I got started on my game on PS3 yesterday. I'm currently playing it on Normal difficulty. I have a belief that when difficulty options are available Normal/Medium should be the experience the developers intend you to have. So, this is my learning the ropes game.
My squad is now 5 units. We have one each laser rifle and laser pistol as well as 3 sets of nanotube body vests (why does this replace grenades, SCOPES, etc.?), 2 SCOPEs, 2 Arc Throwers, and a media it, with my support unit upgraded to use it three times a mission. I have autopsied three species of aliens and interrogated a live sectoid. I just shot down my second UFO and saved it at the beginning of the investigation mission.
I currently have two satellites up and am building a third, along with a new uplink facility.
I am beginning to think I should have gone Ironman this go, as I haven't gone back and loaded an old save. So far, I have only lost one man, not counting the three you are forced to stupidly use and get killed in the first tutorial mission.
The key to success is not to use both moves if you can. Keep well positioned soldiers in overwatch mode as much as possible. Place them to best support your soldiers making a tactical move. I'd say 25% of my kills are from aliens attempting to gain position on my primary advance units and being taken out by strategically placed overwatchers.
My greatest mistake was not getting my only sniper (who has experienced every mission to date)to higher ground and him getting critically wounded by a Floater. My Medic managed to stabilize him in time. After she was promoted that mission I upgraded her to be able to revive critically wounded soldiers. Saving my sniper felt good, but I still lacked a vital part of my team.
One strategy I use is customizing a similar appearance to each class. That way you don't even have to glance at the HUD to know what your abilities are. I went with the helmets for Assault, Heavy, and Sniper classes. My Support class has no helmet but a standout hair color, like bright red. Rookies are in standard armor in bright green.
I wonder if anyone else has just taken the given names for their units. I ask because I want to know if my sniper earned the nickname Cyclops because he is a sniper, or because I gave him the helmet with the thin red visor. Or is it a combo?
Anyway, tons of fun. Plays great and is just the way I wanted the game to be.