XCOM 2 is a turn-based tacticsvideo game developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K.[1] Released on February 5, 2016, for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux, it is the sequel to the 2012 game XCOM: Enemy Unknown and continues the series' tradition of strategic squad-based combat against alien threats.[1][2] Set twenty years after aliens have conquered Earth and established the puppet regime ADVENT, the game casts players as the commander of XCOM, a clandestine resistance organization operating from the mobile headquarters Avenger to reclaim the planet through guerrilla warfare.[2]Gameplay in XCOM 2 integrates global strategy elements, such as base building, research, and resource management aboard the Avenger, with tactical turn-based missions on procedurally generated maps.[2] Players customize and equip soldiers across classes like Ranger, Sharpshooter, and Grenadier, managing risks like permadeath and a persistent "Avatar Project" timer that advances alien victory if not disrupted.[2] Console ports for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One followed in September 2016, with additional expansions like XCOM 2: War of the Chosen introducing new factions, enemies, and mechanics to deepen the campaign.[3]Upon release, XCOM 2 earned widespread critical acclaim for its challenging gameplay, replayability, and atmospheric storytelling, achieving a Metacritic score of 88 out of 100 based on 104 reviews.[4] It was named the 2016 Strategy Game of the Year and received praise from outlets like PC Gamer (94/100) and IGN (9.3/10) for refining the series' tension-filled combat and procedural elements.[1] The game also supports online multiplayer modes for competitive alien vs. human battles, though PC multiplayer services ended in 2022.[2]
Gameplay
Combat system
The combat system in XCOM 2 centers on turn-based tactical battles where players command a squad of up to six soldiers against alien forces and their human collaborators, ADVENT. Each soldier has two action points per turn, which can be spent on movement, shooting, reloading, using abilities, or other actions; for example, dashing consumes both points for extended mobility while standard movement and firing use one each.[5]Overwatch allows a soldier to end their turn in a defensive stance, enabling a reaction shot at reduced accuracy against any enemy that moves into range during the enemy phase, promoting careful positioning to intercept advances.[6] Flanking mechanics reward outmaneuvering foes by attacking from a direction without cover facing the target, ignoring enemy cover defense (20% for low cover, 40% for high cover) and granting a +40% critical hit chance bonus, which encourages squad coordination to isolate and overwhelm targets.[7]Soldiers belong to one of five classes—Ranger, Sharpshooter, Grenadier, Specialist, or Psi Operative—each with distinct roles, weapons, and ability trees unlocked progressively through experience gained in missions. The Ranger excels in close-quarters combat with shotguns and swords, featuring abilities like Run and Gun to dash and shoot or Phantom for stealthy repositioning.[8]Sharpshooters provide long-range precision via rifles and sniper variants, with skills such as Long Watch for overwatch at extended distances or Kill Zone to fire multiple reaction shots.[8]Grenadiers specialize in area denial using launchers for grenades and rockets, including Shredder Gun for armor-piercing and Heavy Ordnance for chain explosives.[8]Specialists support the team with a robotic Gremlin drone for hacking objectives or stunning enemies, abilities like Medical Protocol to heal allies or Guardian for automated overwatch fire.[8] The Psi Operative harnesses psionic powers for crowd control and damage, such as Psi Zombie to mind-control foes or Rift to channel area blasts, but requires a special facility to train.[8] Customization occurs via perk selection from class-specific skill trees at rank-ups, allowing branching paths for offense, defense, or utility, alongside gear attachments like scopes for accuracy or armor mods for health and resistance.[9] Soldiers recruited and upgraded through base management integrate directly into these squads, enhancing tactical options with improved stats and equipment.[10]Missions unfold on procedurally generated maps assembled from modular "parcels" and handcrafted templates, ensuring varied urban, industrial, or rural environments while maintaining tactical viability like sightlines and cover placement.[11] Most operations begin in a concealment phase, where the squad remains hidden from enemy "pods"—groups of foes patrolling in formation—allowing players to scout, position for ambushes, or set overwatch without alerting patrols.[5] Concealment breaks upon firing, entering enemy sight, or completing certain objectives, activating pods that aggressively advance and flank.[5]Mission types include extraction raids to rescue assets under timed pressure, sabotage operations to destroy ADVENT facilities, and guerrilla ops with objectives like securing supplies or hacking relays, often featuring timers that escalate enemy reinforcements if unmet.[12]Permadeath adds tension, as wounded soldiers may recover but fatal hits remove them permanently from the roster, forcing reliance on recruits and emphasizing cover, abilities, and squad synergy to minimize losses.[13]Enemies comprise ADVENT forces and alien species, each with pod-based AI that activates on detection and prioritizes flanking, objective defense, or high-threat targets like the commander.