Solid game. I have played more on someone else's computer than what actually shows up for mine. The research system is interesting, and rewards you for not using explosive weapons, as does the engineering. This makes the game more challenging, as explosives will like 99% of the time, assuming no user error, be able to kill most enemies, especially when combined together.

The game on its base level is pretty difficult, though not impossible. It requires good decision making, rapid decision making, and knowing when to sacrifice people's lives in order to accomplish a mission, and when to sacrifice the mission instead. You can get this game on sale pretty often, with all of the dlc bundled in. I can also recommend the dlc, as they are well made, and add additional variety, and options to the gameplay formula.

In the base game you can be expected to face a rapidly escalating battle, especially on your first playthrough, with enemies popping up in different places, and forcing you to change your strategy. You will take losses, and the hardest part is managing who to put at risk, and who not to. There is also a decent character editor available for the game, however I wouldn't suggest you put too much time in to designing the individual characters, unless you have one or two that you will particularly prioritize above all others. I designed a simple uniform of the skul helmet, armor 3, black camo, and it seemed to work fine for the grunts. Playing smartly, without putting units at undue risk, I lost three people in less than ten missions.

RNG will kick your ass occasionally, and that is generally the leading cause of my characters dying. But, it also spices things up a bit. When you get a Rookie that gets quite a few lucky shots in, they will begin to snowball, as they begin to level up they will become stronger and stronger, and you should prioritize gearing them up so they can continue becoming stronger. Don't put all of your eggs into one basket, it is possible for an entire squad to be ahnialated, especially if you are playing on the harder difficulties.

The game has solid graphics, a good eery vibe, and sets the tone for a survival story against invading aliens very well. You will build up an ant-farm like base, while managing new recruits, resources, research, and which troops to deploy, and how to outfit them. Combat plays out in a turn-based scenario, where all of your units go, and then all of their's. If you aren't in cover you are dead. If you are in cover and RNGesus decides its your time, you are also dead. As I said earlier, explosives will deny you some of the much needed resources, and I really don't bother with them unless its a life or death situation. If you are about to lose a soldier, it's generally better to take out the enemy with a grenade or rocket, rather than risk losing said soldier.

The game plays well on my ♥♥♥♥♥♥ old computer, and equally well (remember I played it on someone else's high endish computer) on high graphics, as well as low. You will notice some framerate issues if your computer is as ♥♥♥♥♥♥ as mine (can you run it said I can't play it, obviously untrue). The cutscenes are well made, and upgrading technology feels like an important step in securing humanity's future.

For first time players I suggest Ironman Impossible, as just ask anyone on YouTube, it's the easiest setting for the game. If you are wondering which game to buy, Xcom or Xcom 2, I would suggest both if possible, and if only one I would say get Xcom 2. Xcom 2 won't require you to have played #1 to understand, has a better character customization system, and overall has improvements throughout the board.

I would suggest this game for anyone that likes or is the following:

Hardcore Strategy Player
SciFi lover
Alien Killer
Platform Player, like Mario, Underfail, or Sonic, cuz lets be honest you need to play a real game for once :O
Masochist, because boy will there be pain
And finally, if you like games such as Fire Emblem on the handhelds, this game is quite similar to them, at least the older ones where perma death happens, not the newer ones where we wimp out instead.

Solid game. I have played more on someone else's computer than what actually shows up for mine. The research system is interesting, and rewards you for not using explosive weapons, as does the engineering. This makes the game more challenging, as explosives will like 99% of the time, assuming no user error, be able to kill most enemies, especially when combined together. The game on its base level is pretty difficult, though not impossible. It requires good decision making, rapid decision making, and knowing when to sacrifice people's lives in order to accomplish a mission, and when to sacrifice the mission instead. You can get this game on sale pretty often, with all of the dlc bundled in. I can also recommend the dlc, as they are well made, and add additional variety, and options to the gameplay formula. In the base game you can be expected to face a rapidly escalating battle, especially on your first playthrough, with enemies popping up in different places, and forcing you to change your strategy. You will take losses, and the hardest part is managing who to put at risk, and who not to. There is also a decent character editor available for the game, however I wouldn't suggest you put too much time in to designing the individual characters, unless you have one or two that you will particularly prioritize above all others. I designed a simple uniform of the skul helmet, armor 3, black camo, and it seemed to work fine for the grunts. Playing smartly, without putting units at undue risk, I lost three people in less than ten missions. RNG will kick your ass occasionally, and that is generally the leading cause of my characters dying. But, it also spices things up a bit. When you get a Rookie that gets quite a few lucky shots in, they will begin to snowball, as they begin to level up they will become stronger and stronger, and you should prioritize gearing them up so they can continue becoming stronger. Don't put all of your eggs into one basket, it is possible for an entire squad to be ahnialated, especially if you are playing on the harder difficulties. The game has solid graphics, a good eery vibe, and sets the tone for a survival story against invading aliens very well. You will build up an ant-farm like base, while managing new recruits, resources, research, and which troops to deploy, and how to outfit them. Combat plays out in a turn-based scenario, where all of your units go, and then all of their's. If you aren't in cover you are dead. If you are in cover and RNGesus decides its your time, you are also dead. As I said earlier, explosives will deny you some of the much needed resources, and I really don't bother with them unless its a life or death situation. If you are about to lose a soldier, it's generally better to take out the enemy with a grenade or rocket, rather than risk losing said soldier. The game plays well on my shitty old computer, and equally well (remember I played it on someone else's high endish computer) on high graphics, as well as low. You will notice some framerate issues if your computer is as shitty as mine (can you run it said I can't play it, obviously untrue). The cutscenes are well made, and upgrading technology feels like an important step in securing humanity's future. For first time players I suggest Ironman Impossible, as just ask anyone on YouTube, it's the easiest setting for the game. If you are wondering which game to buy, Xcom or Xcom 2, I would suggest both if possible, and if only one I would say get Xcom 2. Xcom 2 won't require you to have played #1 to understand, has a better character customization system, and overall has improvements throughout the board. I would suggest this game for anyone that likes or is the following: Hardcore Strategy Player SciFi lover Alien Killer Platform Player, like Mario, Underfail, or Sonic, cuz lets be honest you need to play a real game for once :O Masochist, because boy will there be pain And finally, if you like games such as Fire Emblem on the handhelds, this game is quite similar to them, at least the older ones where perma death happens, not the newer ones where we wimp out instead.