XCOM 2 - gamescom Preview

At gamescom this year Firaxis revealed a new gameplay trailer for XCOM 2. The game shares many similarities with Enemy Unknown, but also introduces some interesting new features that look to make it a worthy successor. One of these is the new base of operations that XCOM use called the Avenger.

The Avenger, aptly named as it bears a resemblance to the Helicarrier from the Marvel films, is XCOM’s mobile base, used to transport your forces around the world. With the aliens having inhabited Earth for around 20 years, the Avenger is vital to repelling their forces. You use it to coordinate strikes and missions however your moves aren’t unlimited. You have to manage your resources and fuel economy, planning where you’ll go and where will be most beneficial.

Travelling the world and completing missions with the Avenger will gain you rumours from which you can gain intel. This intel will net you resources, supplies or members but since you’re limited on how far you can travel, you have to consider if the journey and fuel will be worth it.

The Avenger is run through the same ant-farm view as the last base from Enemy Unknown. This time though you can’t access certain areas until you excavate them from alien debris. The Avenger is a repurposed alien vessel and as you progress through the game, you’ll be able to access new areas of the ship, discovering secrets about alien technology which could prove extremely useful. The familiar layout feels different though because of a more detailed look at the rooms on offer. The barracks showed fighters training whereas the research centre had scientists working. You can assign staff members to numerous rooms who will provide bonuses to that department. The demo also showed a number of conversations between characters that highlighted an improved narrative, and a deeper emphasis on story.

With the aliens having occupied Earth for the last 20 years, human resistance is scattered. There’s no longer a Global Council so to start off with you’ll have a skeleton squad to get you through earlier missions. As you progress though you can recruit resistance members, building your army with a ragtag band of fighters. These soldiers can be customised, with a vast array of editing options being available, including being able to customise their weapons.

The demo didn’t show off any combat but it detailed something called dark events. These are events that benefit the aliens, showing them attempting to make special armour or making their enemies stronger. The events change every time you play and you can attempt to stop them, hindering their progress.

Whilst XCOM 2 might not revamp the series in any significant way, the changes that were shown at gamescom were enough to breathe new life into the game. The tactical options afforded from the Avenger look interesting and the setting of an alien occupied Earth coupled with resistance warriors will surely make the game dynamic and tense. Fans should look forward to XCOM 2 when it launches for PC next year on 5th February.