[14] ADVENT soldiers include basic Troopers for suppression fire, Officers who issue commands to boost ally aim or mind frenzies for panic effects, and Shieldbearers who deploy protective barriers while charging with shock batons.[15] Alien types feature Sectoids, diminutive psionics that can induce panic, mind-control, or disorient soldiers and reanimate fallen soldiers as zombies for reinforcements, often hiding behind cover to channel attacks.[14] Chryssalids are swift melee rushers that leap to flank isolated units, injecting poison to spawn more of their kind from fallen hosts, with AI focused on closing distances aggressively.[14] Other foes like Mutons provide heavy suppression and grenades, while mechanical units such as Sectopods deploy devastating lasers and hunter-killer drones upon activation.[14]A multiplayer mode supported 1v1 player-versus-player matches or skirmishes against AI, using custom squads on procedural maps with shared rules from the campaign, but services were discontinued for the Windows PC version on March 28, 2022, due to maintenance challenges, though consoles and non-Windows platforms remained unaffected.[16]
Base management
In XCOM 2, base management revolves around the Avenger, a repurposed alien supply ship serving as XCOM's mobile headquarters that travels across a divided Earth to coordinate resistance efforts. Players expand the Avenger by assigning engineers to excavate debris-filled rooms, uncovering space for new facilities while yielding resources such as supplies and alloys. Key facilities include the Guerrilla Tactics School (GTS), which enables training of rookie soldiers into specialized classes like Ranger or Grenadier and unlocks tactical abilities; the Proving Ground, focused on prototyping advanced weapons and ammunition; the Advanced Warfare Center for faster soldier recovery and additional ability slots upon promotion; and the Resistance Comms array for global coordination. Excavation options vary, with faster clearance of alien debris providing modest rewards or slower excavation of alien machinery offering greater yields, requiring careful allocation of limited engineers to balance expansion speed and resource gains.[17][18]Power management is essential, as facilities consume energy generated by the Avenger's exposed power coils, which can be shielded and augmented with Power Relays staffed by engineers to increase output. Facilities drawing high power can alternatively harness residual current from unshielded coils at no cost, though this risks overload during certain events; strategic placement near coils optimizes efficiency without excessive upgrades. Staff assignment further enhances operations: scientists accelerate research in the Laboratory, engineers speed up construction and item fabrication in the Workshop, and personnel in the Infirmary or Bar boost soldier morale and bonding opportunities. Upgrading facilities, such as adding staff quarters to the GTS for simultaneous training of multiple recruits, provides permanent bonuses but demands Intel and time, emphasizing prioritization based on campaign needs like early combat readiness or long-term tech advancement.[17][18]The research tree, accessed via the Laboratory facility, branches into categories unlocking weapon modifications, armor enhancements, and new facilities, with projects selected from a tech web informed by mission artifacts and autopsies. Scientists assigned to the lab reduce completion times, allowing quicker access to tiers like magnetic weapons or exosuit upgrades that integrate with soldier classes for tactical edges. Complementing this, the Engineering queue in the Workshop produces items such as grenades, medkits, or experimental gear, queued in batches with engineer staffing to expedite output; resource costs like elerium cores limit production, forcing trade-offs between immediate mission prep and stockpiling for liberation efforts.[17][18]The Avatar Project functions as a persistent doomsday timer, representing ADVENT's progress toward an unstoppable psionic weapon; it advances through facility progress bars filled by mission failures, Dark Events, or unaddressed alien activities, culminating in game over if fully completed. To counter it, players undertake guerrilla operations—side missions like supply raids or extractions—and scan regions for Intel to reveal and assault alienfacilities, halting progress in specific areas. Regionliberation requires building influence via successful scans and ops, culminating in black site assaults that permanently remove the region from ADVENT control, boosting monthly income and resistance strength while slowing the overall project.[17][18]Expanding the resistance network involves contacting new regions through Resistance Comms, which scans for radio signals to establish relays and unlock monthly supplies, Intel, and mission opportunities; each contact costs time and risks alerting ADVENT, so players limit early expansions to maintain focus. Relays, once placed via Council missions, strengthen the network by providing passive income and reducing Avatar progress in liberated zones. Soldier management ties into this layer: promotions occur post-mission based on kills and objectives, granting class-specific perks viewable in the Armory; bonding between squadmates during downtime or shared missions unlocks shared abilities, enhancing team synergy; injuries from combat send soldiers to the Infirmary for healing, with the Advanced Warfare Center accelerating recovery to minimize downtime.[17][18]Random events and contacts add narrative depth and variability to management, such as distress signals from resistance cells prompting optional missions for rewards or moral dilemmas, or Avenger malfunctions requiring engineer intervention to avert penalties. These elements, drawn from a pool of procedural incidents, influence resource flow and soldier morale—e.g., a successful contact might yield a veteran recruit—while tying into the broader guerrilla warfare theme without altering core mechanics.[17][18]
