I got the US version, which I played with a VPN the last few days. Just fired it up for the first time without VPN. Works fine.

I also now get the "Play" button instead of the "Install", so my weekend isn't ruined. I will be on the lookout for an extra executable though, just in case.

AFAIK, there are only three version around. Russian, US and ROW. Unless you have US/Russian you are good to go wherever you are.

There were 6 versions actually. NA retail, NA steam, RU retail, RU steam, RoW retail, RoW steam. The RU Retail was always region locked, while the RU Steam wasn't. Yesterday, it became locked. Today, it appears unlocked again.
My SE is in the mail, but I did want to play on release, and Game took a while to verify my order, thus I got a second copy (RU steam).
Now to see who messed up, 2k or steam.

I unblock my xcom through vpn.follow this guidance

By far the biggest and worse problem I have with X-Com is the sign used to show ressources

§§

Really?

That is how we indicate laws in Germany. So whenever I see § 211 I see murder. Not a bunch of money ...

Be glad you see laws (or paragraph). Some people see Simoleons.

Either way it appears undone as my RU copy works just fine. It was blocked during the night itself after a patch though, but it seems they undid it. (luckily xD)

Well thats blimen annoying, it seems my special edition of xcom doesnt have the special editon folder on the 2nd install disc

I don't like how aliens get a free movement action upon discovering their location for the first time. In my last game I moved one of my guys into cover and immediately spots 2 chrysalids and 2 floaters who proceed to surround my soldiers. The one guy left who could fire back missed, although he couldn't have killed any of them anyway. Basically the battle was lost on my very first turn, during my movement phase.

I know what you mean. Still, seeing them react seems a bit more realistic then getting the drop on them just because it's your turn. Maybe it would be cool if there was some kind of statistical chance governing whether you are spotted or not. What difficulty are you playing on?

It's not free, it'll trigger overwatch, and they never fire during it. I grappling hook my snipers to the nearest raised platform and set them on "die bitch, die!" My assault Runs and Guns in, triggers them and 1-2 usually go down before I even set them on Overwatch or Fire. I have a Heavy ('nades and launcher, in case it gets hairy) and a pair of Supports I used to round out the team (half the time I swear my heavy is out injured).

Also, if you know a cluster is there, you're free to huck a grenade over the wall and it will hit them (say you reloaded because your favorite dude took a plasma crit to the noggin despite being in full cover or you missed your 90% hit "stun gun" thing and being point blank vs. their assault had inevitable results).

Anyway, once you get a bit higher level you have a lot of skills and gear that can help you exploit their whole cover thing. And even if something dangerous makes it to cover... well you did take "Flush" didn't you?:)
They will spot you based on noise, if you kick down a door or break glass they'll know you're there even if they haven't spotted you visually.

You can actually sneak onto enemies. With a sniper and "in the zone" this can have devastating results.

Just encountered my first Sectopod. Fuck, did that hurt.

Btw, is there any point in capturing more aliens alive? And can you capture mechanical aliens?

Are there some easier missions even later on in the campaign? Like some small UFO even in times when they are already using battleships to get some precious experience for rookies?