Are There Zombies in XCOM 2? Unraveling the Undead Presence
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Yes, there are zombies in XCOM 2, though they aren’t the traditional, flesh-eating hordes you might immediately picture from popular culture. These undead foes, known as Psi Zombies, are reanimated corpses of humanoid units, primarily ADVENT Troopers. They are brought back to a semblance of life through the psionic powers of certain alien enemies like Sectoids and Gatekeepers. While they share visual similarities and animations with the zombies from the previous game, their behavior and role in the game are unique to the XCOM 2 universe. They serve as a constant reminder of the brutal alien occupation and the lengths the enemy will go to in their efforts to crush humanity’s resistance.
What Are Psi Zombies?
The Nature of Reanimation
Psi Zombies are not the result of a disease or infection; they are psionically resurrected corpses. A Sectoid or Gatekeeper can expend its own psychic energy to bring fallen ADVENT soldiers (or other humanoids) back into battle. These zombified units are essentially mindless drones, devoid of their former personalities and driven only by their reanimator’s will.
Characteristics of Psi Zombies
These creatures are typically slow-moving and possess only a melee attack. They can close the distance to your soldiers, but lack ranged weaponry or other tactical abilities. While their lack of mobility and varied attacks may seem like a disadvantage, they are still dangerous when encountered in large numbers or used as a distraction.
Role in Gameplay
Psi Zombies serve primarily as an annoyance and a threat to your soldiers’ positioning. While not as dangerous individually as other units, a group of them can easily overwhelm a soldier if they are caught out in the open. They are especially useful for the aliens as a way to flank, block routes and can effectively soak up damage. They are also a reminder of the brutal nature of the alien occupation and their disregard for human life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Zombies in XCOM 2
1. How do Psi Zombies differ from traditional zombies?
Unlike typical zombies, Psi Zombies are not driven by hunger or a need to consume flesh. They are essentially puppets controlled by the psychic powers of aliens. They don’t spread their reanimation through bites or scratches but rather are created by Sectoid and Gatekeeper actions. Traditional zombies may exist due to virus, parasite or other natural causes.
2. Are Psi Zombies always a threat in XCOM 2?
Psi Zombies are not an enemy that shows up from the beginning, they are tied to certain enemy encounters. They are most common when facing Sectoids or Gatekeepers, which can make them less frequent during the beginning phases of the game but become more common later on. Their presence is a consistent threat that you will have to be wary of, especially as enemy encounters become more complicated with the introduction of more dangerous alien foes.
3. Can Psi Zombies be killed permanently?
Yes, Psi Zombies can be killed permanently, though they will remain as corpses on the battlefield which can cause obstructions for your soldiers. Eliminating the Sectoid or Gatekeeper that reanimated them does not revert them into being non-zombies. Normal attacks can take them down just as they do for other enemies.
4. Do Psi Zombies have any special abilities?
Aside from being reanimated, they do not have any special abilities. They are limited to slow movement and a melee attack. They are primarily a distraction unit, to draw away soldier fire while the aliens take better positions.
5. Can my soldiers be turned into Psi Zombies?
No, XCOM soldiers cannot be reanimated as Psi Zombies by enemies. Only humanoids who are enemies of XCOM such as ADVENT Troopers are reanimated using psionic abilities.
6. Are Psi Zombies different in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?
The War of the Chosen expansion does not change the nature of Psi Zombies. They behave exactly as they did in the original game. The focus of the expansion lies in the addition of new factions, Chosen enemies, and gameplay mechanics, rather than major changes to pre-existing enemies like Psi Zombies.
7. How many types of Zombies are in XCOM 2?
There is only one type of zombie unit in XCOM 2: the Psi Zombie. The appearance of this zombie unit may vary based on the soldier that it is created from.
8. Is the concept of zombies important to the plot of XCOM 2?
While the Psi Zombie mechanic does play a role in how the game plays, it is not a major part of the overall story or plot of XCOM 2. They are an enemy unit, used in some encounters, but not relevant to any main storylines within the game. They are mostly used to highlight the lengths the aliens will go to, to make their occupation of Earth a success, as well as a tool for enemies like Sectoids and Gatekeepers to control the battlefield.
9. Are there any mods that alter the Psi Zombies?
Yes, many mods available for XCOM 2 modify Psi Zombies in various ways. Some mods might give them new abilities, change their appearance, or make them more or less challenging. Mods can be a great way to extend the life of the game by adding your own take on familiar enemies.
10. When do Psi Zombies start appearing in the game?
Psi Zombies begin to appear when you begin encountering Sectoids and Gatekeepers. These enemies are not typically seen during the very first missions, but the Sectoids show up relatively early in the campaign, and bring the potential of spawning Psi Zombies along with them.
11. Are Psi Zombies inspired by other zombie fiction?
While visually they are similar to some classic zombie designs, their method of creation using psionic abilities, rather than the traditional zombie virus, makes them a different kind of undead. They take some influence from the previous XCOM Enemy Unknown’s zombies, but the design of them is more about gameplay than from a specific piece of zombie fiction.
12. Are Psi Zombies faster than regular enemy units?
No, Psi Zombies are actually slower than most other enemy units. This slow movement makes them less of a threat individually. However, they make up for their slowness by being used in large groups, or as a distraction for more dangerous enemy units.
13. How do you handle an encounter with several Psi Zombies?
The most effective way to handle groups of Psi Zombies is to use cover and long range weaponry. Explosives are also a good method to take out several of them at once, however be careful not to destroy too much cover in the process. Focus on eliminating the enemies that spawn them first if possible, which are Sectoids and Gatekeepers.
14. Do Psi Zombies have any tactical advantages for the aliens?
Psi Zombies are useful for the aliens as a distraction unit. By bringing back fallen soldiers, they can block your soldiers paths, and force them to waste precious turns dealing with a slow, but still persistent threat. They also allow the aliens to create flanking opportunities, as your soldiers are drawn to dealing with the reanimated enemies.
15. Why did the developers include Psi Zombies in XCOM 2?
The inclusion of Psi Zombies was likely to add another layer of challenge and tactical consideration for players, in addition to giving certain enemies another option in battle. It also serves to highlight the alien’s disregard for human life and their willingness to use whatever means necessary to win.