Setting and plot
Setting
XCOM 2 is set in the year 2035, twenty years after the events of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, in a world where humanity has lost the initial alien invasion and now lives under extraterrestrial occupation.[1] The aliens have established ADVENT as a puppetregime, a supposed coalition of world governments that enforces alien rule while promoting a facade of prosperity and unity through pervasive propaganda.[1] This dystopian society features gleaming cityscapes built by the occupiers, where citizens are subjected to surveillance, resource extraction, and experimental bio-engineering programs disguised as medical advancements.[1]At the heart of the alien hierarchy are the Elders, ethereal beings who seek to create a hybrid human-alien civilization by harvesting genetic material from Earth's population for their own evolutionary purposes.[1] Opposing this regime is a fragmented global resistance network, comprising remnants of the original XCOM organization and various civilian contacts who provide intelligence and supplies from hidden outposts.[19] The narrative explores themes of oppressive control, deceptive propaganda that portrays the aliens as benevolent saviors, and the ethical horrors of bio-engineering, as the Elders manipulate humanity toward their vision of a unified, subservient species.[1]Missions unfold across diverse procedural environments, including urban city centers patrolled by ADVENT forces, rural wilderness areas used for resistance ambushes, and fortified alien facilities where advanced technologies and experiments are housed.[1] The resistance operates from the Avenger, a captured and repurposed alien UFO serving as a mobile headquarters that allows XCOM to evade detection while coordinating strikes worldwide.[1]Key factions include the beleaguered XCOM remnants, who recruit and train soldiers from survivors to wage guerrilla warfare; scattered civilian allies offering covert support; and the alien overlords led by the enigmatic Elders, who direct ADVENT's hybrid troops and biomechanical constructs to maintain order and advance their bio-assimilation agenda.[19]
Plot
Twenty years after the alien invasion depicted in XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Earth has fallen under the control of the extraterrestrial forces and their puppet regime, ADVENT, which governs from fortified cities while humanity ekes out an existence in the surrounding slums.[1] The story opens with the player character, the Commander of XCOM, awakening from alien-imposed stasis aboard the captured alien ship known as the Avenger, which serves as the mobile headquarters for a fledgling resistance movement.[20] Rescued by loyal remnants of the organization, the Commander assumes leadership to coordinate guerrilla operations aimed at undermining ADVENT's authority and uncovering the true scope of the alien occupation.[21]Guided by a trio of key advisors—Central Officer John Bradford, who handles tactical oversight; Chief Engineer Lily Shen, responsible for base modifications; and Dr. Richard Tygan, who leads scientific research into alien artifacts—the resistance recruits soldiers from global outposts and launches missions to sabotage ADVENT supply lines, liberate regions, and delay the ominous Avatar Project, an alien initiative represented by a progressing crimson meter that threatens irreversible catastrophe if completed.[22][21] As operations unfold, revelations emerge about the aliens' psionic capabilities, including mind control tactics employed against humans, and the underlying motivations of the Elders, the ethereal overlords orchestrating the invasion from afar.[22] These arcs build tension through escalating confrontations with alien leaders and hybrid forces, while soldier memorials provide glimpses into the personal backstories of fallen recruits, humanizing the ongoing struggle.[20]The narrative culminates in a high-stakes assault on the aliens' primary stronghold, where the Commander establishes psionic links to directly challenge the Elders, with outcomes influenced by prior strategic choices such as resource allocation and regional liberations.[22] This endgame sequence underscores themes of redemption and defiance, as the resistance seeks to shatter the alien conspiracy and restore human sovereignty, though success hinges on the Commander's ability to rally disparate forces against overwhelming odds.[1]
Development
Design
