Obviously, the improved visuals demand higher system requirements. While the style of its characters and scenarios remain similar, the level of detail, animation, and environments look far superior. X-Com 2 looks far better than its predecessor. As in the first game, the difficulty gradually increases as you progress – ensuring that emerging unscathed from a late game mission with all your troops intact will be a feat reserved for the best commanders. All of which will be good news to strategy fans. Through all these changes, the best elements of the original XCOM remain, such as the cover system and choice of skills. Turn limits change the pace of combat, new scenarios inject variety, cover can be destroyed, and there is a greater variety of enemies all with improved AI. The changes made by the developer, Firaxis, are subtle but powerful. In mission, the turn-based combat still reigns supreme. Thus, your options in combat are far higher. This impacts both combat and management, because where as previously you only had to manage four unit types and their skills, there are now many more – all of whom must be upgraded, trained, and managed in mission. Soldiers and resource management is also more efficient.Īnother striking change is the variety of soldiers. A tedious aspect of XCOM: Enemy Unknown was managing radars across the world – but this is a problem the Avenger completely removes. One of the bigger changes to the base management in XCOM 2 is that, rather than acting from an underground military facility, you now operate out of a hijacked alien ship known as the Avenger.

As in the first game, there are two distinct elements of play: base management and combat missions. XCOM: Enemy Unknown offered excellent turn-based gameplay, and XCOM 2 only refines and improves on this while keeping its core essence. Leaping into XCOM 2’s first missions, which doubles as a tutorial, you’re are treated to the game’s history and the basics of combat to prepare you for the battles ahead. To free the world from the alien menace, it is necessary to once again take command of XCOM.

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