9 /10 3

XCOM 2 stands as one of gaming’s finest turn-based strategy experiences, rewarding careful squad management while punishing careless decisions with permanent soldier deaths. Released in 2016 on PC and ported to consoles, the XCOM 2 Collection bundles the base game, War of the Chosen expansion, and five DLC packs into a comprehensive package. Critics universally praised the concealment system’s tactical layer, procedural map generation ensuring replay value, and genuinely nail-biting permadeath consequences that transform low-probability failures into memorable squad tragedies. This review explores why XCOM 2 remains essential strategy gaming and how War of the Chosen expansion amplifies depth through new faction mechanics and alien adversaries.

How to Play XCOM 2

XCOM 2 combines real-time strategic base management with turn-based tactical combat missions. You command humanity’s last resistance cell against occupying aliens, balancing resources, research, and continent-wide operations with squad-level combat encounters across procedurally generated battlefields.

1. Controls – Keyboard and mouse (PC) or controller (console); targeting reticles and movement previews mitigate input learning curve; menu-driven interface scales identically across platforms
2. Progression – Complete 8-12 main campaign missions over 40-50 hours; base development unlocks new soldier classes and equipment; difficulty modifiers adjust alien resilience and player resource constraints
3. Combat/Mechanics – Squad of four to six soldiers engage enemies using action points; concealment grants initiative before enemies detect your position; overwatch creates reaction shots when enemies move within visible range
4. Tips – Always maintain overwatch coverage during enemy turns; utilize concealment for positional advantage; name soldiers to enhance emotional investment in squad losses; difficulty Classic and Impossible demand perfect execution

Who Should Play XCOM 2

XCOM 2 demands strategic thinking and tolerance for devastating failure, rewarding meticulous planning and emergent storytelling. Tactical enthusiasts valuing high-stakes decision-making over twitch reflexes gravitate toward XCOM’s punishing design. Permadeath transforms routine missions into emotional roller coasters where squad bonds deepen through shared trauma.

• Tactical Strategists – Players seeking genuine challenge through procedural scenarios requiring adaptation and risk assessment; no optimal solution exists
• PC Gamers – Mouse and keyboard interface optimizes precision targeting; Steam Workshop modding expands content indefinitely through community creations
• Permadeath Enthusiasts – Those embracing consequences; soldier deaths become permanent, forcing improvisation with limited roster and equipment
• Skip if – You dislike turn-based mechanics, demand action-focused gameplay, or cannot tolerate losing progress to unavoidable AI success rates below 100%

XCOM 2 Platform Performance

XCOM 2 scales across platforms with varying visual fidelity but consistent core gameplay. PC achieves 60+ FPS on recommended specs; consoles target 30-60 FPS with occasional loading stutters between missions. Switch version sacrifices resolution and draw distance for portability, running at 1080p docked (720p handheld) with frame rate dips during intensive combat.

XCOM 2 System Requirements

XCOM 2’s PC requirements remain modest by modern standards, running smoothly on gaming laptops and mainstream desktops from 2012 onward. Recommended specs ensure 1440p 60 FPS gameplay; exceeding them enables ultra settings at high refresh rates. War of the Chosen slightly increases minimum specs but remains accessible on equivalent hardware.

Similar Games to XCOM 2

XCOM 2’s blend of strategic base management and tactical squad combat attracts players seeking comparable experiences across genres. Civilization VI shares developer Firaxis’ turn-based philosophy; Fire Emblem offers character-driven tactical depth; Midnight Suns mirrors Marvel thematic layers with tactical mechanics. Each emphasizes decision-making over mechanical execution.

