XCOM: Chimera Squad

About

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

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 28,089 reviews

story2.6k positive mentions

stability2.2k negative mentions

The gameplay features a fun and innovative breach mechanic, adding a fresh dynamic to the traditional XCOM formula.
Character interactions and banter are often humorous and charming, providing a lighthearted touch to the game.
The game offers a unique art style and vibrant visuals that set it apart from previous XCOM titles.

The story is weak and repetitive, lacking depth and emotional investment in the characters.
The game is plagued by numerous bugs, crashes, and performance issues, significantly detracting from the overall experience.
Many players find the gameplay to be simplified and repetitive, lacking the strategic complexity expected from the XCOM series.

story
17,946 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
80%
6%
The story in "XCOM: Chimera Squad" is generally viewed as weak and lacking depth compared to its predecessors, with many players finding it repetitive and unengaging. While the game introduces a more character-driven narrative with predefined agents, the plot often feels like a series of disconnected missions rather than a cohesive story, leading to a lack of emotional investment in the characters. The gameplay, featuring a new breach mechanic and shorter missions, is appreciated for its fast-paced nature, but the overall experience is marred by a simplistic storyline and limited mission variety.
- “I did really enjoy that the squad members were true individuals and had their own stories to be discovered as you brought them on more missions.”
- “The story revolves around a squad of police-like special forces, made up of a mix of human and alien characters, as they tackle a crime filled with mystery.”
- “The story is actually interesting, and the XCOM 2 cinematics are movie quality.”
- “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 disconnected from the gameplay, consisting of repetitive missions and summarized in a few sentences every few hours.”
gameplay
10,165 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The gameplay of *XCOM: Chimera Squad* has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the introduction of new mechanics such as the breach system and interleaved turn order, which add a fresh dynamic to the traditional XCOM formula. However, some critics argue that the gameplay feels simplified and repetitive compared to previous titles, lacking the depth and strategic complexity that fans expect. Overall, while the game offers a fun and accessible experience for newcomers, it may not fully satisfy long-time XCOM veterans seeking the same level of challenge and customization.
- “After two campaign playthroughs, the TL;DR is that Chimera Squad delivers on having an addictive core gameplay loop with enough depth to make a normal twenty-hour playthrough enjoyable.”
- “The breach mechanic is fun and it is definitely one of the game's best selling points given that it's an exclusive mechanic to this game alone and not the other XCOM games.”
- “XCOM games are really the pinnacle of turn-based, while the gameplay for this one is different, it's fun and it brings plenty to the table for any XCOM fan or any new player that likes turn-based XCOM-style games.”
- “The game is nonsense from the ground up and lacks any kind of mechanical or narrative cohesion.”
- “Awful millennial dialogue that doesn't even seem coherent, worse mechanics, a confusing base UI, retconned lore, terrible redesigns, and a weird difficulty spike.”
- “The gameplay is not fun.”
stability
2,219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The stability of "XCOM: Chimera Squad" has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, crashes, and graphical glitches that significantly detract from the gameplay experience. Many users experienced game freezes, particularly during enemy reinforcements, and some encountered game-breaking issues that required restarting missions or campaigns. While some players found the game enjoyable despite its flaws, the consensus is that it remains a buggy and unpolished title, making it difficult to recommend, especially for those who prefer a stable gaming experience.
- “Overall, a very enjoyable game, very solid, runs great and really scratches that XCOM itch.”
- “As someone with a relatively bug-free playthrough, this game has been quite enjoyable. The gameplay is a simplified version of the previous two XCOM installments, focusing on smaller battles and character development of a set squad, rather than random troopers that can be lost at any given time.”
- “It's £10, it's extremely solid gameplay that is bug-free, and all the ideas work.”
- “Most notably the game is still filled with glitches and bugs, ranging from minor animation or camera angle issues, to straight up game breaking shit.”
- “The game is a broken buggy mess.”
- “However, what I dislike the most about this game is how buggy it still is.”
graphics
1,855 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
7%
The graphics of *XCOM: Chimera Squad* have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant reliance on recycled assets from *XCOM 2*, leading to a perception of outdated visuals. While some appreciate the comic book art style and vibrant aesthetics, others criticize it as cartoonish and lacking depth, detracting from the overall experience. Additionally, numerous graphical glitches and performance issues have been reported, impacting gameplay and immersion.
