XCOM 2

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In XCOM 2, players lead the resistance against an alien occupation on Earth, commanding a force of soldiers in turn-based combat missions. The game features strategy layers including base building, research, and global tactics to manage, with procedurally generated levels ensuring unique challenges. As the commander of XCOM, players must make difficult decisions and plan carefully to make every soldier count in the fight for humanity's survival.

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Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 55,989 reviews

story3,131 positive mentions

optimization801 negative mentions

story
18,683 mentions
17 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story of *XCOM 2* is engaging and immersive, continuing the narrative from the first game where humanity is now under alien occupation. Players lead a resistance force through a series of high-stakes missions, each with unique objectives and challenges, while managing resources and soldier development. However, many reviews note that the story can feel repetitive and lacks depth compared to its predecessor, with some missions being overly reliant on timers that detract from strategic gameplay. Overall, while the story provides a solid backdrop, the gameplay mechanics and character development often take center stage.
- “XCOM 2 is a masterful blend of strategy and storytelling.”
- “The storytelling is immersive, with rich character development that makes you genuinely care about your squad members.”
- “The stakes feel incredibly high, and every decision you make resonates throughout the story.”
- “The story is essentially a rehash of the first game's; the DLCs are mostly junk, and the expansion ('War of the Chosen') basically adds 3 'bosses' that appear in the middle of your missions, use some seriously unbalanced and annoying abilities, and then teleport away when you 'kill' them, only to appear again a couple of missions later, at full health.”
- “The story is pretty basic and the neat twists are seemingly kept for the expansions, but it is still serviceable.”
- “The story is a little thin but that's not what we're here for.”
gameplay
7,732 mentions
31 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *XCOM 2* is characterized by its deep tactical mechanics and strategic depth, offering players a challenging experience that requires careful planning and resource management. While many players appreciate the engaging turn-based combat and the variety of customization options, some criticize the reliance on RNG, the introduction of timers that can rush gameplay, and certain mechanics that feel unbalanced or poorly explained. Overall, the game is praised for its addictive gameplay loop and extensive modding community, which enhances replayability and allows for significant customization of the experience.
- “Challenging but invigorating gameplay!”
- “There's so many mechanics and details that go into XCOM 2 that really place you in the perspective of a commander of a military resistance power, such as assigning research to improve upon equipment and tactical strategies, sending your troops on covert missions for miscellaneous advantages, building and upgrading various facilities to help the resistance on and off the field, and promoting your soldiers as they learn new abilities and become stronger - all while defending your ship and different outposts from the alien menace.”
- “The gameplay is engaging, thought-provoking, and very fun.”
- “Any fun the game offers is erased with weird combat mechanics and time limits that will leave you totally frustrated.”
- “The gameplay loop quickly became more about frustration and complications rather than fun, so I wouldn't recommend this one.”
- “The gameplay is so solid and methodical, the story is pretty good.”
graphics
3,351 mentions
39 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of XCOM 2 have received widespread praise for their impressive detail and aesthetic appeal, with many players noting that they hold up well even years after release. However, some users have reported significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and graphical glitches, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the game's visuals are generally considered a strong point, enhancing the immersive tactical gameplay.
- “Graphically, XCOM 2 is impressive, with detailed environments and character models that enhance the overall experience.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the story is nice, and there is plenty to do.”
- “The graphics are stunning, with detailed environments, dynamic lighting, and impressive special effects bringing its futuristic setting to life.”
- “The graphics are very subpar.”
- “The graphics are a bit outdated, but if one doesn't mind that, and the fact that one sort of learns where the enemy is hiding in the different maps, this is quite fun.”
- “The graphics are awful.”
optimization
2,799 mentions
10 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, frame rate drops, and long loading times, even on high-end systems. While some users have managed to improve performance through tweaks and settings adjustments, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized at launch, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Despite these issues, the core gameplay remains enjoyable, and players are hopeful for future patches to address the optimization concerns.
- “Not least important, War of the Chosen is so much better optimized than the original XCOM 2, with loading times between missions a lot faster.”
- “The character customization system is far more in-depth and allows you to really make your teams unique; new stealth mechanics are fun and interactive, performance and graphics are better, the story is more engaging, and the new level generation is top-notch.”
- “I would strongly recommend getting War of the Chosen as well, as it improves the game performance and adds some great features as well.”
- “I thought it would be fine after 8 years but the constant stuttering and skipping in cut scenes, 5-10 second delays transitioning turns between humans and aliens, vice versa and the game crashing when I tried to equip a flash bang to an operator proved my assumptions wrong.”
