XCOM: Chimera Squad

Mixing elements of the old and new games in the series, this game also mixes the humans and the aliens to create a Chimera Squad to tackle the ongoing threat/s to Earth.

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In XCOM: Chimera Squad, humans and aliens work together in a post-invasion world to maintain order in City 31. As the leader of this diverse squad, you'll manage agents with unique abilities and personalities, and use strategic turn-based combat to complete missions. The game introduces new tactical elements, including breaching, disruptable environments, and a reworked weapon system, providing a fresh take on the XCOM series.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,320 reviews

story1,132 positive mentions

stability971 negative mentions

story
7,859 mentions
14 % positive mentions
80 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story of "XCOM: Chimera Squad" is set in a post-XCOM 2 world where humans and aliens coexist, focusing on a police-like squad tasked with maintaining order in City 31. While the narrative attempts to explore themes of cooperation and societal rebuilding, many players find it shallow and predictable, often feeling like a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling plot. The character interactions and comic book-style storytelling add some charm, but the overall execution leaves much to be desired, with repetitive missions and a lack of emotional stakes due to the absence of permanent character deaths.
- “I'm also a fan of the comic book style art and storytelling in the cut scenes/dialogue between characters.”
- “One of my favorite parts of this game were the world-building quips in between missions.”
- “The story is light but fits in the post-narrative of XCOM 2.”
- “The story is contrived and lacks any real depth as it's very clear that there is a message they want to push.”
- “The story is paper-thin, serving exclusively as an excuse to move from one mission to another, but I can forgive that because the gameplay is where this game shines.”
- “The story is bad, the voice acting is terrible, and the aliens wear human clothes... what the hell?”
gameplay
4,475 mentions
33 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *XCOM: Chimera Squad* has been described as a streamlined and more accessible version of the traditional XCOM experience, featuring a new "breach" mechanic that allows players to initiate combat with a tactical advantage. While many players appreciate the faster-paced, bite-sized missions and the introduction of unique characters with distinct abilities, some criticize the game for its lack of depth, repetitive mechanics, and the absence of character customization and permadeath. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, albeit simplified, entry in the XCOM franchise that may serve as a testing ground for future titles.
- “The gameplay is good; games are shorter, decision making is more relaxed, and you can afford to be aggressive tactically.”
- “I really like the focus on characters that are mechanically (and thematically) different from each other.”
- “The new breach mechanic adds an element of surprise to each mission, allowing for some truly epic moments.”
- “If you are a fan of the XCOM games, do not expect the same level of gameplay or engagement.”
- “The gameplay is pretty bad as well, static breach points into the next room all the time.”
- “The breach mechanic is a minor addition which provides bonuses or drawbacks at the start of new rooms and you get a free shot to targets in range of the entry point; it's ok I guess, but not particularly amazing either.”
stability
984 mentions
1 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The stability of "XCOM: Chimera Squad" has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly detract from the gameplay experience. Many users experienced game-breaking issues, such as freezing during missions, disappearing equipment, and unresponsive actions, particularly during enemy reinforcements. While some players noted that minor glitches were tolerable, the overall consensus is that the game remains too unstable and unpolished, making it difficult to recommend in its current state.
- “I found the game to be mostly bug free, although there were times when I would have expected abilities to activate/trigger and they just didn't.”
- “Overall, a very enjoyable game, very solid, runs great and really scratches that XCOM itch.”
- “The game is also polished and (mostly) bug free.”
- “Most notably, the game is still filled with glitches and bugs, ranging from minor animation or camera angle issues to straight-up game-breaking problems.”
- “However, what I dislike the most about this game is how buggy it still is.”
- “The game is a broken, buggy mess.”
graphics
816 mentions
23 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant shift to a cartoonish and comic book art style that contrasts sharply with the more realistic aesthetics of previous XCOM titles. While some appreciate the vibrant visuals and unique character designs, others criticize the graphics as feeling cheap or lacking depth, often citing numerous graphical glitches and performance issues. Overall, the game's visuals are seen as a step down from XCOM 2, with a blend of recycled assets and new, less polished elements that may not appeal to all fans of the franchise.
- “The art style accentuates the lighthearted theme of the game, with cutscenes being rendered in a luscious cartoon style.”
- “Graphics are good for their period (2017ish?) they still hold up today!”
- “The game features a unique art style, with bright colors and stylized character designs that help set it apart from other XCOM games.”
- “The graphics are terrible and the game is broken and unpolished.”
- “The artwork is terrible.”
- “The graphics are of noticeably lower quality than XCOM 2 - for example, when you use a 'destroy cover' ability, the cover graphic just disappears - no explosion, no nothing.”
replayability
