Play TC plot with AP installed?

[Bane_v2]

Can you play through the TC plot with AP installed?

AP is considered DLC for TC so I would think yes, but the Steam page for AP says it's not compatible with TC saves so maybe not? I'd like to play through both the TC and AP plots with AP installed so I can utilize all of the improvements AP brings to the game.

If it's not possible let me ask you this: would you play TC first and then install AP, or jump right to AP?

Edit: I forgot to mention that the last X game I put any real time into was X3: Reunion. I haven't completed the plot for any X game released after that. I'm not even sure if the TC and AP plots are related, or if they're completely separate.

[Timsup2nothin]

Short answer is no. Longer answer is that there's a mod for that.

In general, the plots in TC are fun...more fun than in Reunion. I'd be inclined to recommend a "plot focused" game or two of TC. Don't try to build up a giant empire that you will then have to abandon, just play through the plots and get the flavor, except the HUB plot which I think you can get enough of a flavor of by just talking to people on the forum about how ridiculous it is. Once you've done as many plots as you really are interested in, move to AP for real long term empire building play.

Just my opinion, of course.

[jlehtone]

Installing AP has no effect on the TC. The two are essentially separate games. The AP simply uses (and thus depends on) some components of TC. The AP does not have any of the TC plots.

Therefore, you can install both now and play both whenever you like. Play TC to see its plots. Play AP to see its plots. Probably TC first, not for the "plot continuity" (for there is none), but for "advancing to improvements". (I did jump from X3R into Xbtf and I can assure you that that order and experience was quite Spartan.)


Tim did refer to a mod (for AP) that adds TC-like plot(s?) to the AP. That is as close to "play through both the TC plot with all of the improvements AP brings to the game" as you can get. I cannot see how it could reproduce all TC missions.

[Timsup2nothin]

Tim did refer to a mod (for AP) that adds TC-like plot(s?) to the AP. That is as close to "play through both the TC plot with all of the improvements AP brings to the game" as you can get. I cannot see how it could reproduce all TC missions.

Yeah, I should have noted that I've never actually tried it, so my "there's a mod for that" was pure hearsay.

[Bane_v2]

Thanks for the info!

If there isn't any continuity between TC and AP I'll probably jump right to AP. Is there any continuity between any of the X games?

[jlehtone]

There is some. It is same "world" after all.

Spoiler

Show

Xbtf: Terran test pilot Kyle Brennan accidentally jumps into X-Universe and ends up helping in the fight against Xenon.
X Tension: Kyle does business, no plot
X2 the Threat: Pirate Julian Gardna learns that his father is/was Kyle Brennan. Kha'ak show up and Julian joins the fight.
X3 Reunion: Julian helps Kyle to get back to Earth.
X3 Terran Conflict: Totally different player character does things. Kha'ak are pushed back. Terrans are annoying.
X3 Albion Prelude: Totally different player character does things. Terrans wage war against Commonwealth.

[SirNukes]

Yeah, I should have noted that I've never actually tried it, so my "there's a mod for that" was pure hearsay.

It's a good mod (ignoring a couple hiccups). I'm personally a plot lover, and getting to do all of TC+AP in one go was great.