaculate. it really does feel like you're playing a war of attrition. It has the isolation feel of being the last city on earth. It has that feeling of looming doom that is followed along with 'oh well, time to get on with it i guess'. All of this is done purely with fancy UI work i don't think I'll ever play this game myself but I'll enjoy and look forward to see aavak take a proper crack at it

[@breden.l]

This is a fantastic intro to the game! I’ve had this game in my steam library for a while, barely touched, but this has inspired me to take another stab at it!

[@Aavak]

I really hope you enjoy :D

[@LeperFriend1837]

Thank you for this! Oh this game looks like my cup of tea! Also while I'm here, I need to thank you for showing me The Last Spell all those months ago. Hands down one of my favorite games ever.

[@Aavak]

You're very welcome :D

[@Alexandragon1]

Thx for the guide and the video! Also, the reading of the introductory story was done amazingly!

[@okonkwojones]

12:18 I don’t understand…how can it not be “nice”? You have shaken me to my very core, Mr. Aavak.

[@05Matz]

Ooooh, very much my sort of game. Glad to see these complex simulation-managerial games coming slowly back into fashion, now that our hardware and software capabilities are so much better!

[@leootp22]

This game is deep system wise! Great job on explaining all the many many different systems and layers involved. Love this and will be watching the series!

[@Aavak]

Thank you :D

[@geoffreyentwistle8176]

A mini series of this would absolutely be something I'd watch! I love that you take time to break down the mechanics - you showed me a few things I'd never caught on to when I played the demo!

[@Aavak]

I'm really happy to hear you enjoyed the video, and glad I could shine a light on some of the mechanics for you. I really love games like this, with depth to the design elements of mechs / ships, not just focusing on what you do with them.

[@MrEuklides]

Oh, full series please! I truly enjoy your take on in depth strategy.

[@Disarcade]

This is a stellar game and a glorious video. I can't think of a more perfect combination. Now I wish for two things - to play the game myself and an extensive video series!!!

[@Pepper_Pip]

I'm only 5 minutes in, and you've sold me on this being a game I will love

[@Aavak]

I hope you get to pick it up for yourself, and enjoy it as much as I am ^^

[@StarlasAiko]

I am glad to see MicroProse returning to Indy Game quality and philosophy of games

[@danjal87nl]

Something tells me the learning cliff meme may apply to this game. 😂

[@zhuljens]

Which one?

[@ThePlayerOfGames]

​@@zhuljens WoW, Everquest, EVE Online where the curves are higher and higher gradient until you end up with EVE that finishes in a cliff with dead bodies all over it

[@LanderKoenig]

This ain’t a learning cliff, it’s a learning mountain, covered in landmines, and a full fortress at the top ready to kick your ass

[@Tyrope]

@@ThePlayerOfGames You cannot give examples of learning cliffs and then NOT mention Dwarf Fortress...

[@piedpiper1172]

@@TyropeAn infinite slope isn’t a cliff

[@suppermike777]

units of weight are somewhere between 10 pounds and 10 Kilograms, leaning to the KG side. For the default builds, 90kg would be spot on for a 20mm aircraft based autocannon, and that lines up with 60+40 for the pilots seat in person and gear.

[@Tyrope]

I was going to say "So, a Metric Tonne?" but that's 1000kg, isn't it?

[@jankoodziej877]

They would mean each of those mechs weigh less than a typical car. That would seem crazy low. I was thinking more like 100 kg per unit. But then realistically weighting mechs would not be able to move on a hardened surface... Either way weird, probably why the game doesn't specify the unit.

[@kholdanstaalstorm6881]

I'm here at 5:40 and had to stop now, to calm myself down and steel my resolve that was washed away by those opening minutes. Already my mind is racing with ideas, tactics and a flood of nostalgia, because I've played the first OG X-Com within a couple of years of it's release. So the sales pitch had oodles more hooks than a octopus hook and I'm already so sold on the idea I can hear the fear from my credit card from the other end of the house... Aavak delivers a masterpiece painting when setting the stage and have an exceptional skill to nail it to the game framework, absolutely legendary storyteller! Now I've had my 15 minutes to get ready and I'll dive once more into the breach!

[@kholdanstaalstorm6881]

Darn Aavak... You were oh so right... I see a lot of time evaporate because of this... Full series please!

[@GhostOfBuscemi]

Oh what an enticing title though...you have my attention

[@Aavak]

I hope you enjoy the video mate :D

[@sebastiang.5032]

I can't believe the details of mechanics that got put into this game. Great video, I'm learning much here.

[@Aavak]

Cheers, I'm glad the video is helpful :)

[@kimbosan1]

Nice, great explanation of engine engineering. Melee mining tool is must have in tunnel maps, it gives you ability to dig your own way into nests and avoid bad encounters in limited space

[@strategicowl192]

Praise be for mechs, the potential of a series and St. Algorithmus!

[@nazaxprime]

I'm all about a full series of this. 🤞

[@zotaninoron3548]

I did a double take when I saw the setting screen 2 minutes in and it said published by Microprose. Nostalgia hit like a freight train.