333 mentions
25 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The replayability of the game is a mixed bag among reviewers. While some players appreciate the variety offered by different squad compositions and the ability to tackle missions in various orders, many criticize the game for its limited customization options and fixed story elements, leading to a perception of low replay value compared to previous XCOM titles. Overall, it seems that while there are opportunities for multiple playthroughs, the experience may feel repetitive after the initial run.
- “Combined with the fact that the team members you are able to recruit (and the order they appear) shuffle every time, the campaign structure creates a lot of replayability.”
- “The replayability is extremely high and I fully intend to explore all the available options.”
- “The game is set up to have maximum replay value, the abilities feel unique and impactful, and the squad members are memorable despite having few lines of dialogue.”
- “The lack of replay value is its most significant drawback.”
- “A few interesting characters and a decent setting cannot offset the shallow gameplay, repetitive missions, rigid structure, and zero replayability.”
- “After the first playthrough, it's just more of the same; no real replayability.”
humor
278 mentions
96 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the lighthearted banter and quirky character interactions, while others find the attempts at comedy forced and juvenile. Many reviews highlight the contrast between the game's comedic tone and the serious themes of the XCOM franchise, leading to a jarring experience for some. Overall, while there are moments of genuine humor, the execution often falls flat, resulting in a range of reactions from laughter to cringing.
- “The overall tone is lighter and more humorous, while the voices are a small disaster - it's my first time when I've heard a talking snake that doesn't do anything with an 's' consonant, but sounds like an angsty teenage girl.”
- “I had a blast discovering each character's unique abilities and traits, and the banter between them is both hilarious and heartwarming.”
- “The characters are quirky and funny.”
- “Characters likewise lack any real depth and instead go for just 'modern' stereotypes with the unfunny 'witty' humor, which is neither.”
- “Stupid story, comic cutscenes, unfunny jokes... got bored really quick.”
- “Which leads to another issue, communication; your squad won’t shut up with unfunny remarks, pedantic corrections, cringeworthy jokes, jabs and swipes at each other. It's like listening to a bunch of teenagers trying to outsmart one another.”
music
179 mentions
41 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising it as fitting and enjoyable, while others find it unremarkable or forgettable compared to previous titles in the XCOM series. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the atmosphere, though some note that it lacks the memorability of earlier installments. Overall, while the music is generally considered good, it does not consistently stand out as a highlight of the game.
- “The music is awesome - probably my favorite XCOM OSTs which adds some synths to the orchestral take.”
- “The music is fantastic.”
- “The soundtrack is solid, the main theme and base themes are very atmospheric and really capture the new world pretty well and some of the combat themes are pretty nice as well.”
- “Sadly, the propaganda element also comes with a side of poorly written story and lackluster music, but the voice acting is good, some of the sound assets are great, the graphics are good, the game mechanics are good and the game has few perceptible bugs.”
- “The soundtrack is unremarkable and the voice acting is sort of bad.”
- “The music is absolutely forgettable; the new elements at play are functional at best.”
optimization
140 mentions
12 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including lag, crashes, and long load times, particularly in comparison to its predecessor, XCOM 2. While some users experienced smooth gameplay and improved performance on higher-end systems, others faced severe bugs and subpar optimization that hindered their experience. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a major point of contention, with many hoping for future patches to address these issues.
- “The game is actually better optimized than XCOM 2 itself was - less lag and glitches - and so many creative ways to employ the skills of your team.”
- “Performance is rock solid, and I consistently get 144fps at max settings on 1080p with a GTX 1070, i7 6700k.”
- “Excellent job and big thumbs up to the dev team for abolishing the abysmal game engine performance of XCOM and XCOM 2; the game now runs as it should, smooth sailing all the way with absolutely no framerate drops below the screen refresh rates.”
- “This game has very terrible optimization.”
- “The optimization is horrendous: everything is laggy even on minimal graphic settings and occasionally the game just freezes outright making my computer unresponsive.”
- “Chimera Squad is game-breakingly buggy, poorly designed and optimized, and frequently fails to explain vital information to the player.”
grinding
128 mentions
2 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mixed reception regarding grinding in "XCOM: Chimera Squad." While some players appreciate the streamlined mechanics that reduce tedious elements from previous titles, many find the gameplay repetitive and grindy, particularly with the breach mechanic and mission structure becoming monotonous over time. Overall, the game is seen as less grind-heavy than its predecessors, but still suffers from pacing issues and a lack of engaging content in the later stages.
- “Can be fairly repetitive, but with the short 10-15 minute missions it isn't too grinding.”
- “There is no farming experience here; agents level up via completed missions, so don't waste missions on ineffective agents. Plan your game.”