- “Get ready for some bad news though... optimization for the game is mud level, with even high-end computers often struggling to load, stuttering throughout levels and all sorts of jank and crash city.”
- “The performance is absolutely abysmal in some parts ranging from 20-40 fps, so if you can't deal with that stay well clear.”
stability
1,837 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been a significant point of contention among users, with many describing it as "buggy" and "glitchy." Common issues include frequent crashes, long loading times, and various visual glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some players report enjoying the game despite these problems, the overall consensus is that the game requires further optimization and bug fixes to enhance the user experience.
- “It runs great and looks great on Steam Deck.”
- “So far the game runs smoothly on high presets @ 2560x1440, no glitches.”
- “Absolutely amazing game, really love it running silky smooth with no glitches or problems.”
- “It is a buggy mess.”
- “The game is so buggy that now all I seem to experience is crashes because some virtual thing is already happening.”
- “The game is a buggy, unpolished, frustrating mess.”
replayability
1,755 mentions
54 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
XCOM 2 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, largely attributed to its procedural generation of maps and missions, which ensures that no two playthroughs are the same. The game's depth is further enhanced by a robust modding community that adds countless new content options, including classes, missions, and gameplay mechanics, making it nearly infinitely replayable. While some players note that the base game can feel linear after multiple runs, the combination of mods and expansions like "War of the Chosen" significantly boosts replay value, keeping players engaged for hundreds of hours.
- “An absolutely stellar tactical RPG, XCOM 2 is an infinitely replayable masterpiece with a vast combat system with depths deeper than the Mariana Trench when considering the base game, its fantastic DLC: War of the Chosen, and the rigorous modding community.”
- “Moreover, the game’s modding community has expanded its replayability exponentially, offering new missions, classes, and challenges that keep the gameplay fresh long after the main story concludes.”
- “The game's procedural generation makes each run and every roster of soldiers unique, ensuring near infinite replayability.”
- “The replay value is average; while there is some potential for replaying, it can feel exhausted after a certain point—especially if you compare it to games like Civilization.”
- “The campaign feels pretty much the same every time you play it, which would really hurt replayability, so you would need to add mods; not sure there are enough mods that adjust and change that side of the game.”
- “Despite these setbacks, I recommend this game for its replayability thanks to mods available here or on the nexusmods.”
music
663 mentions
41 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and tension during gameplay, particularly during combat scenarios. While some appreciate the orchestral scores and the nostalgic inclusion of tracks from previous titles, others find the soundtrack repetitive or less memorable compared to earlier entries in the series. Overall, the music is generally considered good, contributing positively to the game's immersive experience, though opinions vary on its standout quality.
- “The sheer gameplay variety, atmospheric music, and the well-made visual and sound effects make this my favorite turn-based tactical strategy game.”
- “The game's soundtrack, composed by Tim Wynn, complements the action with stirring orchestral scores and ambient soundscapes that heighten the tension and drama of each mission.”
- “Xcom 2 boasts a very impressive soundtrack that fits the feel of the game like a perfect puzzle; creating a murky atmosphere of danger and despair while still sustaining a sense of hope and determination.”
- “The soundtrack is complete s***.”
- “The music also distracts from, rather than adds to, the atmosphere in my opinion.”
- “The music is almost non-existent; my memory is so clean about XCOM 2 music that I at some point thought it does not exist.”
grinding
327 mentions
1 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game where missions often feel like a chore. While some appreciate the strategic depth and challenge, others criticize the slow pacing, excessive micromanagement, and reliance on RNG, which can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, players suggest that while the game has enjoyable moments, the grinding can detract significantly from the overall experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's basic and straightforward: excavate debris, build facilities which help you build stuff, research stuff to help you build stuff and fight the aliens, manage your soldiers, etc. Luckily, it's not tedious and doesn't take anything away from the game.”
- “Too much 'grindy'.”
- “The missions are tedious and take a long time; the game feels more like a dragging pace with no idea which mission to choose.”
- “The only problems I have are small things they added to make the game more difficult, which just made things annoying or tedious; one of them is the fatigue system.”
- “Xcom 2 is a miserable grinding simulator dressed up to look like something else, and they tacked on a bunch of casually irritating garbage like long load screens and a bad UI to really drive it home.”
humor
324 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in XCOM 2 is a standout feature, with players frequently noting the game's ability to blend absurdity with tactical gameplay. Many find the unexpected glitches, such as characters missing shots at high percentages or engaging in comically bad animations, to be a source of laughter rather than frustration. Additionally, the game's quirky character customization and snarky dialogue contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, making even the most challenging moments entertaining.
- “Where to start with XCOM 2... humor, frustration, and moments of pure euphoria in equal measure are indelible parts of this game.”
- “The game has a great sense of humor, from the snarky commentary of your squadmates to the ridiculous alien designs.”
