Strategy game XCOM 2 was finally released on Feb. 5 exclusively for the PC after a delay in its launch, which was originally set for November 2015.
The sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM 2 shows the state of the world 20 years after the events of the first game. Humanity is not in a good shape as it succumbed to the alien invasion, but a military organization that was tasked to protect the planet from aliens has transformed into a resistance force that looks to boot the invaders out of Earth.
With the game now out, does it live up to the hype, continuing the success of its predecessor? Or does XCOM 2 fail in meeting the high standards that gamers have set for it?
The moves that gamers make in battle are of "calculated desperation," notes Kotaku's Nathan Grayson, as players always find themselves outnumbered and outgunned. In addition, unlike in the game's predecessor, many of the missions in XCOM 2 funnel gamers toward different objectives such as rescuing civilians, planting bombs to destroy items and carrying out evacuations within time limits.
Grayson's review also praises the interface of the game, stating that it is clean and intuitive despite the amount of information that players need to know at all times.
"XCOM 2 masterfully creates the illusion that the odds are completely against you, while giving you numerous opportunities to Rocky your way back to the top," Grayson adds.
"At its core, it is still the same isometric turn-based strategy game it has always been, but a darkness has been cast over every element of the game," says Nic Rowen from Destructoid, as the tactical aspect of the title is now keener and crueler.
Rowen notes that the XCOM group is no longer the military powerhouse that it was in the first game because it has been relegated into using guerilla warfare. As such, players operate their teams with these principles, as they strike aliens from the shadows and employ various tactics that take advantage of the element of surprise.
The challenge for XCOM 2 is said to be stiffer, but it is not due to a buff to the stats of enemies but rather due to variations and the wider range of tactics that gamers can choose from. The game has also been able to change up its formula to make alien encounters surprising, unpredictable and scary.
"A total improvement to a game that I already thought was pretty damn close to perfect," says Rowen.
For IGN's Dan Stapleton, one of the major points of the game is the customizable characters, and becoming attached to them knowing that any of them can get permanently killed on a mission due to mistakes or plain bad luck is a daring risk.
"XCOM 2 is a game where you can theoretically do everything right and still lose to bad rolls of the dice, but on the whole a good player will generally come out on top," Stapleton says.
Stapleton also takes note that the system of giving players two moves per turn is back, as well as soldier classes that are similar in theme to the first game but remain different due to new and diverse abilities.
XCOM 2 may suffer from several animation glitches and inconvenient bugs, but because of the unique spin on tactical combat, the unpredictable maps and the randomized loot and objectives, the game is still an amazing one, says Stapleton.
PC Gamer's Tom Senior notes that the game involves many strategic layers, but just describing these layers is not enough in capturing the rhythm of success and setback that makes the game so gripping for gamers. XCOM 2 utilizes the scarcity of opportunity to force players into difficult dilemmas.
"Thanks to your varying starting position, procedural missions and tactical depth, XCOM 2 can and should be played repeatedly," says Senior.
Charlie Hall from Polygon also has good things to say about the game.
"XCOM 2 is bigger, stronger and more capable than XCOM: Enemy Unknown in every way," says Hall. He adds that despite some technical issues, XCOM 2 remains the best XCOM title that has ever been made.
Hall notes that the gameplay has a deliberate and organic kind of pacing from the incredible variety of scenarios and the procedurally generated maps. The strategic components of the title also received a major improvement.
"In motion, XCOM 2 makes the original reboot from 2012 and its DLC expansion look amateurish by comparison ... Despite the bugs, it's still the best-looking, most exciting turn-based tactical game I've ever played," Hall adds.
Early reviews coming in for XCOM 2 indicate that it is a must-not-miss game, especially for fans of XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Good luck in saving the planet from aliens.
