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XCOM 2 is the turn-based strategy game sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown by Firaxis Games, released on the 5th of February 2016 on Windows PC, Macintosh and Linux.[1]

XCOM 2 has been largely well received by critics with a current Metacritic rating of 88% based on 82 reviews. GameWatcher gave it a score of 9 out of 10, saying "Could we already have a Game of the Year contender? Let's see if we remember it come December, but right now every fan of XCOM: Enemy Unknown should pick up XCOM 2". GameSpot gives it a rating of 9 out of 10, calling it "exhilarating, even in the face of failure. It's compelling, even though we often lose. Victory is the goal, but that's just an afterthought here - it's the complex journey that counts."

XCOM 2 received "Best Strategy Game of 2016" awards by PC Gamer[2] and IGN[3].

Console ports of XCOM 2 were officially announced on the 7th of June 2016; Firaxis partnered with developer The Workshop to produce the ports.[4] The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions were released in North America on September 27, 2016. A Nintendo Switch version was released on May 29, 2020.[5] Additional ports of XCOM 2 were released on iOS and Android, with the first releasing November 5, 2020 and the latter July 15, 2021 respectively.

Story[]

Twenty years have passed since world leaders offered an unconditional surrender to the alien forces, and XCOM, the planet's last line of defense, was left decimated and scattered. Now the aliens rule Earth, building shining cities that promise a brilliant future for humanity on the surface while concealing a sinister agenda and eliminating all who dissent from their new order.

Only those who live on the edges of the world have a margin of freedom. Here, a force gathers once again to stand up for humanity. Always on the run, the remnant XCOM forces must find a way to rise from the ashes, expose the insidious truth behind the occupation and eliminate the alien threat once and for all.

The starting date in the XCOM 2 campaign is 28th February 2035.

Gameplay[]

XCOM ON THE RUN
Take command of the Avenger, an alien supply craft converted to XCOM's mobile headquarters. Guide your strike force around the world, build popular support and expose the aliens' sinister plans.

RESEARCH, DEVELOP AND UPGRADE
Configure and build rooms on the Avenger to give XCOM new capabilities on the battlefield. Use your scientists and engineers to research and develop and upgrade weapons and armor to fit your preferred tactics.

A NEW BREED OF ENEMY
A diverse cast of enemies from powerful new alien species to the ADVENT, enforcers of the alien regime, offer a distinct tactical challenge.

TACTICAL GUERILLA COMBAT
New gameplay systems offer more tactical flexibility in combat. The state of the world affects each combat missions environment. Use concealment to ambush enemy patrols. Loot enemies for precious gear and artifacts. Rescue VIPs and save fallen comrades by carrying them to the extraction point.

RECRUIT RESISTANCE FIGHTERS
Five soldier classes each with its own skill tree including new class abilities like Momentum, let you create specific soldiers for your tactical plan.

EACH MISSION IS A UNIQUE CHALLENGE
Go on missions around the world from wildlands to the heart of alien controlled megacities, to the depths of alien installations. There are virtually infinite combinations of maps, missions and goals.

CHOOSE YOUR DIFFICULTY
Select one of four difficulty modes at the start of the game and adjust it while you play.

CREATE CUSTOM MODS
Community focused tools allow you to create your own campaign, tactical gameplay, aliens, classes, strategy game features and share within the Steam Workshop.

Read more at IGN

ENGAGE IN HEAD TO HEAD MULTIPLAYER
Mix and match squads of humans and aliens to do battle head to head on randomly generated maps.

Research[]

Research is the primary way in which new technology, equipment and facilities are unlocked in XCOM 2. Research projects include the study and reverse-engineering of recovered alien technologies and autopsies on alien and ADVENT corpses.

Downloadable Content[]

Resistance Warrior Pack
  • Resistance Warrior Pack: Offers additional soldier customization options like bonus outfits, headgear and custom facial war paint. Also includes a "Survivor of the Old War," a new XCOM recruit who will appear in the Avenger's barracks. Players who pre-ordered the game received this for free. Released for purchase on November 22, 2016.
  • Reinforcement Pack, which includes the following DLC releases:
    • Anarchy's Children: Features over 100 new exotic soldier customization options. Released March 17, 2016.
    • Alien Hunters: New gameplay highlighting an elite alien hunting unit of XCOM as it tracks down "Ruler" aliens, plus a new mission, additional soldier customization options and more powerful weapons and armor. Released May 12, 2016.
    • Shen's Last Gift: Introduces a brand-new sixth soldier class with unique upgradeable weapons, armor and customization features, as well as an additional narrative-driven mission and map. Released June 30, 2016.
  • War of the Chosen: An expansion featuring three new resistance groups, the Templars, Skirmishers and Reapers, each with their brand new hero class. Introduces a new enemy in the campaign known as the Chosen, new enemies for both the Aliens and ADVENT, and the Lost, survivors from the previous war 20 years ago. Also includes new missions and environments, and a growth in depth of strategic gameplay. Was released on August 29, 2017 for PC, and on September 12, 2017 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
    • Tactical Legacy Pack (requires ownership of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen): Features 4 new standalone mini-campaigns, a tactical mission editor, 28 new maps, new weapons and armor, additional cosmetic options, and a new soundtrack. Released October 9, 2018.

Special Editions[]

Two special editions of XCOM 2 are available that include varying amounts of the above DLC.

Digital Deluxe[]

The XCOM 2 Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game, the digital soundtrack (which is unavailable for purchase otherwise), and the Reinforcement Pack, which itself includes Anarchy's Children, Alien Hunters, and Shen's Last Gift.[6]

XCOM 2 Collection[]

The XCOM 2 Collection includes the base game, the Resistance Warrior Pack, the Reinforcement Pack (including Anarchy's Children, Alien Hunters, and Shen's Last Gift), War of the Chosen, and War of the Chosen – Tactical Legacy Pack.[7]

Screenshots[]

Videos[]

System Requirements[]

MS Windows[]

Minimum

  • OS: Windows® 7, 64-bit
  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E4700 2.6 GHz or AMD Phenom 9950 Quad Core 2.6 GHz
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5770, 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or better
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 45 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX compatible sound card

Recommended

  • OS: Windows® 7, 64-bit
  • Processor: 3GHz Quad Core
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 2GB ATI Radeon HD 7970, 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 or better
  • Storage: 45 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX compatible sound card

Mac OS [8][]

Minimum

  • OS: Mac OS X 10.11.2
  • Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel
  • Memory: 4GB RAM
  • Graphics: 1GB NVIDIA 650ti or AMD 5770 or Intel Iris Pro or better
  • Storage: 40GB

Recommended

  • OS: Mac OS X 10.11.2
  • Processor: 2.7 GHz Intel
  • Memory: 8GB RAM
  • Graphics: 2GB NVIDIA 700 series or AMD R9 series

Linux [9][]

Minimum

  • OS: Ubuntu 14.04.2 64-bit or SteamOS
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-3225 3.3 GHz
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 1GB NVIDIA 650, 1GB AMD R9 270 or better
    • Intel graphics are unsupported at the time of writing.
  • Storage: 32GB

Recommended

  • OS: Ubuntu 14.04.2 64-bit or SteamOS
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 2.7GHz
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics : 2GB NVIDIA 960 or better
    • Intel graphics are unsupported at the time of writing.

References[]

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