Game Picks: ‘XCOM 2’ lives up to legacy of challenges and rewards

‘XCOM 2’ lives up to franchise legacy of challenges and rewards

“XCOM” has never pulled its punches. The series has continually pitted hapless humans against a blitzkrieg of technologically superior alien invaders. In fact, so many players failed to save Earth during their playthroughs of 2012’s “XCOM: Enemy Unknown” that Firaxis was inspired to dream up a dark future where the aliens actually won.

In “XCOM 2’s” dark future, small bands of human rebels have become the interlopers, and they are attempting to overturn a corrupt system and stop the aliens from exploiting the human race. It’s an intriguing premise, and “XCOM 2” lives up to its legacy of unforgiving challenge and unparalleled rewards.

You’re constantly under the gun in “XCOM 2,” and the deck is often stacked against you. Firaxis’ masterclass in strategy design has you second-guessing all your choices and analyzing your smallest decisions. It might sound stressful, and at times it is, but the battles are so compelling that it’s easy to pick yourself up after defeat and jump back into the fray. Successfully navigating “XCOM 2’s” storm of difficult choices is enough to make you feel like a true legend.

Concept: Aliens have taken over the world and your ragtag band of revolutionaries is all that can stop them from corrupting the human race.

Platform and style: PC; 1 or 2-player strategy

Rated: T

Graphics: Procedurally generated levels feature a lot of nice details – like scars on characters who have been critically wounded – that help bring the world to life.

Sound: The main theme is solid, but the music feels underutilized. Multiple language options for international squadmates is a nice addition, however.

Playability: The lack of controller support is unfortunate, but “XCOM’s” mouse/keyboard interface remains intuitive. Firaxis’ layered strategy is deep enough that it might take newcomers a while to master the ins-and-outs.

Entertainment: Alien firefights play out like deadly games of chess. The difficulty tests your resolve, but “XCOM” remains one of the deepest and most rewarding strategy games on the market.

Price: $59.99

Replay Value: High

Bottomline: 9.5/10

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Game Picks: ‘XCOM 2’ lives up to legacy of challenges and rewards."