- “The art style accentuates the lighthearted theme of the game, with cutscenes being rendered in a luscious cartoon style.”
- “The game features a unique art style, with bright colors and stylized character designs that help set it apart from other XCOM games.”
- “I love the comic book art style the game has, the gameplay is also very fun even if I feel I am not getting 100% into every aspect of the game I still could go through the levels, and have fun with each one.”
- “Graphically, Chimera Squad looks like it's a game from a decade ago and despite being an offshoot of XCOM 2, it doesn't seem to want to use the strengths your characters have.”
- “The graphics are terrible and the game is broken and unpolished.”
- “Everything about this game is lazy and crappy and the graphics look worse than XCOM 2.”
replayability
740 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
62%
11%
The replayability of "XCOM: Chimera Squad" is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it offers some replay value through different squad compositions and mission order, it lacks the depth and variability of previous XCOM titles. Some reviews highlight the potential for multiple playthroughs due to the limited number of characters you can recruit in a single run, while others criticize the game's fixed story and repetitive missions, leading to a perception of low overall replayability. Overall, it seems that while there are elements that encourage replay, such as character diversity and mission branching, many players feel it doesn't reach the replayability levels of earlier entries in the series.
- “There are tons of enemies and agents with useful abilities that allow you to create interesting strategies, which keeps the replayability very high.”
- “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 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.”
- “However, the game severely lacks in replayability and challenging gameplay.”
humor
636 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The humor in the game is highly polarizing, with some players finding it amusing and lighthearted, while others criticize it as forced, juvenile, and out of place within the game's darker themes. Many reviews highlight the banter between characters as a source of both charm and cringe, with some moments eliciting genuine laughter, while others fall flat or feel overly contrived. Overall, the humor adds a unique flavor to the game, but its execution often detracts from the serious undertones of the narrative, leading to mixed reactions from the player base.
- “I had a blast discovering each character's unique abilities and traits, and the banter between them is both hilarious and heartwarming.”
- “The dialogue is very funny, an unexpected plus.”
- “The interactions between the squads is hilarious and the artstyle feels like it right out of a comic book.”
- “Stupid story, comic cutscenes, unfunny jokes ... got bored really quick.”
- “Which leads to another issue, communication: your squad won’t stop with unfunny remarks, pedantic corrections, cringeworthy jokes, and jabs at each other. It’s like listening to a bunch of teenagers trying to outsmart one another. I wish the writers would stop doing this; not every character needs to reply to everything with a wise-ass remark. It doesn’t make them interesting; it makes me want to leave them behind to be killed.”
- “The characters are easily the worst part about this game, and their banter is unfunny for the most part.”
music
408 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its fitting atmosphere and unique style, while others find it unremarkable or forgettable compared to previous titles in the XCOM series. Many appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the game's themes, though some tracks are noted for being repetitive or lacking the excitement of earlier scores. Overall, while the music is generally considered good, it does not consistently stand out as memorable or iconic.
- “I love the unique take on XCOM, the vibrant colors, the unique music, and the banter between the characters.”
- “The music is awesome - probably my favorite XCOM OSTs which adds some synths to the orchestral take.”
- “The music is really pretty and feels just right for the game.”
- “I found the OST unremarkable, but after XCOM legacy OST on 2, anything is unremarkable....”
- “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
325 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
55%
28%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including lag, crashes, and poor frame rates, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users noted improvements over previous titles like XCOM 2, others experienced severe bugs and inconsistent performance, leading to frustration. Overall, the game appears to be poorly optimized for a variety of setups, with a need for further patches to address these technical shortcomings.
- “The game is actually really well optimized and has lower system requirements than XCOM 2, despite being 4 years older.”
- “It's optimization is far superior to XCOM 2, and I love that.”
- “The characters are full of personality, and 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.”
- “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
278 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
5%
94%
The grinding aspect of "XCOM: Chimera Squad" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the streamlined mechanics that reduce tedious elements from previous titles, many find the gameplay repetitive and the breach mechanic becomes monotonous over time. Overall, players note that while the game is less grindy than its predecessors, it can still feel tedious and unengaging, especially in the later stages of the campaign.
