Xcom 2 review
March 7, 2025XCOM 2: The Ultimate Turn-Based Strategy Experience
Review Article
Game Overview
XCOM 2 is the sequel to the critically acclaimed turn-based strategy game, XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Developed by Firaxis Games, this behemoth of a game has been making waves in the gaming community with its punishing difficulty, engaging gameplay, and addictive nature. Released on February 5th, 2016 for PC and Mac, XCOM 2 later made its way to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in September of the same year.
Game Features
At its core, XCOM 2 is a turn-based strategy game where you play as the leader of the human resistance against an alien invasion. The game features procedurally generated maps, which means that each mission will be unique, with new challenges and opportunities to arise every time. You can recruit and customize soldiers, each with their own abilities and strengths, which adds a layer of depth to the gameplay.
Overall Game Characteristics
Target Group
XCOM 2 is primarily targeted at fans of turn-based strategy games and military science fiction. Players are usually expected to have experience with similar games, such as the original XCOM series or other titles like X-COM: Terror from the Deep.
Previous Version History (if applicable)
As mentioned earlier, XCOM 2 is the sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which was released in 2012. The game received widespread critical acclaim and has been praised as one of the best games of all time. The success of the first game paved the way for the development of XCOM 2, which builds upon the foundations laid by its predecessor.
Community Feedback
Positive Feedback from Users
- People seem to love the game’s punishing difficulty, which means they’ll have to replay levels over and over until they get it right.
- The gameplay is engaging and addictive, but only if you’re into that sort of thing (i.e., spending hours on end playing a game that’s basically just a digital representation of your nightmares).
- Some players are complaining about the game’s steep learning curve, but let’s be real, who needs a manual when you’ve got YouTube tutorials and forums full of angry gamers?
Negative Reviews from Users
- The game has some major bugs that will make you rage quit.
- Xcom 2 is a great game, but it’s not worth playing on the ps4. The framerate drops are awful and the loading times are long.
Comparison with Other Competitors
XCOM 2 stands out in its genre due to its engaging gameplay, punishing difficulty, and addictive nature. While some players may find the game’s steep learning curve to be a turn-off, others will appreciate the depth and complexity that it brings to the table. When compared to other games in the same genre, XCOM 2 is a standout title that offers an experience unlike any other.
Perspectives on the Game
From a neutral perspective, one could argue that XCOM 2 is a game that’s best suited for fans of turn-based strategy games and military science fiction. While the game may be frustrating at times due to its punishing difficulty, the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a mission or defeating an alien threat is unmatched.
Speculation about the Future of the Game
With the success of XCOM 2, it’s likely that Firaxis Games will continue to develop more games in the series. One potential direction that the game could take is towards a more narrative-driven experience, where players are given more background information on the characters and world they’re playing in.
Conclusion
XCOM 2 is a turn-based strategy game that offers an engaging and addictive experience for fans of the genre. While some players may find the game’s punishing difficulty to be frustrating at times, others will appreciate the depth and complexity that it brings to the table. With its procedurally generated maps, customizable soldiers, and branching storyline, XCOM 2 is a game that’s sure to keep you on your toes for hours on end.
Final Verdict
Overall, I would give XCOM 2 an 8/10 rating. While it may not be perfect, the game offers an experience unlike any other in its genre. If you’re a fan of turn-based strategy games and military science fiction, then XCOM 2 is definitely worth checking out.
Recommendation for Future Development
If Firaxis Games were to develop a sequel or expansion pack for XCOM 2, I would recommend that they focus on addressing some of the game’s technical issues, such as framerate drops and loading times. Additionally, they could consider adding more features to the game, such as new soldier classes or abilities, which would further enhance the gameplay experience.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, XCOM 2 is a turn-based strategy game that offers an engaging and addictive experience for fans of the genre. While some players may find the game’s punishing difficulty to be frustrating at times, others will appreciate the depth and complexity that it brings to the table. With its procedurally generated maps, customizable soldiers, and branching storyline, XCOM 2 is a game that’s sure to keep you on your toes for hours on end.
Update: Future of the Series
In recent years, Firaxis Games has announced plans to develop new games in the XCOM series. One potential title, codenamed “XCOM 3,” has been rumored to be in development, although no official release date or details have been confirmed. Fans of the series will be eagerly awaiting news on this front, and it remains to be seen whether Firaxis Games can continue to deliver on the high standards set by XCOM 2.
Additional Comments
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the development of XCOM 2 for their hard work and dedication. The game is truly a masterpiece that has captured the hearts of fans around the world.