The design of XCOM 2 was shaped by feedback from XCOM: Enemy Unknown, with developers at Firaxis emphasizing stealth mechanics through a new concealment system that allows players to position squads for ambushes before combat begins, thereby granting more tactical control early in missions. To address complaints about repetitive maps in the predecessor, the team introduced procedural generation using a "plot and parcel" system, where predefined environmental chunks are assembled dynamically to create varied layouts while maintaining strategic fairness and avoiding pure randomness. This approach also integrated narrative elements more deeply, framing missions within a resistance storyline set 20 years after humanity's defeat, where procedural elements like enemy patrols and objectives reinforce themes of ongoing struggle and unpredictability.Artistic inspirations drew from dystopian sci-fi films to establish a world of alienoccupation. These influences informed the concealment system's role in dynamic missions, where players infiltrate procedurally generated environments across biomes like temperate forests or arid wastelands, blending ambush tactics with evolving objectives such as destroying propaganda structures to heighten the sense of guerrilla warfare. The procedural design ensures missions feel handcrafted yet replayable, with interchangeable map parcels promoting variety without compromising balance.Character customization was expanded for greater depth, allowing players to personalize soldiers' appearances with options for faces, hair, tattoos, scars (earned as "medals" from survival), clothing, and props like facial hair or accessories, alongside custom names, origins, attitudes, and voices to foster attachment and emergent storytelling. Random traits, such as a 1% chance for unique features like a beard, add replayability while enabling the creation of personalized squads. Class balance was prioritized through simplified perk trees, where each of the four core classes (Ranger, Sharpshooter, Grenadier, Specialist) offers two branching paths with abilities designed for clear tactical synergies, such as the Ranger's stealth-focused Hunter tree or assault-oriented Phantom tree, ensuring meaningful choices without overwhelming complexity. Perks unlock progressively via combat experience, emphasizing survival and specialization over rapid power spikes.User interface and pacing decisions aimed to streamline tactical decision-making, drawing from board game influences for intuitive layouts that highlight cover (partial for 20% hit reduction, full for 40%) and action economy (two actions per turn). Ironman mode enforces permadeath and no savescumming for heightened tension, paired with four difficulty levels scaled for accessibility—Rookie for newcomers and Legend for veterans—while turn timers encourage aggressive movement to prevent static play. Mod support was integrated from launch via Steam Workshop and the Unreal Editor, providing 50 GB of assets to allow community adjustments like timer tweaks, directly responding to player feedback on pacing.Procedural map design presented significant challenges, as developers balanced aesthetic cohesion with mechanical fairness; maps must blend parcels seamlessly across biomes while ensuring viable cover, flanking opportunities, and objective accessibility to avoid frustration from "unfair" generations. Lead designer Jake Solomon noted the need to accept variability for highs and lows in player experiences, iterating extensively to make environments feel convincingly alien-occupied yet strategically sound. This system ultimately enhances long-term engagement, aligning with the mantra of "play forever" by reducing repetition and promoting diverse strategies.
Production
Firaxis Games led the development of XCOM 2, with creative director Jake Solomon overseeing the project in close collaboration with publisher 2K Games. The team built upon the success of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, reusing its core framework while expanding tactical depth and narrative elements.Development took place over approximately three years, beginning shortly after the 2012 release of Enemy Unknown and culminating in an announcement at E3 2015, followed by a launch on February 5, 2016. Originally slated for November 2015, the release was delayed to allow additional refinement of gameplay mechanics and polish. Voice recording involved notable performers, including Brian Bloom as the voice of Central and Gary Anthony Williams as Dr. Richard Tygan, contributing to the game's immersive audio design.The game ran on a modified version of Unreal Engine 3, inherited from Enemy Unknown, with updates to version 3.5 for improved rendering and PC optimization, including deferred shading and anti-aliasing adjustments to enhance frame rates on high-end hardware. However, the launch suffered from technical issues, such as AIpathfinding errors that caused units to stall or behave unpredictably, alongside broader performance bottlenecks like stuttering and low GPU utilization. These stemmed partly from the engine's console-oriented origins, requiring post hoc tweaks for diverse PC configurations.Pre-release efforts included internal testing and limited community integration, such as the XCOMBarracks tool for sharing custom soldier pools, which gathered early feedback on character customization ahead of launch. No public beta was conducted, but press previews highlighted balance concerns that informed late-stage adjustments, like difficulty rebalancing. Following release, Firaxis issued multiple patches to resolve these hurdles, including a major March 2016 update that optimized shadow rendering, added zip mode for faster gameplay, and improved stability on both PC and later console ports. Subsequent fixes targeted console-specific frame drops and persistent AI glitches, ensuring long-term playability across platforms.