[@Aavak]

I know right?! A glorious freight train full of exquisite torture... and while that statement is 100% accurate to the experience of most Microprose games, I just now realised how much like a cenobite it makes me sound. Hmm...

[@MandoDeLaTelevision]

I have been playing this awesome game since alpha, i have 73h (never beated the game) played and never saw a better tutorial for the 1.0. Now is gonna be different, i had too much info and changes from all the years of dev. So this video is like the definitive tutorial with the last updates included (this game had changed so much, so many times...) ty Aavak!

[@Aavak]

You're more than welcome :D

[@Lacarait]

This is tickling all the strategy and complexity loving parts of my brain. How exciting!

[@Aavak]

I hope you enjoy the series!

[@TheRedBrain]

So this is the forth taste? Depending on how you look at it, that's kinda gross :P Also: Our First Turn Great!

[@aaron8977]

I think this game is super freaking cool. There are so many systems and it’s so in depth. It can feel tedious at times but once the game starts to open up you feel how important that complication is to the game

[@Aavak]

Yeah, very much so!

[@Laenthal]

This video is the only thing i have seen about the game yet, but now i'm veeery hooked. Good job explaining all the little interface knobs while not being boring. I'd add that the only XCOM-ish part i saw is in the story plot (and it's rather closer to Aftermath than to TftD), not gameplay or mechanics. The combat so far is just a survivors-type of thing.

[@Aavak]

The comparison to XCOM is more the 'style' of the game, than the gameplay to be fair, and original XCOM (UFO: Defence) than the modern reboots. But I have to take a moment to praise the comparison to Aftermath, such an amazing franchise that one!

[@Shirocco7]

Golly. This game needs tutorials like this, like a car needs wheels. It's nigh impenetrable without one. Good work mate.

[@KaizerKilborn]

I set up in the exact same spot, with the exact same mech set-up and weapons, and very similar pilots. I had a TPK defending and lost due to turret explosions from my terrible positioning.

[@Aavak]

Ooof, yeah, turret explosions are really painful, it's why I take out the self destruct on mechs, it's the same type of explosion I'm pretty sure.

[@NoName5589]

I pressed all the buttons under the video! Well just the important ones really.. For real though I've had my eye on this game for years but it was always a little daunting to jump into. I'm so glad you've done this first video at least. It's very well done and gives an amazing starting point for someone new coming into the game

[@Aavak]

You're more than welcome, I had a great time making the video so I'm really happy folks are finding it helpful!

[@NoName5589]

Honestly it brings me back to the early days of learning Cataclysm DDA. The key back then was having the manual ready and watching a really good series on it. It looks like we finally have access to both

[@AcudocFritz]

Please do more of this. I really like your take on this. You make the tinkering with the mechs fun!

[@Xyrin1]

I stumbled onto this series this morning, and when I saw the graphics on the menu I had a feeling but when you mentioned Microprose it really sealed it for me. I grew up playing their games. (F-117 and such when I was younger)

[@MaleniaLi]

OMW to buy this game right now. Just the perfect mix of classic xcom and battletech that I want. Also pixel art

[@Wolfineer_]

Splatty put this one on my watch radar and I've been very tempted, would love to see an attempt at a series!

[@compwiz13]

I adore this game but the day 1 learning curve is incredibly daunting. I'm very tempted to try it again after watching this video though

[@Aavak]

That makes me /very/ happy to hear, and is exactly why I chose to make this into a mini-series instead of trying to just cram as much as I could into one video, as it wouldn't have afforded me the time to really spent on any of the mechanics to really explain them as much as I wanted to!

[@Cuthawolf]

Really enjoyed this video. It's a bit too dense of a game for me to play, but I really enjoy watching it played. Hope to see a whole series, or at least an extended taste.

[@evanurquhart9044]

really enjoyed the video, adding my comment to those who'd like a first series (and also those who've said this game looks too hard for me, but really fun to watch).

[@Diarmuhnd]

Game looks fun! Fits right into the GammaWorld/XCom/Hive Fleet/Forever Winter multiverse floating around in my head.

[@nazaxprime]

I'm a bit busy so my algorithmic contributions Will Be steady and sustained over a long period of time. I might not get to binge this but I really hope it becomes a long series so I can for a very long time. 😎👍

[@Aavak]

Any contribution is warmly appreciated and gratefully received :D

[@nazaxprime]

@@Aavak back at ya, and thanks for the years of positivity, fam. Pew pew!

[@milestailprower]

This game looks crazy! It looks like a lot of passion was put into this! Shoutouts to Microprose for being Gigachads who make great games.

[@Aavak]

I know right? The fact that Microprose got bought up, split up and abandoned by a big company, then some wealthy fan decided they missed the games so much, that they bought out the rights to as much of the old Microprose IP as they could find, even bought the rights to the name and old Logo, and /specifically/ uses it to makes games like Microprose used to is WILD to me. Even got some of the old founders on board. Absolute legend.

[@alphaarts2952]

A new game found thanks to you. This is right up my alley being a avid battle tech enjoyed and a cdda player. This is hitting all the bells and whistles of a great and unforgiving game

[@rabidpistol9722]

I would love a full series on this!