• Civilization VI – Turn-based grand strategy from same developer; planetary scope instead of squad-level focus; 8-20 hour playtimes
• Fire Emblem: Three Houses – Turn-based tactics with character relationship systems; deeper narrative than XCOM but less permadeath emphasis
• Marvel’s Midnight Suns – Tactical squad combat with Marvel IP; more forgiving than XCOM; emphasis on character progression and relationships
• XCOM: Enemy Unknown – XCOM 2’s predecessor; accessible entry point with less concealment-based depth but similar squad management core

XCOM 2 vs Competitors

XCOM 2 dominates turn-based tactical strategy through procedural map variation and permadeath consequences, differentiating itself from Fire Emblem’s narrative focus and Civilization VI’s planetary-scope abstraction. Midnight Suns offers accessibility through forgiving mechanics, while XCOM demands expertise. Price point favors XCOM’s accessibility; sales frequently discount it below $10 while competitors maintain $40-60 positioning.

XCOM 2 Story and World

XCOM 2 unfolds 20 years after humanity’s defeat in Enemy Unknown, with aliens establishing a New World Order promising prosperity while masking sinister agendas. You lead a shadow military cell from the Avenger, a converted alien transport, coordinating continent-wide resistance operations. Narrative unfolds through radio broadcasts and soldier interactions rather than cutscenes, immersing players in command center tension. War of the Chosen introduces three human factions—Reapers, Skirmishers, Templars—competing for alien-killing glory, alongside the Chosen, trinity of super-powered antagonists pursuing your commander personally. Storytelling emphasizes consequence; soldier deaths become permanent lost narratives, and mission failure genuinely threatens humanity’s survival.

XCOM 2 Multiplayer and Online

XCOM 2 focuses on single-player tactical excellence rather than competitive multiplayer. Challenge mode provides asynchronous competitive scenarios where players complete preset encounters attempting to beat global leaderboards. War of the Chosen adds soldier customization sharing, enabling community portrait and loadout exchange through Steam Workshop and console discovery systems.

• Challenge Mode – Single-mission scenarios with fixed enemy compositions; asynchronous leaderboard tracking kill counts and completion times
• Soldier Customization Sharing – Design unique soldier faces and names; share through Steam Workshop (PC) or in-game menus (consoles)
• Modding Community – Steam Workshop hosts thousands of mods expanding maps, troops, mechanics, and cosmetics; community patches enhance balance post-launch
• Cross-Play – No cross-platform multiplayer exists; community creations share across PC; console players access limited curated content

XCOM 2 DLC and Expansions

War of the Chosen ($39.99, frequently $3.99-$9.99 on sale) represents the definitive XCOM 2 experience, introducing three new resistance factions with hero classes, the Chosen as primary antagonists, and substantial mechanical additions elevating base game depth. The XCOM 2 Collection ($59.99) bundles everything including Alien Hunters, Shen’s Last Gift, and cosmetic packs, making it essential for console players and cost-effective even at full price.

• War of the Chosen – Major expansion ($39.99): New resistance factions (Reapers, Skirmishers, Templars), hero classes, Chosen antagonists, new maps, new missions, alien Spectre units, resistance tactical layers
• Alien Hunters – DLC ($9.99): Three new alien rulers, unique weapons/armor, elite training mission chain
• Shen’s Last Gift – DLC ($9.99): New soldier Psi operative class, new mission chain, unique cosmetics
• Free Updates – Reinforcement Pack ($9.99) bundles three cosmetic DLC originally sold separately; regular balance patches refined difficulty through 2017

XCOM 2 Community and Support

XCOM 2’s community thrives through Steam Workshop on PC, with thousands of mods extending gameplay indefinitely. The official 2K forums remain active for technical support; Reddit’s r/Xcom maintains engagement with strategy discussions and playthrough narratives. Post-launch support concluded in 2017 after War of the Chosen, with no new content planned. Community patches addressing balance persist through modding tools, ensuring continued relevance despite developer abandonment.

• Official Forums – 2K Games hosts technical support; community strategy discussions; developer engagement concluded post-War of the Chosen
• Reddit and Discord – r/Xcom dominates strategy discussion and permadeath playthrough sharing; Discord communities organize challenge runs and ironman tournaments
• Mod Support – Steam Workshop hosts 5,000+ mods; unrestricted mod tools enable community balance patches and content creation indefinitely
• Updates – Regular patches through 2016-2017; War of the Chosen added content September 2017; no development post-expansion; community maintains through mods