- “The stakes are lower, progression is honestly somewhat tedious at times, and the worst part is the UI seems even buggier in 2024 than when it was first released, plus a somewhat bland story that's saved by fun characters that deserve a more fleshed-out story.”
- “Almost everything that has made XCOM great for decades is removed in favor of a totally streamlined, bare-bones, and ultimately very lackluster low-effort experience that is only mediocre at best in a few parts, which rapidly becomes a tedious slog to finish.”
- “The entire atmosphere of the game is way too 'haha quirky' and the gameplay runs on the engine of XCOM 2, so everything is buggy, slow, and tedious.”
atmosphere
107 mentions
26 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the serious and tense tone of previous XCOM titles. Instead, it presents a lighter, more comedic vibe that some find charming, while others feel it undermines the franchise's established themes of alien threat and human struggle. Overall, the vibrant and colorful world, along with quirky character interactions, creates a unique atmosphere that may appeal to some but disappoints those seeking the gritty, immersive experience of earlier games.
- “The new turn system mixes things up a bit and feels fitting for evoking a more hectic atmosphere of the smaller mostly indoor battles.”
- “The atmosphere, dialogues, and overall art direction of the game is a bit lame and makes everything feel like it's from a cheesy cartoon for young teenagers.”
- “Chimera Squad has an oddly charming atmosphere to it, and the banter between the different agents usually makes me chortle.”
- “The atmosphere is so far removed from what I'd expect that it feels like candy-coated garbage.”
- “The atmosphere was a lot less serious, which my girlfriend enjoyed.”
- “The entire atmosphere of the game is way too 'haha quirky' and the gameplay runs on the engine of XCOM 2, so everything is buggy, slow, and tedious.”
character development
93 mentions
22 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the depth given to squad members while others criticize the lack of meaningful growth and interaction. Many reviews highlight that while character designs are visually appealing, the development feels shallow and linear, often failing to create a strong emotional connection with the characters. Overall, the game offers some unique personalities and banter, but it falls short in delivering a cohesive and impactful character arc, leaving players wanting more substantial storytelling and character evolution.
- “I really appreciate the character development on the squad side; I wish the enemy factions got as much exposition (maybe some extra dossier type information, an ability to interrogate some of the folks you capture, just some mechanism to learn more about them).”
- “All these little details: interesting audio hits between missions, meaningful choices everywhere, character development that tied me to the different members of my squad.”
- “The new turn order system goes a long way to increase the tactical depth of the game while the new abilities and character development system makes it more fun.”
- “Character development is more or less thrown out the window, while the soldiers you control are either annoying or childish.”
- “They lack strong character development; it just falls flat here.”
- “If you're going to take a popular strategy game and revamp it with added story and character development, you should at least make the story and characters memorable.”
monetization
72 mentions
4 % positive mentions
7 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" due to its reliance on frequent advertisements and a perceived lack of depth in gameplay. While some appreciate the humor in the ads and the effort put into world-building, the overwhelming presence of promotional content and the online-only requirement have left players feeling frustrated and concerned about the game's value. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some seeing it as a genuine effort and others viewing it as a shallow attempt to capitalize on the XCOM brand.
- “Microtransactions make the game easier.”
- “Microtransactions are needed to have any fun.”
- “Even the base management feels more like I am playing a mobile phone game that got in-app purchases removed.”
- “It's obviously meant to be a cash grab, but I can't bring myself to hate it for all its flaws.”
- “Overall a very unpolished experience, looks more like an indie cash grab than an XCOM successor.”
- “This game feels like a mobile game cash grab for the lockdown.”
emotional
62 mentions
89 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling a lack of attachment to characters due to the absence of permadeath and a compelling narrative. While some appreciate the light-hearted banter and unique character traits, others criticize the repetitive gameplay and forgettable story, which diminishes emotional investment. Overall, the game struggles to evoke the same depth of feeling as its predecessors, leaving players feeling disconnected from their squad.
- “The game lets you pimp and preen and feel attached to these characters, which opens you up for a great emotional moment when your beloved sexy snek gets beaned in the head by a blast of plasma, killing them forever; a staple of the series.”
- “I had a blast discovering each character's unique abilities and traits, and the banter between them is both hilarious and heartwarming.”
- “The story is such a fun and heartfelt about a hurt-yet-hopeful future with an intersectional cast of characters.”
- “How the hell do you introduce a game with aliens and then proceed to come up with the least scary, wholly boring storyline?”
- “Great gameplay, well-functioning and innovative new systems, but a boring storyline full of clichés and overused tropes.”
- “A pretty boring storyline with an even worse ending, a squad of 11 characters which most were 2-dimensional, dialogue between them was rarely enjoyable with the odd witty banter.”