XCOM: Chimera Squad Reviews
You’ll probably extract some enjoyment out of Chimera Squad, although you’re likely to find just as many problems to complain about along the way as I have.
A lore-breaking spinoff that removes most of what makes the new XCOM special and replaces it with short bouts of repetitive tactical combat and bad writing.
Unfortunately, the experience is severely hampered by constant technical issues that leave me with the belief that it was rushed out to release
Riddled with many different types of bugs, XCOM: Chimera Squad is a hard sell. If you enjoy the setting and want another strategy title to play, this might be it, but you'll probably want to wait.
XCOM: Chimera Squad is a strange, stripped back version of XCOM that does away with the suspenseful and thrilling moments of missions to focus on action, for better or worse.
As a spinoff, XCOM: Chimera Squad ventured into uncharted waters for the series. Some of what it does works and some of it doesn’t. Its revamped combat was a fresh twist on the formula fans were used to but its style of storytelling and presentation leave a lot to be desired. The game’s cast of agents were interesting, but the game holds back on giving them the spotlight outside of combat.
The gameplay could have been better and the writing of the characters less simplistic, but at its core, XCOM: Chimera Squad achieves what its goal and offers a more satisfying experience to those who are intimidated by the scale and difficulty of a "normal" XCOM.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Is XCOM: Chimera Squad as good or as deep as XCOM 2? Not by a long shot. But I do appreciate Firaxis willing to try new things in the lead up to whatever comes next.
For such a meagre price XCOM: Chimera Squad packs somewhere in the realm of 20-hours of content into its slim frame. It almost feels unfair to compare it so frequently to XCOM 2 since it’s a small-scale spin-off. But Chimera Squad manages to find its own identity while still retaining the general feel of XCOM, even if the pre-defined characters and lack of perma-death might put veterans of the franchise off entirely. And that’s fair because making up your own squad and forming tales of their heroics and their demises has been core to XCOM since it returned from the dead in 2013. But if you can look past that there’s a lot to like in XCOM: Chimera Squad, and if you’re a lover of turn-based tactics games then this is well worth playing, though it has some incredibly tough competition in Gears Tactics at the moment.
XCOM: Chimera Squad is an interesting spin-off, but it suffers from plenty of technical issues and excessive gameplay simplification.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
XCOM: Chimera Squad is a brave adventure into new territory. Featuring a more interesting narrative design, some much-needed changes to combat, and a cast of interesting characters, all of these things would lead to a brilliant game if it weren't for the myriad of bugs, crashes, and usual XCOM tiring randomness. It's an absolute must-buy for fans of the genre, especially at its current price, but a bit more time in development wouldn't have hurt.
XCOM: Chimera Squad is a good surprise with some interesting good news mechanics.However, it gives the impression of a quick release for stand up Gears Tactics.
Review in French | Read full review
XCOM: Chimera Squad does enough to keep fans of franchise entertained while they wait for XCOM 3, but niggling bugs and unforgiving time management elements will put off newbies to the genre.
XCOM: Chimera Squad is worth taking a look at given its low price, but veterans may not be happy with some of the many, many changes Firaxis is playing with.
Chimera Squad is a kind of XCOM-in-a-box: lighter, simpler, cheaper, and less interesting. Good if you are looking for some quick tactical fun, especially at this price point, but inferior to War of the Chosen in almost every way.
Review in Italian | Read full review
XCOM: Chimera Squad retains much of what makes XCOM such a special tactics series, in the process adding in some genuine improvements to its already excellent formula. But these improvements are undermined by some strange art choices, as well as a general reluctance to maximize some of its bolder changes. All in all, an interesting experiment, but one that still has a ways to go before reaching its full potential.
XCOM: Chimera Squad plays with some interesting new ideas, but doesn't bring them together into a particularly graceful whole.
A fine superhero SWAT team tactics game smothered by a little too much admin.
While the game may be buggy, it’s still a fantastic new take on the long running franchise for veterans and new players alike.
New ideas and changes mark XCOM: Chimera Squad as a departure from the main XCOM series, for good and for worse.