Release
Initial release
XCOM 2 was initially released for Microsoft Windows on February 5, 2016, exclusively through the Steam digital distribution platform.[23] The game was developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games.[1]At launch, players could purchase the standard edition or the Digital Deluxe Edition, the latter of which included the base game along with the Reinforcement Pack featuring additional cosmetic items such as themed soldier customization options and a digital soundtrack.[24] A day-one patch was deployed to address initial technical issues, including bug fixes for stability and performance.[25]The game's marketing campaign built anticipation through its reveal at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in 2015, where trailers highlighted the narrative shift to a human resistance fighting alien occupiers in a dystopian world.[26] These promotional materials emphasized tactical guerrilla warfare and the theme of rebellion against ADVENT forces.[27]Upon release, XCOM 2 encountered several bugs on PC, such as crashes during tactical missions, performance stuttering, and issues with scanning on the Geoscape, prompting Firaxis to issue quick hotfixes in the weeks following launch.[28] These technical problems contributed to some players utilizing Steam's refund policy, introduced in 2015, which allowed returns for games unplayable due to bugs within 14 days and under two hours of playtime.[29] Despite these hurdles, the game achieved strong initial sales, surpassing 500,000 digital copies on Steam within its first week.[30]
Ports and collections
XCOM 2 was ported to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles on September 27, 2016, in North America, following a delay from an initial September 6 target date.[31] These versions included optimizations for controller input and maintained the core tactical gameplay from the PC original.[32]A Nintendo Switch port, released as the XCOM 2 Collection on May 29, 2020, introduced touch controls for handheld play alongside traditional button inputs.[33] The Switch version targeted a 30 frames per second performance, with adjustments to resolution and effects to accommodate the hardware, though it occasionally experienced hitches during intense scenes.[34]Mobile adaptations followed, with the XCOM 2 Collection launching on iOS devices on November 5, 2020, and on Android on July 13, 2021.[35][36] Both ports supported controller connectivity for enhanced precision, in addition to touch-based controls optimized for smaller screens.[37]The XCOM 2 Collection, bundling the base game with all expansions and DLC packs such as Resistance Warrior Pack, Anarchy's Children, Alien Hunters, Shen's Last Gift, and War of the Chosen, debuted on PC on January 26, 2018, and later on consoles including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.[38] As of November 2025, no remastered editions of XCOM 2 have been released or announced by developer Firaxis Games or publisher 2K.Multiplayer services for the PC version of XCOM 2 were discontinued on March 28, 2022, with the removal of online matchmaking and challenge modes to reallocate resources toward new projects.[16] This shutdown affected PC, macOS, and Linux versions, though local and single-player modes remained fully operational; console versions were unaffected.[39]
Expansions and downloadable content
War of the Chosen
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is a major expansion pack for XCOM 2 that significantly expands the game's tactical and strategic layers, introducing new factions, enemies, and narrative elements to the ongoing resistance against ADVENT. Released on August 29, 2017, for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux, with console versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One following on September 12, 2017, the expansion was developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K as a standalone product priced at $49.99, allowing players to purchase it independently of the base game.[40][41][42]The expansion overhauls the strategic layer by integrating three distinct resistance factions—the Reapers, Skirmishers, and Templars—each offering unique soldier classes with specialized abilities that players can recruit and deploy. The Reapers emphasize stealth and long-range sniping, the Skirmishers provide versatile hybrid ranged and melee combatants who were formerly ADVENT defectors, and the Templars focus on close-quarters melee prowess enhanced by psionic powers. These factions influence the strategic map through a revamped resistance network, where players contact new regions by scanning for intel, unlocking covert operations to build faction affinity and access region-specific bonuses like Resistance Orders—passive perks that provide ongoing strategic advantages, such as improved scanning or facility intel. This system divides the world into zones often controlled by the expansion's new elite adversaries, the Chosen, requiring targeted missions to liberate black sites and weaken their influence.