XCOM 2 Reviews
The only fly in the ointment here are some technical issues to prevent you from fully enjoying the masochism: issues with the game failing to start for some users, quirks with aiming, soldiers warping to different locations when reloading and even some crashes to desktop are the stumbling blocks that have a number of gamers asking when can we expect a patch. In the meantime, I will live with these issues so I can continue having my head kicked in.
XCOM 2 improves many aspects over the original, as well as adding some much needed atmosphere through its uphill battle narrative. In many ways, this has much more balance between classes, and weapon customisation is a notable difference, and as players really come to know their soldiers they are potentially sending to death. However, a decrease in many already sparse elements, such as no UFO interception and bare minimum base management, makes the romp through approachable to many but leaves the hardcore types unlikely to want to work beyond the finish line once, and will likely not leave a legacy like the originals did.
XCOM 2 took a formula that was already deeply compelling and made it even better. The game is even more punishing due to the expanded gameplay and the emphasis on urgency, but it gives you plenty of opportunity to succeed all the same. You'll celebrate every victory, you'll learn from each defeat, and either way, the game manages to be amazing. As good as the previous release was, XCOM 2 is an even better game in every conceivable way.
XCOM 2 is a great turn-based strategy experience that delivers plenty of tension, a wide range of ways for gamers to navigate missions and choices and enough procedurally generated maps to keep engagements interesting even after 50 hours or more of play.
XCOM 2 improves on its predecessor in every aspect and yet manages to keep its core elements untouched. Addictive game play, amazing and realistic battlefields, a must-have title for all strategy fans.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Are you a tactical\turn-based strategy fan? If yes, then XCOM 2 is for you. It is really perfect. It is very challenging but its difficulty is completely acceptable and doesn’t make you angry. Its optimization is not very good but except this, it doesn't have any significant problem. XCOM 2 is a masterpiece.
Review in Persian | Read full review
XCOM 2 is a bigger, deeper and more replayable follow-up to the successful 2012 reboot that, despite some technical issues, should provide hours of fun to fans of the series.
XCOM 2 builds on everything that made its predecessor great and makes it even better, if you can handle the difficulty. An excellent strategy game – play on Iron Man for the best experience.
XCOM has once again proven that it is a powerhouse when it comes to tactical gameplay. Every decision counts and with permadeath is makes every decision even more powerful. Luckily game saving is encouraged, and if you forget to save manually there are copious auto-saves to fall back on. I do question if a sequel was warranted over something that brings freshness into the series, as if you enjoyed Enemy Unknown there's not all that much different added to XCOM 2. But then more of a good thing is good when it's this good, right?
Needless to say, although the game has some issues with some mechanics, namely stealth, and on launch it had a lot of performance issues, with Workshop integration and the Fireaxis working hard to optimize the game, it is a solid game.
XCOM 2 is a big step forward for the series.
XCOM 2 is a perfect sequel to Enemy Unknown. The core is almost the same, but is rock solid and the new setting is an excellent base for a wide diversity in missions. Only the graphical compartment could have been improved.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
XCOM 2 is a definite win in my book
XCOM 2 does what its predecessor did and more.
The release is currently somewhat held back by a variety of technical issues, but the game underneath the glitches is undeniably worth your time.
XCOM 2 is simply exceptional. It has a solid narrative, the mechanics are at the peak of their capability and the game is incredibly addictive to play. You will always want to do one more mission and the emerging gameplay makes sure that everything is fresh and new. However, the console version really lets the experience down.
If you're going to pick up XCOM 2 having never touched Enemy Unknown, then beware. It's not the happy-go-lucky strategy experience many games will offer, in fact I'd probably say this is the video game equivalent to S&M. It is brutal. It will raise you to the peak of mental ecstasy before your attempt at humanity's redemption comes crashing down around you in only a few turns, your squad returning to HQ a crippled, shambling mess, if they do indeed return at all. XCOM 2 will make you its bitch. And the best thing about it? It'll make you want to come back for more. And you'll love it.
XCOM 2 updates the franchise's formula without sacrificing what works in the original game. You have more freedom than before, and relatively superfluous elements like the Interceptors have been cut. More importantly, the pacing and structure really does make you really do feel like a band of renegades taking on an occupying force. It's been a fun ride, and with more mods on the way, I'm looking forward to playing it again - the best possible compliment I can pay to a tactics game.