[@LordGecko01]

Please make this a full series!

[@jonathanspangenberg1563]

Wow, what an interesting game. Thank you for helping me understand the reactor tuning.

[@pip7286]

Please play this, it is something I would love to explore but can only explore vicariously through others!

[@Terrorkittens]

This game sure has STIMULATION. I mean, INFORMATION. So much of it. It's a dense cake of succulent, heavy data. I have no idea what is going on, my ADHD brain is utterly overwhelmed, but for some reason I'm entirely hooked watching this anyway. Maybe by episode ten something will make sense!

[@chiptastick-7823]

I'd love to see a series on this. This looks like a cool game.

[@Ninjanoto2]

this was very well explained and at least for me took out some of that info overload that comes with games like this.. i did like some of the moments where you deep dived into the mech lab parts like the reactor and the guns

[@GaryGammarid]

Amazing relay of information :) I am definitely interested in watching more of this!

[@FrostWolfPack]

Daum Bring more of this, Heck Start series!!

[@Shaddymaze]

Well made! Def. interested in series.

[@adamcumley3950]

I agree with you on the Microprose thing, I didnt even realise they were still around. I am 5 minutes to this video, it looks like Automation for mechs instead of cars.

[@EroFelipe]

Man, this game is hard and I loved. Really enjoying the video.

[@namiest8639]

This game looks sick. It has a fun art style. Thanks for showing it.

[@Aavak]

You're more than welcome!

[@EpsilonRosePersonal]

That introduction was fantastic.

[@danis8455]

Im so happy each time a good game is released under microprose honoring one of the most legendary names in game history

[@Michael-bn1oi]

Ahh, excellent stuff. Going to have to try this out! Hope you're doing well, man.

[@orbitalostrich2629]

That intro bit was so so cool!

[@Aavak]

Thank you :D

[@eternalmonsoon8103]

Looks great conceptually but I would suggest people try highfleet as a similar concept , but also invest in this as a grand conceptual title. I love the intention.

[@Solusphere]

I'd also like to see a full series of this!

[@gryphon0468]

Damn dude. Thank you for this video. Finally someone who doesn’t frustrate the shit out of me playing this.

[@Aavak]

You're more than welcome mate, glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@trickesterlsx543]

So aavak needs a VA job he did a great job with the lore

[@chumbaba2850]

Great explanations for dummies like me. 👍

[@gavinladd5449]

That into was Fantastic!

[@m4c0br]

This game is insane. But Aavak somehow made it kinda simple to understand. ❤

[@Aavak]

I'm very glad to hear it :)

[@iron1164]

This game looks busy. It's great. Hopping to see more!

[@timeiseverthing]

I have been waiting for this!

[@LowbrowDeluxe]

Saw Splat show it, bought it immediately, still haven't played as I wait for more youtubers to have videos showing me how.

[@Aavak]

Completely understand, this is a dense game!

[@ShakalDraconis]

The way Aavak described the interface and interactions at the beginning, I know exactly how I will describe this to others. "This is either not your kind of game, At ALL, or, very rarely, it is PRECISELY the game you NEED right NOW. It is either not your thing, or it is PRECISELY your thing."

[@Aavak]

There is no middle ground!

[@Yokoto12343]

oh please let this be a full series!

[@robertraman6307]

Subscribed when he explained that he would like to have a mech in his garden towering his neighbors😂

[@TaylorfromPapaLouie]

Oh great Algorithm... Please accept thee comment as a sacrifice to sate thy hunger, and to spread thee video far and wide. On another note, i would love to see this turn into a full series like cosmoteers.

[@justinpeterson7246]

Oh man, such an awesome build-up to an absolute let-down of a battle. They did so many things right and botched it hard on the battle graphics. Stick figure mechs playing pong vs 9999 opponents is what my brain interpreted

[@hfries1788]

Please tell me you'll make a series on this game, this game looks amazing

[@Hermslice]

O thank God!!! So excited to see aavak play this!!!

[@Aavak]

Glad you're looking forward to it!

[@Hermslice]

@@Aavak binged both episodes!! I have been trying to play this on my own. Getting some aavak knowledge helps a ton!!

[@LanderKoenig]

Finally someone covers this one

[@Jackal2991]

Fun fact, 'Vodorod' means 'Hydrogen' in Russian. And 'Yug' means 'South'. Meaning the production ship that evacuated people is in translation called Hydrogen-South.

[@Aavak]

Thank you for the translation!

[@danielhomant2832]

For no particular reason i can pinpoint, the primary reference this game brings to me is Knights of Sidonia. Just sans slice of life harem.

[@jacthing1]

I would definitely like it to be a full series

[@takirosh]

When I learned he started in Norway I cheered in joy.

[@ardbug9577]

I watched a streamer play this and I knew afterwards that I would never play it ... then I watched this video a few days ago and it really made me antsy, today I bought it, watched this video one more time and I feel ready to suffer the complexity and cruelty this game is about to dish out, so thanks for this series, I shall be watching and playing along :)

[@ZeratKJ]

complicated, impresive,love the art style :)