[43][44][45]Narratively, War of the Chosen weaves deeper story elements into the base game's plot by introducing persistent threats like the Chosen—a trio of unique alien champions (Assassin, Hunter, and Warlock) who evolve across the campaign, capturing soldiers and forcing rescue operations that tie into themes of lost comrades. It also integrates and expands upon the Alien Rulers from the prior Alien Hunters DLC, reimagining them as elite guardians in specific alien facilities, where defeating them yields powerful hunter weapons and prevents random high-threat encounters. Faction leaders receive personal arcs revealed through dedicated story missions: Jane Kelly leads the Reapers with a focus on guerrilla tactics born from betrayal; Lt. Primalis commands the Skirmishers, driven by a quest for redemption from ADVENT servitude; and the enigmatic Templar leader, voiced by John de Lancie, guides zealots in a crusade against alien corruption, culminating in alliances that bolster the Avenger's defenses. These elements heighten the stakes of the resistance's fight, connecting personal vendettas to the broader war against the Elders.[40][46][47]Additional gameplay features include recruitable hero characters from the factions, such as the stealthy Reaper operative or the melee-dominant Templar, who join as high-level, non-leveling allies with unique perks and can bond with squad members for synergistic abilities. A new fatigue system simulates soldier exhaustion, where repeated deployments reduce Will points, leading to Tired or Shaken statuses that impose aim penalties and require rest periods, encouraging squad rotation and strategic downtime. Bonding mechanics are enhanced, allowing deeper relationships between soldiers and heroes that unlock shared abilities, like coordinated attacks. The expansion also improves mod compatibility through an updated launcher that better supports community content, enabling seamless integration of custom assets without disrupting core gameplay.[48][49][50]Critically, War of the Chosen was lauded for its added depth and replayability, with reviewers highlighting the expanded tactical variety from faction abilities and the strategic tension introduced by the Chosen and fatigue system. IGN praised it as a "wide and deep expansion" that revitalizes mission objectives and threats, scoring it 8.8/10. Polygon noted its narrative richness and faction dynamics but critiqued console performance issues. Commercially, it drove a surge in player engagement, peaking at over 40,000 concurrent Steam users on launch day, reflecting strong initial uptake among the strategy genre audience.[40][41][51]
Other DLC
The Anarchy's Children downloadable content pack, released on March 17, 2016, provides over 100 customization options for XCOM soldiers, including new armor kits, face paints, hairstyles, and headgear themed around rebellion aesthetics.[52]The Alien Hunters pack, launched on May 12, 2016, adds a narrative-driven story mission led by Central Officer Bradford in a remote ADVENT research facility, along with unique weapons such as the Hunter's Axe and flamethrower, cosmetic upgrades for soldiers and the Avenger ship, and introduces the Alien Ruler enemies as persistent, evolving threats.[53][54]Shen's Last Gift, released on June 30, 2016, centers on a storyline mission in an ADVENT "Lost Towers" facility, where Chief Engineer Lily Shen seeks her late father Dr. Raymond Shen's final project.[55] Players can construct and customize SPARK units—robotic soldiers equipped with abilities like integrated flamethrowers and hunter-killer missiles—which join the roster as a new class, tying into the engineer's backstory without requiring additional facilities.[55]The Resistance Warrior Pack, available as a pre-order bonus starting February 5, 2016, offers cosmetic items including bonus outfits, headgear, custom Kevlar armor variants, and facial war paint for squad customization.[56] It also unlocks a pre-generated Colonel-level soldier, a "survivor of the old war," with a unique loadout evoking prior XCOM conflicts.[56]The XCOM 2: War of the Chosen – Tactical Legacy Pack, released on October 9, 2018, as a free update for PC owners of War of the Chosen, adds four Tactical Legacy Operations—mini-campaigns consisting of seven missions each, narrated by Central Officer Bradford to recount XCOM's history. It includes new maps, weapons, armors, Photobooth poses, soldier taunts, and music tracks inspired by previous XCOM titles, with cosmetic unlocks earned upon completing the operations. Console versions received it later as part of updates.[57][58]All these DLC packs are optional and fully compatible with the War of the Chosen expansion, where an "Integrated DLC" option weaves their elements—like weapons, classes, and customizations—into the main campaign for balanced progression, while standalone missions can be enabled separately.[59] No significant balance updates were issued for these packs after their release.[60]
Reception
Critical reception
