For years I avoided this genre of games thinking I would find them boring, boy was I wrong. I have since played several turn based games, but this is the one I return to the most thanks to its deep customisation, scifi/post apocalyptic settings, action/tactics, cinematic presentations, destructive environments and more.

It is not all positive though.

The base Xcom 2 game is fun but very frustrating with a difficulty curve that bounces all over the place where it is very quick at tipping the odds against you resulting in major casualties and making it very hard to recover, sometimes impossible to recover, this being on easy too (I know, I know....get good).

After multiple failed attempts at the base game I tried the DLC War of the Chosen, this is a game changer. More in depth, more ways of levelling up your soldiers, seemingly more balanced (but still has difficulty spikes) and even though still grindy I would say progression in technologies, skills and overall player power is faster making the game even more fun.

The Advent feature is still in game, but seems more manageable in preventing their progress, now we also have the "Chosen" to tackle as well. Up to now I have defeated them in every encounter, but they are making major progress despite my efforts in their tactics, knowledge and abilities making them an increasing threat while also trying to control the Advent.

If your playing for the first time and struggling with the base game, get the War of the Chosen DLC, up to now I would say it is the definitive way of playing XCom 2.

Just be aware though, there are still some little bugs and ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥:
Two times a building has been destroyed under one of my soldiers, but thanks to a glitch causing a static small texture to remain, my soldier has been left stuck in mid air unable to move forcing me to have to roll back or abandon the mission.

The Venom snake things can tongue grapple you through most solid walls/barriers even without line of site resulting in frustration.

Your soldiers can be dumb, a straight forward target right in front of them with high chance of hit and no obstructions, yet they regularly still miss.....this is dumb.

Sometimes proximity mines fail to trigger even when the enemy moves inside its zone. This can be true when using your Reapers cone of view watch too, enemies can pass through the cone yet my Reaper has failed to respond.

There are some other minor ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and bugs. Clearly the devs wont be ironing them out now.

Still this is a great and engaging game and if you get it in a sale be prepared for hours of fun.

For years I avoided this genre of games thinking I would find them boring, boy was I wrong. I have since played several turn based games, but this is the one I return to the most thanks to its deep customisation, scifi/post apocalyptic settings, action/tactics, cinematic presentations, destructive environments and more. It is not all positive though. The base Xcom 2 game is fun but very frustrating with a difficulty curve that bounces all over the place where it is very quick at tipping the odds against you resulting in major casualties and making it very hard to recover, sometimes impossible to recover, this being on easy too (I know, I know....get good). After multiple failed attempts at the base game I tried the DLC War of the Chosen, this is a game changer. More in depth, more ways of levelling up your soldiers, seemingly more balanced (but still has difficulty spikes) and even though still grindy I would say progression in technologies, skills and overall player power is faster making the game even more fun. The Advent feature is still in game, but seems more manageable in preventing their progress, now we also have the "Chosen" to tackle as well. Up to now I have defeated them in every encounter, but they are making major progress despite my efforts in their tactics, knowledge and abilities making them an increasing threat while also trying to control the Advent. If your playing for the first time and struggling with the base game, get the War of the Chosen DLC, up to now I would say it is the definitive way of playing XCom 2. Just be aware though, there are still some little bugs and niggles: Two times a building has been destroyed under one of my soldiers, but thanks to a glitch causing a static small texture to remain, my soldier has been left stuck in mid air unable to move forcing me to have to roll back or abandon the mission. The Venom snake things can tongue grapple you through most solid walls/barriers even without line of site resulting in frustration. Your soldiers can be dumb, a straight forward target right in front of them with high chance of hit and no obstructions, yet they regularly still miss.....this is dumb. Sometimes proximity mines fail to trigger even when the enemy moves inside its zone. This can be true when using your Reapers cone of view watch too, enemies can pass through the cone yet my Reaper has failed to respond. There are some other minor niggles and bugs. Clearly the devs wont be ironing them out now. Still this is a great and engaging game and if you get it in a sale be prepared for hours of fun.