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***Update 2 – 2015-09-14 – 23:57 CEST***

I´m probably not the only XCOM fan who drooled a lot while watching the new XCOM2 video from Firaxis Mega Panel at PAX Prime. Then again, who can blame me for doing so? As XCOM2 is shaping up really nicely. And I truly like the weapons that were showcased in the video as well (heavy guns and explosives). However, by the looks of it. Your going to need all the weapons (and soldiers) that you can get your hands on. As you will be outnumbered by the Alien invaders. In other words, one must be smart in order to stay alive.

Correct, XCOM 2 is set for a release in February next year (exclusively to PC).

Anyhow, please enjoy the new video for XCOM 2 =)

“The Firaxis Games teams behind XCOM 2 and Rising Tide spoke at PAX Prime recently on varying approaches to design while also providing fans with an in-depth look at Rising Tide’s new diplomacy system and Hybrid Affinities, as well as revealing new aliens and enemies fans can look forward to in XCOM 2.” – Firaxis

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***Update 1 – 2015-08-20 – 18:45 CEST***

2K Games has finally released a new gameplay video (the video is about 12 minutes long) for Firaxis PC-exclusive sequel to XCom (XCom 2 will be released to Windows, MAC and Linux this November), and so far I have to say that the game looks really impressing. However, there is some “concerns” which I would like to bring to your attention. And most of those concerns were nailed down by a Youtube user called F10F11hm:

“Honestly, the strategic layer and base building, while slightly improved, still feel just barebones compared to the original X-COM. In Julian Gollop’s game, there was actual strategy, depth and planning (the option to build multiple bases helped, among other things), here, while there seems to be a bit more freedom compared to the 2012 reboot, everything feels like “more of the same” – the ant farm (only one base again, how does that make sense, you’d think a guerilla group fighting aliens all over the world would have a better chance of survival by establishing multiple bases of operations…), geoscape with its limited choices… also, I fear the strategy layer will once again suffer due to the utterly forced, restricting insistance on telling a shoddy “story”. And that’s just not what strategy games should be about. It’s fine if there is a background, lore, a world structure, a goal to work towards (see X-Com, Jagged Alliance 2, Civ games) but the “stories” should be up to the player to shape.

Besides, what’s with the UI being a carbon copy of what we could see in XCOM?… That thing was ludicrously tailored towards gamepad controls (strange button placement, giantic fonts, tiny lists requiring constant scrolling), and I thought XCOM2 was being created with PC in mind? PR speak, eh?

Overall, this sequel feels very “safe”, it seems to focus on mere refinement of various (not necessarily best) ideas introduced in 2012’s reboot instead of actual, noticeable improvement. For instance: ditch the restricting, shallow and boring “2-actions per turn” system, introduce proper inventories, make better use of destructible environments (seriously, 2004 Silent Storm has yet to be matched in this regard) etc.” – F10F11hm

Yep, the “ant farm view” is a part of the “X-Com 2 base building” gameplay experience (just like it was in XCOM Enemy Unknown).

I have to say that F10F11hm is right about this (it´s fair and justified critique, in my opinion), as it´s something which I (and other XCom fans) have been asking for since XCOM Enemy Unknown title. And anyone who has played any of the old school turn-based X-Com titles, knows more than well that those games were pretty hardcore. So I get the idea what the fans want to see more (and less of) in XCom 2. However, I´m not quite sure if Firaxis will be able to implement all that stuff before XCOM 2 (which runs on a heavily modified version of Unreal Engine 3) gets released in November this year (as it´s just three months away from now).

Meet Lilly Chang, your chief engineer.

As for the positive aspects of XCom 2 (uptil this point). I really like the narrative voice of the game, and the neat ant farm view is back (it´s been improved). I also like that you can now use advanced drones as support units in battle, you will also have the ability to customize your weapons (colors, upgrades) and battle crew, speaking of soldiers. There isn´t much left of humanity in XCOM 2, so you (the player) will have to use whatever you got at your disposal (no matter if it civilians, cops or combat vets). As you will need every single combat willing person there is, in-order to build a strong global resistance force (the Aliens has taken control over our planet in XCom 2).

It looks like Ramirez is ready to kick some alien asses.

I really love the fact that you can upgrade and even change the look of your weapons in X-Com 2.

Because in XCOM 2 you´re heavily outnumbered by the alien invaders. So there is a “rebel theme” of sorts in XCOM 2. So one must be smart in-order to win victories in the battle against our alien dictators (for example, you can hack robot cannons and use it against the aliens in battle). Not only that, it´s really important that you make the right calls in terms of WHO you should help as well. For example. It´s a high priority to help your allies, because if you don´t do that. You will have an even harder task to take back earth from the aliens. And based on what´s been said in the “Official XCOM 2 “Welcome to the Avenger” Gameplay” video, humanity doesn’t have any weapon factories left (in XCOM 2 the weapon factory closed down 20 years ago). In other words, kill the aliens with what you got and pick up their weapons and use them against them.