XCOM 2 received widespread acclaim from critics for its strategic depth, high replayability, and intense atmosphere, though it faced some criticism for its challenging difficulty and launch issues. The PC version earned a Metacritic score of 88/100 based on 104 reviews, praised for refining the turn-based tactics formula with procedural generation and concealment mechanics that heighten tension during missions.[61]IGN rated it 9.3/10, highlighting how more powerful soldiers and unpredictable battlefields addressed shortcomings from the predecessor while maintaining tactical rigor.[62]GameSpot awarded 9/10, noting the seamless integration of tactical combat, base management, and narrative elements that create emergent storytelling through player choices.[21]Critics frequently lauded the game's innovative features, such as the stealth-based opening missions and randomized objectives, which foster replayability and a sense of precarious resistance against overwhelming alien forces. PC Gamer gave it 94/100, describing it as an "exceptionally tough, rewarding strategy and a masterful reworking of the XCOM formula" that delivers gripping cycles of progress and setback.[22] Eurogamer awarded a perfect 5/5, emphasizing the punishing precision that makes every decision thrilling in one of the most demanding strategy titles available.[20] However, common criticisms included a steep difficulty curve that could frustrate newcomers, repetitive mission structures in the late game, and technical problems at launch, such as frequent crashes, animation glitches, and performance dips on certain hardware.[62][63] Console ports, while solid, were noted for occasional input lag, and mobile versions drew complaints about imprecise touch controls that hindered tactical maneuvering on smaller screens.[64][65]The 2017 expansion, XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, further elevated the game's reception by addressing many base-game shortcomings through added variety in missions, new faction heroes, and strategic layers like the resistance calendar. It achieved a Metacritic score of 88/100 based on 39 reviews, with critics appreciating how it injected fresh vitality into the campaign without overcomplicating the core loop.[66]Eurogamer scored it 4/5, calling it a "generous expansion that's bustling with brilliant new systems" essential for prior players.[67]Subsequent patches significantly improved stability and performance, reducing load times and fixing bugs, which helped sustain positive sentiment over time.[68] In 2020s retrospectives, reviewers have affirmed its enduring appeal, citing the timeless tension of permadeath decisions and modular gameplay as reasons it remains a benchmark for the genre despite its age.[69]
Commercial performance
XCOM 2 achieved strong initial commercial success, selling over 500,000 digital copies on Steam within its first week of release.[30] This performance outpaced the launch sales of its predecessor, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, which saw a simultaneous discount promotion on the platform.[70]Steam sales estimates place the game at approximately 5.3 million units as of 2024.[71] Console ports for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, released later in 2016, contributed to growth, with retail estimates showing around 57,000 units sold in the first week on those platforms combined.[72]The 2017 expansion, War of the Chosen, provided a significant sales boost through renewed interest and bundled offerings.[73] Mobile ports via the XCOM 2 Collection for iOS and Android in 2019 further expanded accessibility.Over the long term, XCOM 2 has maintained steady revenue through inclusion in 2K franchise bundles and regular discounts during Steam events.[74] Although no remaster has been released, ongoing community modding support has sustained player engagement, with concurrent player peaks during sales events as late as 2025, and indirect sales momentum.[23]
Awards and nominations
XCOM 2 received several nominations and awards from major gaming outlets and ceremonies following its 2016 release, recognizing its innovative turn-based tactics and strategic depth. The game was nominated for Game of the Year and PC Game of the Year at the 34th Annual Golden Joystick Awards, where public voting highlighted its popularity among players.[75] It also earned a nomination for Best Strategy Game at The Game Awards 2016, competing against titles like Civilization VI and Total War: Warhammer.[76]The game secured wins in strategy-focused categories, including IGN's Best Strategy Game of 2016, praised for its tense tactical combat and procedural elements that enhanced replayability.[77] Similarly, it was featured in individual staff top lists at Kotaku's year-end rankings, with editors like Kirk Hamilton and Luke Plunkett placing it among their top 10 games of 2016 for its emotional storytelling through permadeath mechanics.[78][79] Polygon included XCOM 2 in broader "best of 2016" compilations, noting its evolution of the series' core formula.[80]
The expansion XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, released in 2017, continued this acclaim with a nomination for Best Strategy Game at The Game Awards 2017.[81] It also received a nomination for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year at the 21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards in 2018, acknowledging its additions like faction dynamics and character classes that deepened strategic layers.[82] Additionally, it won the NAVGTR Award for Game, Strategy in 2018, honoring lead designer Jacob Solomon's contributions to the genre.[81]Beyond formal awards, XCOM 2's modding scene garnered recognition at community events, such as modding contests at PAX and other conventions, where expansions like Long War 2 were celebrated for extending the game's longevity and complexity. No significant lifetime achievement or retrospective awards for the title were noted as of 2025.
