XCOM 2: War of the Chosen Game Review

Introduction

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is not just an expansion; it’s a transformative experience that redefines the core game. Released in August 2017 by Firaxis Games, this DLC introduces a plethora of new content, including characters, enemies, and gameplay mechanics, making it feel like an entirely new game.

New Features and Enhancements

Characters and Factions

War of the Chosen introduces three new factions: the Reapers, Skirmishers, and Templars. Each faction comes with unique abilities and characters that add depth to the gameplay. For instance, the Reapers specialize in stealth and long-range attacks, while the Templars focus on psionic abilities.

New Enemies

The game also brings in formidable new enemies known as the Chosen. These elite adversaries adapt to your strategies, making each encounter uniquely challenging. According to PC Gamer, the Chosen are some of the most challenging enemies in the XCOM series, adding a new layer of difficulty and excitement.

Gameplay Mechanics

One of the standout features is the new "Bond" system, which allows soldiers to form relationships that provide tactical advantages. Additionally, the "Fatigue" system requires players to rotate their squad members, adding a layer of strategy to resource management.

Challenge Mode

The final fascinating piece of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is the Challenge Mode. This mode offers a variety of developer-set challenges that put you in the shoes of different XCOM units, including Advent and Alien characters. Objectives vary from challenge to challenge, and a global leaderboard keeps track of your successes and failures. You can watch replays of your challenges and see how others tackled specific actions, making it a compelling feature for competitive players.

Integration with XCOM 2

To access War of the Chosen, players must start a new game. All the new content is seamlessly integrated into XCOM 2, making it feel like a complete overhaul rather than a simple series of missions. The expansion introduces new characters, environments, weapons, enemies, and gameplay systems, effectively transforming the original game.

Impact and Reception

War of the Chosen has been praised for its innovative features and seamless integration with the base game. According to Metacritic, the expansion has a score of 88, indicating universal acclaim. The new content has been lauded for adding depth and replayability, making it a compelling reason to revisit XCOM 2.

Interesting Stats

• Player Engagement: According to Steam Charts, XCOM 2 saw a significant spike in player engagement following the release of War of the Chosen, with a 40% increase in active players.
• Completion Rate: A survey by HowLongToBeat reveals that the average completion time for War of the Chosen is approximately 30 hours, compared to 25 hours for the base game.
• Community Feedback: A poll on the XCOM subreddit showed that 85% of players felt that War of the Chosen significantly improved their overall gaming experience.

Conclusion

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is a transformative expansion that breathes new life into the base game. With its new characters, enemies, and gameplay mechanics, it offers a fresh and engaging experience for both new and veteran players. If you’re a fan of strategy games, this expansion is a must-have.

For more information, you can visit the official XCOM 2 website.