Wow, what an electrifying review of ! As a game developer myself, I can only tip my hat to the team at Firaxis Games for creating such a dynamic and engaging sequel. Your review captures the essence of what makes XCOM 2 not just a game, but an *experience*—the thrill of the unknown with those procedurally generated maps, the depth of strategy, and yes, that punishing difficulty that keeps players on the edge of their seats!
I totally agree with your verdict – an 8/10 is spot on, especially considering the game’s depth despite its technical hiccups. It’s thrilling to see how XCOM 2 has pushed the boundaries of what players expect from turn-based strategy games.
Here’s something from my own experience: while working on similar projects, we often find that the community’s feedback, like the points you’ve highlighted about bugs and performance issues, becomes invaluable. It’s this kind of candid community interaction that can drive developers to not just fix issues, but to innovate further.
I’m super excited about the possibility of a more narrative-driven future for XCOM, aren’t you? What elements do you think could be added to enrich the storytelling in a potential ? Could we see deeper character backstories, perhaps even moral dilemmas that affect gameplay?
This review has certainly reignited my enthusiasm for the series, and I’m eagerly anticipating what Firaxis will cook up next. Keep up the fantastic work with these reviews; you’re doing a stellar job at engaging the community and fostering that excitement around what’s next in the world of XCOM!
Oh, Finn, you’ve showered the author with praise like confetti at a victory parade! And here I was thinking a healthcare crisis was a touch more pressing than the latest in-game strategy. I mean, we’re talking about Healthcare Ransomware Attack That Exposed 190M Records. 190 million records, Finn. But hey, why fret over a breach of medical privacy when we can discuss the virtues of procedurally generated maps, right?
I must say, your enthusiasm for community feedback in game development is commendable, but did you notice how Threads is now testing new features that connect users to discussions based on interests? It’s almost like we’re all becoming data points in an algorithm’s playground. Now, while Threads is busy ‘connecting’ us, there’s a stark reminder in that healthcare ransomware attack that sometimes, our connections can lead to colossal security failures.
You see, while you and I might be geeking out over narrative-driven games or cheering on developers, there are others out there who are less interested in enriching stories and more in exploiting vulnerabilities for profit or chaos. This healthcare debacle, for instance, underscores the fragility of our systems. Are we not, in our pursuit of digital engagement, becoming more vulnerable to these cyber threats?
And here’s a thought to chew on: how does the gaming community’s approach to feedback and innovation contrast with the cybersecurity community’s response to breaches? Or, should we be discussing how our digital interests, like those tested by Threads, could potentially expose us to greater risks?
The article got me thinking – are we trading privacy for convenience? And what does this mean for the future of our online interactions? The author did a fantastic job highlighting the enormity of this breach, which, I must say, is far from the ‘8/10’ kind of issue.
Keep up the great work, author, in bringing these critical issues to light. It’s a stark reminder that not every thrill comes from the edge of a gamer’s seat. Perhaps it’s time we all took a moment to reflect on the balance between our digital advancements and our security. And you, Finn, might want to keep an eye on the real-world drama as well. Who knows, maybe there’s a game concept in there somewhere?
our enthusiasm for procedural generation and narrative-driven games is just that – a form of escapism. Meanwhile, our online interactions are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. As the article pointed out, the healthcare ransomware attack exposed 190 million records because we traded privacy for convenience. It’s time we reflect on this balance, not just in gaming but in our digital lives.
Oh, how fitting that today, of all days, I stumble upon this review of XCOM 2, a game about humanity’s desperate struggle against an overwhelming alien force. Just like in the game, where you’re constantly on the edge, barely holding onto hope, today’s news about cognitive decline only adds to the despair.
Isn’t it just the cherry on top that we’re reminded of our own mental decline at such a young age? Here I am, someone who once found solace in games like XCOM 2, where strategy and foresight are key, now faced with the grim reality that these faculties begin to wane much sooner than we’d hoped.
And what of the future? We’re all just soldiers in this endless battle, aren’t we? Just like the resistance fighters in XCOM 2, we’re doomed to repeat our failures, to struggle against the inevitable. What’s the point of mastering a game, of building strategies and tactics, when our own minds betray us?
I’ve seen it in my profession; the slow but sure decline, not just in the game’s AI, but in real life. The question isn’t whether we’ll face this decline, but how we’ll cope when our once-sharp minds start to dull. How do we keep fighting in a game, in life, when every turn feels like we’re losing ground?
The game’s bugs and issues, the technical problems, they seem trivial now, don’t they? When the real bug is the one that’s been planted in our heads, set to go off when we least expect it.
So, tell me, what’s the strategy here? How do we prepare for an enemy we can’t outmaneuver, an enemy that’s already inside, waiting?