Legacy
Modding community
XCOM 2 launched with built-in support for user-generated modifications through the Steam Workshop, allowing players to easily subscribe to and enable mods directly within the game's launcher. This integration was designed to foster a vibrant modding ecosystem from day one, with Firaxis Games and 2K encouraging community contributions by featuring select mods on their official Twitch channel and providing consultation via their Twitter account. Following the removal of the 2K Launcher in November 2024, mods are now managed through alternatives like the Alternative Mod Launcher (AML), which handles enabling, disabling, and compatibility checks, with improved support on platforms like Steam Deck.[83][84][85]The official modding toolkit includes the XCOM 2 SDK, distributed via Steam Tools, which provides access to game assets, scripting capabilities, and the ModBuddy editor for creating and compiling custom content such as new missions, characters, and UI elements. ModBuddy enables developers to import assets, write code in UnrealScript, and package mods for upload to the Workshop, streamlining the process from concept to distribution. This toolset has empowered creators to extend the base game significantly, though it requires familiarity with Unreal Engine principles.[86]Among the most prominent mods is Long War 2, developed by Pavonis Interactive, which serves as a total conversion overhaul that rebalances combat, expands the campaign to 100-120 missions, introduces nine new soldier classes, additional weapon tiers like coilguns, and enhanced AI behaviors to simulate a global guerrilla resistance against ADVENT. By incorporating territory management, infiltration mechanics, and dozens of new enemy variants, it transforms XCOM 2 into a deeper 4X-style strategy experience, significantly boosting replayability for veterans seeking greater challenge and variety. Other notable modifications include cosmetic packs that add customizable soldier outfits and total conversions like the Long War Perk Pack, which introduces modular ability trees, alongside enemy expansions such as the Alien Pack for new adversarial units.[87][88][89]The modding community thrives on platforms like Nexus Mods, where over 670 files are hosted, including tools for compatibility patching and asset repacks, and the Steam Workshop, which serves as the primary distribution hub with thousands of active subscriptions. Official engagement includes events such as the 2016 XCOM 2 Modding Contest in London, organized by Firaxis, where teams of up to six created original mods using the SDK, with prizes including in-game resources to highlight innovative community work. These hubs facilitate collaboration, troubleshooting, and sharing of resources like UI overhauls and balance tweaks.[90]Mods have profoundly extended the game's longevity by addressing balance issues and enhancing mechanics untouched by official patches, the last official update occurring in July 2025 with backend fixes and launcher adjustments thereafter. For instance, the A Better AI mod refines enemy decision-making, reducing exploits like pathing errors and improving pod activation to create more dynamic encounters without altering core difficulty. This community-driven evolution has kept XCOM 2 relevant nearly a decade post-launch, enabling hundreds of hours of varied playthroughs through procedural adjustments and content additions.[91][92][93]Despite these benefits, modders face challenges in maintaining compatibility across game patches, DLC like War of the Chosen, and platform versions, often requiring manual patches or tools like the Universal Enemy Compatibility Patch to resolve conflicts in enemy spawning and load orders. On mobile ports for iOS and Android, modding is severely limited due to the absence of the 2K Launcher and restricted file access, confining users to basic tweaks via side-loading while risking instability or bans from official stores.[94][95][96]
Cultural impact
XCOM 2 advanced the turn-based tactics genre by integrating procedural map generation with deep strategic layers, such as dynamic alien AI behaviors and squad customization, setting a standard for replayability and tension in tactical combat.[97] This approach influenced subsequent titles, including Gears Tactics, which reimagined overwatch mechanics and action points to differentiate from XCOM 2 while building on its core tactical framework.[98] Similarly, Phoenix Point, developed by the original XCOM creator Julian Gollop, expanded on XCOM 2's emphasis on simulation-heavy combat and global strategy elements, incorporating more granular faction interactions and weapon systems inspired by the series' evolution.[99]The game's success solidified the XCOM series as a flagship franchise for 2K Games and Firaxis, revitalizing interest in turn-based strategy after the 2012 reboot and paving the way for spin-offs like XCOM: Chimera Squad, which innovated on the established legacy with new breach-and-clear mechanics.[100] As of 2025, ongoing anticipation surrounds a potential XCOM 3, with the original creator expressing strong interest in its development amid fan demand for continued evolution of the series.[101]XCOM 2 has been referenced in gaming media exploring strategy titles, notably in discussions of permadeath's emotional impact, a mechanic that heightens stakes and has inspired player-driven narratives in documentaries on tactical design.[102] The permadeath system, where soldiers can permanently die, has also spawned widespread memes capturing the frustration and humor of sudden losses, such as phrases like "name a soldier after me" before missions, reflecting its cultural resonance in online gaming discourse.[102]The game's enduring community legacy includes vibrant fan art that reimagines soldiers and aliens, contributing to its artistic influence beyond gameplay.[103] It has fostered organized play through fan-hosted tournaments emphasizing competitive tactics, while its procedural generation techniques are studied in game design courses for teaching level variety and balance.[104]Despite no official remaster as of 2025, XCOM 2 remains playable and relevant through community enhancements, though some critiques highlight limited representation in soldier diversity, with calls for broader non-Western nationalities and appearances to better reflect global resistance themes.[105]