Video Reviews

GameTrailers 9.3/10

Written Reviews

Attack of the Fanboy 4.5/5

XCOM 2 surpasses most of the expectations that fans could have for the sequel to such a great game. The core gameplay is still the same fine-tuned tactical perfection, with a few tweaks that really enhance the experience this time around. Newcomers might find a bit of a learning wall as they try to figure out how all of the game elements come together, but once it clicks XCOM 2 will quickly become an addiction. Technical issues do mar the experience somewhat though, so hopefully they are handled quickly with updates.

DailyDot 5/5

XCOM 2 doubles-down on the difficulty of the tactical and strategic halves of the game, and the increased risk may help players form even stronger relationships with their soldiers than in Enemy Unknown. I took the time to write an epitaph for Cpt. Williams that no one but me would ever read—that’s when I knew just how good this game is.

DigitalTrends 5/5

Even without any mods, XCOM 2 is an absolutely fantastic game. Firaxis took one of the best strategy games in recent memory and improved upon it in nearly every way. For a game this rich and complete to be just the beginning, with the promise of mods and official expansions in the coming years, is extraordinary. XCOM 2 is a stunning achievement, and I cannot wait to see where it goes next.

EGM 7.5/10

When operating efficiently, the ground gameplay of XCOM 2 gives me an interesting, almost juvenile impression of being fun when winning, but infuriating when things don’t go my way. Commanding holds a similarly bipolar satisfaction, depending on if all is going according to plan. At its best, XCOM 2 is an engaging experience unlike most other games, and despite all that’s been said, don’t take away it isn’t worth a look. There are true moments of enjoyment to be had, but the constant stress as resources dwindled or a squadmate gets taken out due to complete nonsense too often turns the game from exhilarating to exhausting.

Eurogamer Essential

XCOM 2 isn't a reworking of the original game, then - it's a genuine response to it. A response to us. Turns out Firaxis was on overwatch all along.

Escapist 4.5/5

XCOM 2 improves on its predecessor in almost every way, and proudly stands as one of the most deeply satisfying action-strategy games currently available. Whether you're new to the series or clamoring to dive back in, XCOM 2 is a complex and challenging game worthy of a day-one purchase.

GameCrate 9/10

Saving early and often is highly recommended for your first stab at XCOM 2, and you can decide for yourself if the shame of save scumming is worse than the pain of realizing your game state is essentially unwinnable. Regardless of your choice, you can rest assured that XCOM 2 manages to make painful losses fun, and its addictive "one-more-mission" gameplay will be a highlight of the year for strategy fans.

GameInformer 9.5/10

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 XCOM 2's 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.

GamePlanet 9/10

XCOM 2 manages to raise the stakes and challenge of its predecessor without ever becoming too frustrating. Defeat will be frequent and death even more so, but victory is all the more sweet for it. In short, it's bigger, better, broader, and even more brutal!

GameSpot 9/10

So time keeps ticking in XCOM 2, and the best we can do is make the right choices when we have the chance. XCOM 2 imparts the weight of those decisions, and that's what makes it extraordinary. It's mathematical, emotional, and thoughtful all at once. It's exhilarating, even in the face of failure. It's compelling, even though we often lose. Victory is the goal, but that's just an afterthought here--it's the complex journey that counts.

GameWatcher 9/10

XCOM 2 is everything a sequel should be, keeping the things that everyone loved about the first game while changing things up as much as possible. Turning XCOM into a scrappy resistance force alters the sequel considerably, not necessarily for the better but certainly for an equally interesting and different campaign. The enemy forces and AI have been revamped considerably, making for a hugely nerve-wracking and yet satisfying time, and the sheer variety in missions is superb.

IGN 9.3/10

With a focus on variety and replayability, this sequel has an answer to most of my complaints about 2012’s excellent XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and aside from some mostly cosmetic bugs, it comes together brilliantly. Thanks to a new spin on the same great tactical combat, plus unpredictable maps and randomized objectives and loot, XCOM 2 is an amazing game I’ll easily put hundreds of hours into.

PCGamer 9.4/10

Exceptionally tough, rewarding strategy and a masterful reworking of the XCOM formula. We’ll play this forever.

Polygon 9/10

In spite of a few glaring technical issues, XCOM 2 represents a high water mark for the entire franchise. Firaxis successfully tells an evocative story. It treats players with respect and includes so many small quality of life improvements over the original they are simply too numerous to mention. It is challenging enough at its basic difficulty level to feel like a complete experience. Despite the bugs, it's still the best-looking, most exciting turn-based tactical game I've ever played.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun Recommended

Enduring extended loadtimes and the occasional wonky camera angle is a small price to pay for a game so accomplished. XCOM 2 is an improvement on its predecessor in every way and the vast majority of those improvements have been applied so intelligently that they risk making Enemy Unknown obsolete. That game was a smart remake of a classic. XCOM 2 is a classic in its own right and as good a sequel as I can remember.

Shacknews 8/10

In many ways, XCOM 2 is more of what we already enjoyed in the recent reboot, with a few considerable improvements. The new units liven up the experience and add much more variety, while the procedurally generated maps help to customize every player’s experience into a one of a kind novelty. If you’re a newcomer to the resistance or an old veteran, XCOM 2 is a smartly designed action-strategy game with a staggering amount of content and replayability.