XCOM 2 or War of the Chosen: Which Should You Play First?
So, you’re ready to jump into the intense, strategic world of XCOM, but you’re facing a dilemma: Should you launch XCOM 2 or dive straight into XCOM 2: War of the Chosen (WotC)? The answer, while not entirely straightforward, leans heavily towards starting with the base game, XCOM 2. Here’s why:
The primary reason is fundamental understanding. XCOM 2 is a complex game with a steep learning curve. It requires players to grasp key concepts like cover, flanking, class abilities, enemy behaviors, and base management. War of the Chosen, while an expansion, throws additional layers of complexity on top of this foundation. Jumping into WotC without this baseline knowledge will likely lead to frustration, repeated failures, and ultimately a less enjoyable experience. You’ll be overwhelmed not just by the strategic decisions but by the sheer number of new systems and mechanics introduced by the expansion.
Think of it as building a house: you need a strong foundation before adding extra rooms. XCOM 2 is that foundation. Once you have a firm grasp of the core mechanics, understanding how WotC enhances them becomes much easier.
Furthermore, XCOM 2’s original narrative is fantastic and worth experiencing in its purest form. It sets the stage for the entire story and allows you to fully appreciate the enhancements made by War of the Chosen. Playing WotC first might diminish the impact of the original campaign’s narrative.
Therefore, the recommendation is clear: Start with XCOM 2. Complete at least one campaign before venturing into War of the Chosen. This approach allows you to learn the ropes, appreciate the story’s nuances, and truly grasp the depth and breadth of the XCOM 2 universe.
Understanding the Differences
To further illustrate why starting with the base game is better, let’s look at the core differences:
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XCOM 2: The vanilla game focuses on the core struggle against the alien occupation. You’ll learn how to manage your base, research technologies, develop your squad, and fight tactical battles. This is a pure, focused introduction to XCOM mechanics.
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XCOM 2: War of the Chosen: This expansion significantly alters the game by adding new enemies, known as the Chosen, new hero classes (Reapers, Skirmishers, and Templars), a fatigue system, a resistance faction system, and more. It drastically changes the pacing and difficulty, making the early game arguably tougher than vanilla. These additions significantly change the campaign structure and mission flow.
How War of the Chosen Enhances XCOM 2
WotC integrates with the base game, meaning it’s not a separate experience, but rather a major expansion that reshapes XCOM 2. It adds a lot more complexity and a greater range of mission types. These enhancements, while excellent, are most enjoyable once you have a good base understanding of the mechanics within the base game. The expansion also allows you to integrate its content via optional narrative content, like “Lost and Abandoned,” “The Nest,” and “Shen’s Last Gift” when starting a new campaign.
A Recommended Playthrough Order
Here’s the recommended order for your XCOM experience:
- XCOM 2 (Vanilla): Start here. Play through the main campaign to learn the game’s core mechanics and experience the original story.
- XCOM 2: War of the Chosen: Once you are comfortable with the vanilla gameplay, jump into WotC. You’ll appreciate the changes and added challenges.
- Optional Content: Enable optional content such as “Lost and Abandoned” and “Shen’s Last Gift” when starting a new WotC campaign to experience the added narrative content.
- XCOM 2 with Mods (Optional): After experiencing both, you can explore the world of mods, such as Long War of the Chosen (which may be more challenging and is a significant game change) to tailor your gameplay experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide additional insight into this topic:
1. Can I play War of the Chosen without playing XCOM 2 first?
While you can, it’s not recommended. You’ll likely struggle with the fundamental gameplay mechanics, making for a frustrating and overwhelming experience. Playing the base game first provides the necessary foundation.
2. Is War of the Chosen just an expansion, or is it a completely separate game?
War of the Chosen is an expansion that integrates into XCOM 2. It’s not a standalone title. It changes the game significantly, but it’s still built upon the base game’s mechanics.
3. Is XCOM 2: War of the Chosen harder than the base game?
Yes and no. The early game in WotC is often considered harder due to the introduction of the Chosen and their unique abilities. However, once you acquire their weapons and powerful hero classes, the late game may become easier compared to vanilla XCOM 2. Overall, WotC presents a more challenging and dynamic experience.
4. Do I need to play XCOM: Enemy Unknown/Within before XCOM 2?
No, you don’t. XCOM 2 provides enough background on the story, but playing XCOM: Enemy Unknown and its expansion, Enemy Within, will deepen your understanding of the XCOM universe. However, it is not a requirement.
5. Can you lose Chosen weapons in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?
Yes, Chosen weapons are unique and can be permanently lost if the soldier carrying them is killed and not successfully evacuated.
6. What are the Chosen?
The Chosen are powerful, unique, and persistent enemies introduced in War of the Chosen. They have unique abilities and can impact the strategic layer of the game, making them a constant threat.
7. What are the new hero classes in War of the Chosen?
War of the Chosen adds three new hero classes: Reapers, Skirmishers, and Templars, each with unique abilities and play styles.
8. Does the Long War 2 mod work with War of the Chosen?
No, the original Long War 2 mod is NOT compatible with War of the Chosen. There is a separate unofficial version being developed but is not an easy download.
9. Is XCOM 2: War of the Chosen canon?
Yes, XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is considered canon within the XCOM universe, which includes XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM: Chimera Squad.
10. How long does it take to beat XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?
On average, it takes about 34.5 hours to beat the main objectives of WotC, and around 74.5 hours for 100% completion.
11. What are the best classes in XCOM 2?
While preferences vary, the Reaper is often considered one of the strongest classes. Others that are high tier are the Grenadier and the Ranger.
12. Is XCOM 2 hard for beginners?
Yes, XCOM 2 can be quite difficult for newcomers. It has a steep learning curve, requiring players to quickly adapt to its strategic and tactical gameplay.
13. What should I research first in XCOM 2?
Prioritize Resist Comms -> Resistance Radio early in the game. Weapon research generally takes precedence over armor upgrades, and the Muton autopsy should be a priority once available.
14. What is the best Avenger facility to build first?
The Guerilla Tactics School (GTS) should typically be your first Avenger facility, enabling you to start training and upgrading your soldiers early on.
15. Do XCOM 2 and XCOM 1 have a connected story?
Yes, XCOM 2 is a sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown/Within. The story of XCOM 2 is set 20 years after the events of the first game, with the alien invasion succeeding and humanity being under alien control.
In conclusion, start with XCOM 2 to build a strong foundation, experience the original story, and be better prepared for the challenges and enhancements of War of the Chosen. Enjoy your XCOM journey!