- “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.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “It's not hard, at least not as hard as XCOM 2, but it is tedious, boring, and it feels like an XCOM fan game more so than a true XCOM title.”
- “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.”
- “It's just boring repetition; the missions all feel the same, the breach mechanic, although initially cool in the way it sets up each encounter as a set piece, ends up being tedious and annoying.”
atmosphere
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
64%
9%
The atmosphere in the latest XCOM installment has drawn mixed reactions, with many players noting a significant departure from the dark, tense ambiance of previous games. Critics highlight a cartoonish, lighthearted tone that clashes with the series' established themes of survival and desperation, leading to a more relaxed and sometimes juvenile atmosphere. While some appreciate the vibrant visuals and humorous character interactions, others feel that this shift undermines the franchise's original intensity and depth, resulting in a less engaging experience overall.
- “The hq base and strategic layer feel fun and look exceptional, as does the overall atmosphere of city 31, plenty of references to the events of x-com 2 as well as standing on its own as a narrative atmosphere.”
- “Chimera squad has an oddly charming atmosphere to it, and the banter between the different agents usually makes me chortle.”
- “The music is wonderful, the graphic-novel-style artwork and over-the-top dialogue are very atmospheric and I think set a fun tone.”
- “The atmosphere is so far removed from what I'd expect that it feels like candy-coated garbage.”
- “It completely lost the atmosphere that was part of what made XCOM games so great.”
- “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.”
character development
208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
67%
13%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while some individual operatives exhibit strong development, overall character growth feels limited and linear. Critics highlight a lack of meaningful interactions and depth, particularly for enemy factions, which detracts from the potential for a more engaging narrative. Additionally, character design has been criticized for being uninspired or poorly executed, leading to a disconnect between players and the characters they control.
- “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.”
- “It has a more in-depth story with character development for your soldiers, which is awesome.”
- “Character development is more or less thrown out the window, while the soldiers you control are either annoying or childish.”
- “Also, there is no character development at all which you'd expect from a game like this, with actual story arcs or something coming out of spending the whole game with the cast.”
- “The character development is very shallow.”
monetization
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
8%
90%
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 and world-building elements tied to the ads, the overwhelming presence of promotional content has left a negative impression, leading to concerns about the game's overall quality and intentions. Despite mixed feelings, a few players argue that the game offers enough unique features to justify its price, though many still recommend waiting for a sale.
- “Microtransactions make the game easier.”
- “Xsolla -> monetization, analytics, and payments; Google LLC -> big data, advertisement, analytics; Firaxis Games, Inc.”
- “Even the base management feels more like I am playing a mobile phone game that got in-app purchases removed.”
- “Very much a cash grab when cinematics are replaced by comic book stills.”
- “Instead I get spammed with advertisements 90% in between the missions (no it does not add to the atmosphere, it's annoying like in real life).”
- “Overall a very unpolished experience, looks more like an indie cash grab than an XCOM successor.”
emotional
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
14%
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing a lack of attachment to characters due to a boring storyline and the absence of permanent character deaths, which diminishes the stakes and emotional weight typically found in the XCOM series. While some appreciated the humorous banter and light-hearted interactions among characters, others found the overall narrative uninspiring and repetitive, leading to a general sense of emotional disconnection. Ultimately, the game fails to evoke the deep emotional investment that fans expect from tactical games like XCOM, leaving many feeling indifferent or disappointed.
- “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.”
- “The story is such a fun and heartfelt about a hurt-yet-hopeful future with an intersectional cast of characters.”
- “And as usual, at least for me, you form attachments to your team and emotionally invest in them beyond the confines of pure gaming.”
- “How the hell do you introduce a game with aliens and then proceed to come up with the least scary, wholly boring storyline?”
- “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.”
- “Great gameplay, well-functioning and innovative new systems, but a boring storyline full of clichés and overused tropes.”

75%Critics’ scoreBased on 35 critic reviews

Buy XCOM: Chimera Squad

17h Median play time

44h Average play time

8-29h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 380 analyzed playthroughs

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