XCOM 2 Reviews
We really wanted XCOM 2 to be something amazing, but unfortunately it falls short.
A truly remarkable strategy game
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.
And outstanding sequel to an outstanding game. XCOM 2 is everything an XCOM fan could want and more. If you are a fan of turn-based strategy games, this is THE must own title for 2016. A few performance issues and numerous bugs prevent it from getting the score that it truly deserves.
XCOM 2 doubles down on the trademark gameplay of the franchise while adding some new elements to help keep things fresh. A challenging jaunt, the game is at its best when testing players' limits and layering the feeling of dread and hopelessness from fighting a superior foe. The random nature of the game can feel unfairly difficult at times and an assortment of bugs and niggles keep XCOM 2 from achieving perfection. For lovers of strategy gaming, however, the game is an excellent representation of the genre.
XCOM 2 succeeds in being the most varied and refined installment in the series. With randomized missions, diverse squad customization options, and a tough as nails enemy AI, XCOM 2 is an amazing game that I will gladly revisit multiple times and I recommend you do too.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
I would love to be able to give XCOM 2 my unreserved recommendation, but I can't ignore the elephant in the room. If you don't intend on playing on Ironman mode, and have enough patience to deal with (not so) occasional glitches, it's excellent. If you were looking forward to a hardcore playthrough, or can't stand it when technical issues get in the way of a good time, you'll definitely want to wait for a patch or two before deploying.
Firaxis have made tremendous strides to provide new mechanics and gameplay options for players who are still unsure what the XCOM series can offer them whilst retaining all the features that fans of Enemy Unknown have grown to love and now expect from the series. XCOM 2 is more than just a fantastic XCOM game, it's a polished and cohesive AAA experience that shines with a level of quality not often felt in these bleak, modern days.
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 is hard proof true strategy games are still in high demand, blending satisfying old-school strategic turn-based gameplay with cinematic flourish.
It isn't an overstatement to say that the attention paid to diversifying the look and tactical possibilities of the levels is key to what makes XCOM 2 work.
Technical issues aside, XCOM 2 stands as an outstanding sequel to an already amazing strategy game.
XCOM 2 somehow manages to improve upon the 2012 series reboot in almost every single way; from the way that the concealment ramps up the pacing, to the minor changes to battles and management that both fit the theme wonderfully and make for great gameplay. Aside from a few moments where the impossible happened and a some optimisation issues XCOM 2 suffers from, this is one uprising worth taking part in.
XCOM 2 is not without flaws and shortcomings, but it has enough quality substance to overcome most of its problems.
XCOM 2 is not a simple game and it will not cuddle with you at all. But because of it you will appreciate more your own accomplishments, like if you finish a level without losing a soldier or a team. XCOM 2 is about successes and falls, a difficult path to the goal, even after many bad attempts. And it's worth it.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Firaxis delivers a fantastic sequel in many regards, but a large assortment of technical issues plague the overall experience.
There are games that could be better and there's XCOM 2 which is amazing but hampered by its optimization. It's still game of the year material but needs patching stat.
Firaxis continues its excellent work on the XCOM franchise with XCOM 2, a game that improves upon all the elements of its predecessor and delivers a phenomenal strategic experience.
XCOM 2 does everything Enemy Unknown did and improved on it with more variations as well as some very interesting game mechanics. Anyone who enjoyed the first game has no reason not to pick this one up. It has a few performance issues here and here, but it is still a challenging yet rewarding game that made me have every emotion from joyous to devastated. One of the early game of the year contenders for me, and a fine game any strategy fan should own.
XCOM 2 successfully straddles the line between being familiar and being new. A few design choices will divide people, and there are bugs and issues that will need patching or modding, but for the most part it's a sterling return to the gruelling decision-making of its predecessor.
