Game developers 2K and Firaxis Games have announced that the futuristic, turn-based tactical game XCOM 2 Collection has been released on the PC, Mac and Linux. It has also been confirmed via Twitter that the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions will be hitting the shelves sometime this year.
According to the recent announcement, the collection has a standard price of $49.99 and includes the original game of XCOM 2 alongside its popular expansion War of the Chosen, and the four previously released downloadable content (DLC): Resistance Warrior, Anarchy's Children, Alien Hunters and Shen's Last Gift.
Each DLC will have its own unique features and add-ons that will introduce a new dimension and add more depth to the game. The official description for each DLC are as follows:
Resistance Warrior Pack: Customize your squad of resistance fighters with a set of bonus outfits and head gear, as well as custom armor and face camo. Instantly unlock a survivor of the old war as a new recruit in your barracks.
Anarchy's Children: This rebellion-themed content pack introduces more than 100 new exotic customizations for the entire arsenal of armors available to your XCOM soldiers. These options are purely cosmetic and do not alter the stats of a soldier.
Alien Hunters: Transform the soldiers of XCOM into an elite alien hunting squad with impressive new weapons and armor to face off against new alien Rulers that will pursue your squad across an entire campaign. Additional cosmetic upgrades to soldiers and the Avenger are included, as well as a new epic mission where Central Officer Bradford leads a squad with the guidance of an old friend.
Shen's Last Gift: Investigate ADVENT's "Lost Towers" facility where Chief Engineer Lily Shen accompanies your squad in search of her late father's secretive final project. Discover a unique new soldier class complete with powerful new combat abilities, strategy mechanics, and customization options.
The story of XCOM 2 focuses on humanity's fight against the invasion of Earth by an alien race. The player must gather and lead a hastily assembled army of freedom fighters to exterminate the aliens and liberate humans from tyranny and oppression because rather than the life-changing technological advances and the bright future for all of humanity that the invaders have promised, the alien race instead brought slavery and destruction to the planet.
Video game news and reviews website PlayStation Lifestyle gave the original XCOM 2 a score of 8.5 out of 10 and cited several positive experiences in playing the game such as its addictive and extremely challenging strategy-based gameplay and the emotional attachment on characters that the player built up. The reviewers also cited the dynamic element of the battles, saying that every playthrough provides a different experience. The only drawbacks they have found are the slow loading times and sudden frame drops during the game's cutscenes.
Mike Mahardy of IGN gave the game 9 out of 10 rating, calling XCOM 2 a superb game due to its layered tactical themes, and deep character building gives the player a realistic connection to his troops, making them feel that they are truly part of the game. The popular expansion pack, War of the Chosen, was given the same rating due to the more intense battles and amped-up gameplay that boost the thrilling experience the original game had to offer.
War of the Chosen, which will be included in the XCOM 2 Collection release, will allow the player to recruit three members from three additional factions: The Skirmishers, The Reapers, and the Templars, all of which have their own unique skills and abilities and contrasting philosophies. Recruiting from any of these factions will allow the player to obtain powerful soldiers to aid them in combat, as well as add a new layer to their strategy.
There is no specific date set for the console versions' release, only that the developers mentioned that the game is "coming soon" to PlayStation 4 (PS4) and Xbox One.