If you want to save humanity from the Alien threat, then you have to protect your allies at all cost.

I´m also glad to inform you that the cinematic camera views are back in XCOM 2 as well, nice indeed. However, my favorite XCOM 2 feature so far would be a brand-new map system in XCOM 2. Which generates a new battle environment every single time you head out for a new mission (in other words, it won´t feel like your playing the same-old map over and over again). Besides that, I’m really excited to fight the new alien enemies in XCOM 2 (from what I’ve been told, the A.i has been upgraded in XCOM 2. So the aliens won´t use the same tactics and attacks repeatedly). I´m also quite curious to find out how “mod friendly” XCOM 2 will be, since 2K Games and Firaxis has stated that XCOM 2 will get an almost eternal lifespan thanks to the games open (and friendly) mod support.

Well, we will know for sure this November. So, what do you guys and girls think about the new XCOM 2 video? And are you excited about the game?

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“The moment of truth” indeed, because It’s now official that 2K Games and Firaxis “Advent” was really “XCOM 2” (Windows, MAC and Linux) in disguise. It also seems like I was right about my “X-Com Apocalypse” vibes as well. As all the pictures (and the “XCOM 2” trailer) look and feel like a nextgen version of “X-COM Apocalypse”. That makes me really happy of course, here´s the thing though.

It seems like there will be be no space battles nor any underwater battles In XCOM 2. However, there will be really intense and action-packed urban battles instead. And there’s more good news to be told as well as well, because XCOM 2 is set for a release in November this year. So what´s the background story in “XCOM 2”? Well, Firaxis has painted a really dark and grim future for the human race in XCOM 2 (the story takes place 20 years after XCOM Enemy Unknown), as the alien invaders have finally been successful in their attempts to invade earth.

So that means that the humans have become something of second-class citizens on earth (how rude!). Have no worries though, as XCOM has been re-established (of course) in XCOM 2. And this is what 2K Games press release relieved about XCOM 2:

XCOM 2 press release:
“XCOM 2 transports players 20 years into the future, where humanity lost the war against the alien threat that has established a new world order. The secret paramilitary organization known as XCOM is largely forgotten, and must strike back to reclaim control of Earth and free mankind from the aliens’ rule. XCOM 2 is currently scheduled for release in November 2015. The game will also be coming to Mac and Linux via Feral Interactive.

In XCOM 2, the roles have been reversed, and XCOM is now the invading force. They are hampered by limited resources and must constantly evade the alien threat in their new mobile headquarters. Players must use a combination of firepower and stealth-like tactics to help XCOM recruit soldiers and build a resistance network, while attempting to expose the evil alien agenda and save humanity. XCOM 2 will introduce gameplay features such as procedurally-generated levels, which will make each experience unique to the player, as well as offer a much deeper level of modding support. Additionally, XCOM 2 will offer a variety of new content including five updated soldier classes, increased soldier customization, more alien and enemy types, evolved tactical combat and more.”

Don´t get fooled by this soldiers human-like look. As he might just be an alien in disguise.

In other words, this means that we (the humans) will be the underdogs in XCOM 2 (outnumbered and outgunned). To be honest though, i have had that feeling ever since the very first X-Com game got released back in 1993. Anyhow, the world of XCOM 2 really shows what 20 years of alien influence can do to a planet (our planet in this case).

So It’s about time that we free the human race from It’s slavery, and the road to liberation starts in November!

XCOM 2 information via 2K Games:
“Watch the explosive announcement trailer for XCOM 2. Twenty years have passed since humanity lost the war against the alien invaders and a new world order now exists under the enforcement of the ADVENT. After years of lurking in the shadows, the time has come for the remnant XCOM forces to rise and reclaim control of Earth.

XCOM 2 is the sequel to the 2012 Game of the Year, award-winning strategy game, XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Earth has changed. Twenty years have passed since world leaders offered an unconditional surrender to alien forces and XCOM, the planet’s last line of defense, was left decimated and scattered. Now the aliens rule Earth, building shining cities that promise a brilliant future for humanity on the surface, while concealing a sinister agenda below and eliminating all who dissent from their new order. Only those who live at the edges of the world have a margin of freedom. Here, a force gathers once again to stand up for humanity. Always on the run, the remnant XCOM forces must find a way to rise from the ashes, expose the insidious truth behind the occupation, and eliminate the alien threat once and for all.”

Robin “V-Act” Ek
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround