8 /10 11

XCOM 2 stands as one of the finest turn-based tactics games of the 2010s, placing players in command of Earth’s last resistance against an alien occupation. Released in February 2016 for PC with console ports following September 2016, this sequel modernized the tactical genre while introducing procedural level generation and concealment mechanics that fundamentally changed how squad combat plays out. Critics praised its strategic depth and approachability, making it accessible to newcomers while delivering enough complexity to satisfy veterans of the original UFO Defense. Firaxis balanced intense difficulty with meaningful player agency, allowing both permadeath campaigns and more forgiving difficulties depending on preference. This review examines XCOM 2’s gameplay systems, platform performance, online capabilities, and value proposition compared to similar strategic experiences.

How to Play XCOM 2

XCOM 2 combines squad-based tactical combat with light strategic base management. You command four-soldier squads through turn-based battles against procedurally-generated alien forces, using cover, flanking, and ability timing to achieve objectives. Between missions, manage the Avenger mobile base, conduct research, and develop new technology.

1. Controls – PC uses mouse and keyboard; console versions feature redesigned controller support with radial menus. The learning curve is moderate; tutorials introduce core mechanics gradually.
2. Progression – Complete story missions, side objectives, and covert ops to research upgrades, recruit soldiers, and delay the Avatar Project (your failure condition). Successfully prevent alien colonization across eight in-game months.
3. Combat and Mechanics – Squad command is action-point based: move, shoot, or use abilities per turn. Concealment systems reward scouting before engagement. Flanking bonuses, cover mechanics, and environmental hazards create tactical moments where single decision-making determines squad survival.
4. Tips – Prioritize capturing alien tech for research; build redundant soldiers to handle permanent losses on Classic difficulty; use cover ruthlessly; understand that failing some missions is acceptable if the Avatar Project doesn’t reach maximum progress.

Who Should Play XCOM 2

XCOM 2 appeals to strategy enthusiasts seeking tactical depth with narrative stakes, though high difficulty can frustrate players preferring relaxation-focused gaming. The game rewards methodical thinking and risk assessment.

• Tactical Strategy Fans – Players who love Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics, or Divinity: Original Sin will find XCOM 2’s squad command deeply satisfying with consequences that matter across entire campaigns.
• Roguelike Enthusiasts – Procedurally-generated maps combined with permadeath mechanics create replayability; each campaign feels distinct despite similar mission structures.
• Narrative-Driven Gamers – Squad members gain personality through barks, customization, and relationships; losing a favorite soldier stings emotionally, elevating strategic decisions beyond pure optimization.
• Skip if – You dislike high difficulty, turn-based pacing, or lengthy campaigns (40+ hours baseline). Action-focused players or those seeking real-time strategy should explore alternatives.

XCOM 2 Platform Performance

XCOM 2 scales across platforms with notable quality variations. PC delivers the definitive experience with higher resolutions and frame rates, while console versions compromise visual fidelity but maintain core gameplay integrity. Load times exceed one minute consistently across all platforms, a notable downside.

XCOM 2 System Requirements

PC demands vary widely depending on desired graphical fidelity. Minimum specs support the full experience at reduced settings; recommended specs enable high-resolution gameplay with enhanced particle effects and animations without compromise.

Similar Games to XCOM 2

Several titles share XCOM 2’s strategic depth or tactical focus, though each brings distinct mechanics. These alternatives offer comparable gameplay loops with unique twists on turn-based engagement.

• Civilization 6 – Grand strategy 4X game emphasizing empire building over squad tactics; offers comparable depth but lacks real-time combat decisions and permadeath consequences.
• Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Turn-based tactical RPG with superior narrative freedom and environmental manipulation; more flexible character building but lacks XCOM’s sci-fi setting and rigid squad structure.
• Fire Emblem: Three Houses – Tactical grid-based warfare with romance-focused narrative; matches XCOM’s permadeath anxiety but incorporates visual novel relationship systems.
• Total War: Warhammer III – Real-time strategy with tactical battle pause; offers larger-scale warfare but trades XCOM’s intimate squad focus for massive army management.

XCOM 2 vs Competitors

Direct comparison with turn-based tactical games reveals XCOM 2’s strengths in difficulty scaling and replay value. Competitive titles offer different emphases: Civ 6 favors long-term empire strategy, Fire Emblem emphasizes character relationships, and Divinity excels at emergent combat scenarios.

XCOM 2 Story and World

Twenty years before the campaign begins, humanity surrenders unconditionally to alien forces. The game opens with XCOM resistance operatives disrupting a propaganda broadcast, establishing the player as leader of Earth’s last organized military force. The Elders oversee human civilization through puppet governments, extracting resources and consolidating control. Your mission involves investigating the Avatar Project, a mysterious initiative targeting Earth’s genetic makeup. The narrative unfolds through soldier conversations, council messages, and discovered documents, creating environmental storytelling alongside cutscenes. Unlike the first game’s Earth-based defense, XCOM 2 reverses dynamic: humans attack from shadows while aliens occupy every nation. This shift transforms your soldiers from elite protectors into desperate guerrillas. The War of the Chosen expansion introduces three powerful alien hybrids hunting your commander specifically, elevating personal stakes and relationship dynamics through repeated encounters.

XCOM 2 Multiplayer and Online

XCOM 2’s multiplayer offered competitive squad battles but faced diminishing player numbers. Firaxis retired multiplayer support for Steam in March 2022, though console versions (PS4, Xbox One) retain online functionality. Multiplayer emphasized faction selection and point budgets creating varied squads.

• Squad Battle Mode – One-on-one competitive matches where players select XCOM or ADVENT squads within point limits, battling across procedurally-generated maps with objectives like extraction or protection.
• Challenge Mode – Daily combat scenarios pitting solo players against scripted enemy formations for leaderboard ranking; retired alongside multiplayer on Steam.
• Cooperative Mods – Community-created mods enabling co-op campaigns where both players control soldiers together against AI enemies; available on PC via Steam Workshop.
• Cross-Platform – Console multiplayer remained isolated; PC multiplayer retirement reflects limited engagement compared to single-player popularity.

XCOM 2 DLC and Expansions

XCOM 2 received substantial post-launch content, with War of the Chosen representing the marquee expansion dramatically reshaping campaign mechanics. Smaller cosmetic packs and the Reinforcement Pack offered character customization without altering balance.

• War of the Chosen Expansion – $39.99; introduces the Chosen alien hunters, three resistance factions offering covert ops, soldier bonuses, and the Bond system enabling paired soldiers to develop synergistic abilities; widely considered essential to the XCOM 2 experience.
• Reinforcement Pack – $9.99; cosmetic character customization options including soldier armor skins and helmet designs without mechanical alterations.
• Cosmetic DLC Packs – $0.99 each; weapon skins, armor colors, and cosmetic items offering personalization without affecting gameplay balance or progression.
• Free Updates – Firaxis regularly deployed balance patches addressing difficulty scaling, bug fixes, and mod compatibility improvements throughout the game’s lifecycle.

XCOM 2 Community and Support

XCOM 2 maintains an active modding community despite multiplayer retirement, with extensive Steam Workshop integration enabling gameplay customization ranging from difficulty tweaks to total conversion mods. Official support remains minimal post-launch.

• Official Forums – 2K maintains community spaces for patch announcements and technical support; developer communication has diminished since 2018.
• Reddit and Discord – r/XCOM2 and dedicated Discord servers host thousands of active players sharing builds, discussing strategy, and collaborating on mod recommendations. These communities drive ongoing engagement.
• Mod Support – Steam Workshop integration provides tools for campaign modifications, UI improvements, and balance overhauls. Alternative Mod Launcher (AML) bypasses 2K’s launcher, improving stability and mod compatibility.
• Patch Updates – Post-launch support concluded around 2018; however, community-maintained mod frameworks ensure ongoing compatibility with modern systems and player preferences.