- “Just make sure to have a sense of humor handy – you're going to need it when your best-laid plans go hilariously, spectacularly wrong.”
- “The issues that are there with the game are not funny anymore (if they ever were). Seriously, make a game that's not the cheapest, make DLC that makes it even more expensive if you want to purchase it as a whole, and over the years that it's been out, not bother to fix game-breaking issues like this?”
- “It has so much going for it, it's beyond not funny.”
- “Not just boringly unfunny, but lacks any jokes or hints of mockery.”
emotional
313 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
XCOM 2 is widely regarded as an emotional rollercoaster, where players develop deep attachments to their customizable soldiers, only to face the heart-wrenching reality of permadeath. The game's mechanics, particularly the RNG elements and the emotional weight of losing beloved characters, create a unique blend of stress and satisfaction, making every decision feel significant. Many players report experiencing genuine grief over their fallen soldiers, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong emotional responses through its storytelling and character development.
- “This personal investment is heightened by the permadeath system, where the loss of a soldier in battle is permanent, adding emotional weight to every decision on the battlefield.”
- “You will grow to love and cherish the squad you build and get emotional at their demise.”
- “The emotional rollercoaster you experience throughout the campaign is something else, as your soldiers, all with unique names, styles, and skill-sets can die in any battle from any little mistake, permanently.”
- “Boring story and terrible voice acting too.”
- “Exceptionally boring story.”
- “Clunky combat, boring story, extremely unbalanced and a sufferable interface make this a terrible turn-based strategy game.”
atmosphere
260 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, with many players noting its cinematic presentation, detailed environments, and atmospheric music that enhance the overall experience. However, some reviews express disappointment that it lacks the darker, more oppressive feel of previous titles, particularly the original XCOM, which had a more horror-like atmosphere. Overall, while the game excels in creating a rich and dynamic atmosphere, opinions vary on how it compares to its predecessors.
- “Visually, the game impresses with its cinematic presentation, creating an immersive and dramatic atmosphere, especially during critical combat moments.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly well-crafted, immersing you deeply into the game and making each mission a thrilling experience.”
- “The game's art direction is commendable, creating a dystopian atmosphere that perfectly complements the narrative and intensifies the overall gaming experience.”
- “One of the downsides is that compared to the other XCOM games, the atmosphere isn't as oppressive as usual.”
- “I miss the thick, mysterious, terrifying atmosphere of XCOM.”
- “The game has lost some atmosphere compared to the first one; there are dumb glitches from time to time.”
character development
90 mentions
37 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising the depth and customization options that enhance tactical gameplay and emotional investment in squad members. While some reviews highlight immersive storytelling and rich character arcs, others criticize the lack of background for certain characters and the inconsistency in character design quality. Overall, the game offers a robust character development system that significantly impacts gameplay, though opinions vary on its execution and narrative depth.
- “The storytelling is immersive, with rich character development that makes you genuinely care about your squad members.”
- “This game also offers character development through skills upgrades that the player chooses for their characters, which eventually becomes a critical factor in how this character contributes to the success of team operations.”
- “Xcom 2 has very good to amazing graphics, an excellent story, and very good character development with a deep variety of strategically complex skills that keep me coming back for hours on end to try different play styles.”
- “Not much of any specific character development or background on the VIPs we're saving or why retaliation and raids were happening.”
- “The story has a ton of potential; however, the delivery falls short with hastily acted out cutscenes and practically non-existent character development.”
- “There is a lack of character development beyond the basic leveling system that can be a drawback if you like more literary RPG games.”
monetization
76 mentions
4 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
82 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for this game has drawn significant criticism, with many players feeling that the introduction of a forced launcher primarily serves as a platform for intrusive advertisements rather than enhancing the gaming experience. While there are no microtransactions or loot boxes affecting gameplay, the frequent release of DLCs is perceived as cash grabs, leading to frustration over the lack of meaningful content and unresolved bugs. Overall, players express disappointment in the monetization approach, viewing it as exploitative and detrimental to the game's integrity.
- “Also, no loot boxes or microtransactions is a big bonus.”
- “Some of the small, cosmetic DLCs are overpriced, but there aren't any randomized loot boxes or microtransactions that affect the gameplay and frustrate the players.”
- “You can play it the way you want to, rather than being forced through artificial bottlenecks like competitive play, leaderboards, monetization, etc.”
- “These two faults alone were enough for many to leave this game behind forever, but the DLC cash grabs and difficulty balancing issues, as well as some lackluster boss fights, tipped the scales.”
- “Their only reasoning behind implementing the 2K launcher was so that they could force advertisements for products you do not own down your throat before you can play the game you already paid for.”
- “The constant stream of small DLCs feels more like a cash grab than meaningful content additions.”